Florea Dumitrache
{{short description|Romanian professional footballer}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Florea Dumitrache
| image = Florea Dumitrache.jpg
| upright = 0.9
| caption = Dumitrache with Dinamo București
| fullname = Florea Dumitrache
| birth_date = {{Birth date |1948|5|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bucharest, Romania
| death_date = {{death date and age|2007|4|26|1948|2|22|df=y}}
| death_place = Bucharest, Romania
| height = 1.74 m
| position = Striker
| youthyears1 = 1961–1963
| youthyears2 = 1963–1964
| youthyears3 = 1964–1965
| youthclubs1 = Rapid București
| youthclubs2 = TUG București
| youthclubs3 = Dinamo București
| years1 = 1965–1976
| years2 = 1976–1979
| years3 = 1979–1983
| years4 = 1983–1984
| clubs1 = Dinamo București
| clubs2 = Jiul Petroșani
| clubs3 = Corvinul Hunedoara
| clubs4 = Minerul Știința Vulcan
| caps1 = 208
| caps2 = 80
| caps3 = 103
| caps4 =
| totalcaps = 381
| goals1 = 115
| goals2 = 37
| goals3 = 42
| goals4 =
| totalgoals = 185
| nationalyears1 = 1968–1974{{Cite news|title=Florea Dumitrache – Goals in International Matches|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/dumitrache-intlg.html}}
| nationalteam1 = Romania
| nationalcaps1 = 31
| nationalgoals1 = 15
}}
Florea Dumitrache (22 May 1948 – 26 April 2007) was a Romanian professional footballer who played as a striker.
Dumitrache spent most of his senior career at Dinamo București, appearing in over 200 league matches and winning three national titles and one national cup. Internationally, he earned 31 caps for the Romania national team and scored 15 goals.
He was considered one of the best forwards in Europe during his time, and was well known for his technique and aerial ability.
Italian club Juventus wanted to sign Dumitrache after his performance at the 1970 World Cup but Nicolae Ceaușescu's communist regime refused.
Club career
Dumitrache was born in Bucharest on 22 May 1948, having been nicknamed since his childhood "Mopsul" (The pug) because of his nose that looked like one of a pug.{{RomanianSoccer|652/florea-dumitrache}}{{cite web | url=https://www.fanatik.ro/mopsul-dumitrache-dribla-orice-adversar-nu-si-alcoolul-ar-fi-implinit-70-de-ani-17900499 | title="Mopsul" Dumitrache dribla orice adversar. Nu și alcoolul. Ar fi împlinit 70 de ani…| publisher=Fanatik.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title="The pug" Dumitrache dribbled past any opponent. But not alcohol. He would have turned 70…| date=23 May 2018 | access-date=9 November 2021}}{{cite web| url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/diverse/10-ani-fara-mops-trei-povesti-mai-putin-stiute-cu-florea-dumitrache-cum-s-a-ales-cu-porecla-si-cum-a-trecut-un-examen-doar-cu-un-pom-desenat-508794.html| title=10 ani fără "Mops". Trei povești mai puțin știute cu Florea Dumitrache: cum s-a ales cu porecla și cum a trecut un examen doar cu un pom desenat| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=ro |trans-title=10 years without "The pug". Three lesser known stories with Florea Dumitrache: how he got the nickname and how he passed an exam only with a drawn tree| date=26 April 2017| access-date=9 November 2021}}{{cite web| url=https://www.click.ro/news/national/marele-fotbalist-florea-dumitrache-fost-uitat-mopsul-murit-acum-12-ani| title=Marele fotbalist Florea Dumitrache a fost uitat! "Mopsul" a murit acum 12 ani| publisher=Click.ro| language=ro |trans-title=The great football player Florea Dumitrache has been forgotten! The "pug" died 12 years ago| date=25 April 2019| access-date=9 November 2021}} While playing for TUG București at junior level, he was seen by Dinamo București's coach Traian Ionescu who convinced him to come and play for his team.{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/news/sport/legendele-fotbalului-mopsul-s-a-irosit-alcool-1_50ad024e7c42d5a6638d7379/index.html | title=Legendele fotbalului: "Mopsul" s-a irosit în alcool| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Football legends: "Pug" wasted himself in alcohol| date=4 November 2011 | access-date=9 November 2021}} He made his Divizia A debut on 2 May 1966, playing for Dinamo București in a 1–1 with Dinamo Pitești. His first trophy won was the 1967–68 Cupa României, scoring a goal in the 3–1 victory from the final against Rapid București in which coach Bazil Marian used him the whole match.{{cite web | url=https://welovesport.ro/stiri/fotbal-vintage-povestea-unei-fabuloase-finale-de-cupa-27058 | title=Povestea unei fabuloase finale de Cupă| publisher=Welovesport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The story of a fabulous cup final| date=16 June 2023 | access-date=1 October 2024}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1967_1968.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 1967–1968|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=1 October 2024}} In the following three editions of the Cupa României, the team would reach the final in each of them, Dumitrache scoring a goal in each of the first two, all of them being lost in front of rivals Steaua București.{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1968_1969.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 1968–1969|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=1 October 2024}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1969_1970.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 1969–1970|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=1 October 2024}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1970_1971.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 1970–1971|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=1 October 2024}} Over the years he would score four more goals in the derby with Steaua in four victories from the league.{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/stiri/68333/dinamo-bucuresti-in-1968-69.htm|title=Dinamo Bucuresti in 1968–69|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=1 October 2024}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/stiri/68339/dinamo-bucuresti-in-1969-70.htm|title=Dinamo Bucuresti in 1969–70|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=1 October 2024}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/stiri/68342/dinamo-bucuresti-in-1972-73.htm|title=Dinamo Bucuresti in 1972–73| publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=1 October 2024}}
{{cite web | url=https://www.fcdb.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2265:derby-ul-de-a-lungul-timpului-iv&catid=29:istorie-statistica&Itemid=2 | title=Derby-ul de-a lungul timpului (IV)| publisher=Fcdb.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The derby over time (IV)| date=15 October 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604134935/https://www.fcdb.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2265:derby-ul-de-a-lungul-timpului-iv&catid=29:istorie-statistica&Itemid=2| access-date=1 October 2024| archive-date=4 June 2016}}
He won three league titles with The Red Dogs in 1971, 1973 and 1975, in the first he contributed with 15 goals scored in the 28 matches he was used by coaches Nicolae Dumitru and Ionescu, in the second he played 26 games and scored 15 goals under the guidance of Ion Nunweiller and in the third he made 10 appearances and scored four goals while working once again with Dumitru.{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/menu_items/champions.shtml|title=Romania National Champions |publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=1 October 2024}} During his period spent at Dinamo, Dumitrache also played 16 games and scored six goals in European competitions, including scoring once in a 11–0 win over Crusaders from the 1973–74 European Cup and helping the team earn a 1–0 home victory in front of Real Madrid in the 1975–76 European Cup.{{cite web| url=https://www.gsp.ro/international/europa-league/au-fost-hamburg-crusaders-real-madrid-inter-10-victorii-de-legenda-pentru-dinamo-in-europa-la-revenirea-cainilor-in-cupele-continentale-dupa-o-pauza-de-5-ani-516824.html| title=Au fost Hamburg, Crusaders, Real Madrid, Inter. 10 victorii de legendă pentru Dinamo în Europa la revenirea "câinilor" în cupele continentale după o pauză de 5 ani| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=There were Hamburg, Crusaders, Real Madrid, Inter. 10 legendary victories for Dinamo in Europe when the "dogs" returned to the continental cups after a 5-year break| date=26 July 2017| access-date=1 October 2024}}
{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/florea-dumitrache/champions-league-1975-1976/dinamo-bucuresti/3/|title=Florea Dumitrache. Champions League 1975/1976|access-date=1 October 2024}} He became the Divizia A top goalscorer twice, first in 1969 with 22 goals and the second in 1971, alongside Constantin Moldoveanu and Gheorghe Tătaru with 15 goals.{{cite web |url=http://www.romaniansoccer.ro/menu_items/topscorers.shtml |title=Top Scorers |publisher=Romaniansoccer.ro |access-date=1 October 2024 |language=Romanian}} Dumitrache won twice (1968, 1969) the Romanian Footballer of the Year award, also in 1970 along with Dinamo teammate Cornel Dinu he was nominated for the Ballon d'Or.{{Cite web|url= https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy70.html| title = European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 1970|first= José Luis|last = Pierrend| publisher = RSSSF|date= 1 February 2006| access-date = 15 December 2020}}{{cite web|author1=Razvan Toma|title=Romania – Player of the Year Awards|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/roempoy.html|access-date=1 October 2024|publisher=RSSSF|date=6 January 2016}}{{cite web| url=https://www.fanatik.ro/dumitru-macri-primul-fotbalist-roman-nominalizat-la-balonul-de-aur-gica-hagi-aproape-de-succes-in-1994-18552803| title=Dumitru Macri, primul fotbalist român nominalizat la Balonul de Aur! Gică Hagi, aproape de succes în 1994| publisher=Fanatik.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Dumitru Macri, the first Romanian footballer nominated for the Golden Ball! Gica Hagi, almost successful in 1994| date=30 November 2018| access-date=15 December 2020}} Italian club Juventus wanted to sign the 24 year-old Dumitrache after his performance at the 1970 World Cup, making an estimated $1.5 million offer for him, but Nicolae Ceaușescu's communist regime refused.{{cite web| url=http://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/media/visul-ratat-juventus-152018.html| title=Visul ratat: Juventus!| work=Gazeta Sporturilor| language=ro |trans-title=The missed dream: Juventus!| date=21 August 2009| access-date=9 November 2021}}
After spending 11 seasons at Dinamo, Dumitrache went to play for Jiul Petroșani where for three seasons he made a successful couple in the team's offence with Gheorghe Mulțescu, scoring 20 goals in his first season, being the league's second top-goalscorer, only behind former teammate, Dinamo's Dudu Georgescu who won the European Golden Shoe.{{cite web|url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/azi-dumitrache-ar-fi-implinit-74-de-ani-povestea-uimitorului-transfer-al-mopsului-de-la-dinamo-la-jiul-664344.html|title=Azi, Dumitrache ar fi împlinit 74 de ani. Povestea uimitorului transfer al "Mopsului" de la Dinamo la Jiul|publisher=Gsp.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=Today, Dumitrache would have turned 74 years old. The story of the amazing transfer of "The Pug" from Dinamo to Jiul| date=22 May 2022|access-date=1 October 2024}}{{Cite news|title=Golden Boot ("Soulier d'Or") Awards|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gboot.html|access-date=1 October 2024}} In 1979 he went at Divizia B club, Corvinul Hunedoara where his former Dinamo teammate, Mircea Lucescu was coaching, scoring 15 goals in his first season which helped the club earn promotion to the first league. After finishing third in the 1981–82 Divizia A season, he played all four games from Corvinul's 1982–83 UEFA Cup campaign, scoring once as they got past Grazer AK in the first round, being eliminated in the following one by FK Sarajevo against whom he also netted a goal but also in the second leg he headbutted referee Gianfranco Menegali in the mouth and as a consequence, he was handed the maximum seven year suspension from all UEFA competitions.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/257868560] The Observer 14 November 1982 p.37 (subscription required)
{{cite web| url=https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/romani-de-care-suntem-mandri-florea-dumitrache-2211704| title=Români de care suntem mândri: Florea Dumitrache| publisher=Libertatea.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Romanians we are proud of: Florea Dumitrache| date=12 April 2018| access-date=1 October 2024}}
{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/florea-dumitrache/uefa-cup-1982-1983/fc-corvinul-hunedoara/3/|title=Florea Dumitrache. UEFA Cup 1982/1983|access-date=1 October 2024}} Florea Dumitrache made his last Divizia A appearance, playing for Corvinul on 17 September 1983 in a 2–0 home loss in front of his former team, Jiul Petroșani, having a total of 357 matches with 170 goals scored in the competition. He ended his career in 1984 after playing for Minerul Știința Vulcan.{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/retro-gsp-florea-dumitrache-romania-anglia-685337.html | title=54 de ani de la "cel mai frumos moment" al carierei lui Dumitrache. Dialog savuros cu Ioan Chirilă: "Beau mai puțin decât englezii și citesc mai mult decât francezii" | publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=54 years since the "most beautiful moment" of Dumitrache's career. Tasty dialogue with Ioan Chirilă: "I drink less than the English and read more than the French| date=15 January 2023| access-date=16 January 2023}}
International career
Dumitrache played 31 games and scored 15 goals for Romania, making his debut under coach Angelo Niculescu in a friendly which ended 0–0 against Netherlands.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=5110|title=Florea Dumitrache profile|access-date=15 December 2020|publisher=EU Football}} He played five games in which he scored three goals at the successful 1970 World Cup qualifiers, also making a good performance at the final tournament, being used by coach Angelo Niculescu in all three games from the group stage in which he scored two goals, one against Czechoslovakia and one against Brazil and impressing with his dribbling abilities, especially in front of England's defenders Bobby Moore and Terry Cooper, however Romania did not manage to advance to the next stage. He played three matches and scored two goals at the Euro 1972 qualifiers, also scoring five goals in five games at the 1974 World Cup qualifiers, including two in Romania's biggest ever victory, a 9–0 against Finland.{{cite web|url=https://www.digisport.ro/interviuri-si-reportaje/video-exclusiv-sandu-si-ceilalti-eroi-din-1973-despre-culisele-victoriei-istorice-cu-9-0-cu-finlanda-191966|title=Sandu și ceilalți "eroi" din 1973, despre culisele victoriei istorice cu 9-0 cu Finlanda|publisher=Digisport.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=Sandu and the other "heroes" from 1973, about the backstage of the historic 9-0 victory over Finland| date=8 October 2015 |access-date=10 November 2021}} He also played in a 3–1 victory against Greece at the 1973–76 Balkan Cup, making his last appearance for the national team on 23 July 1974 in a friendly which ended with a 4–1 victory against Japan in which he scored two goals.
=International goals=
Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Dumitrache goal:
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Florea Dumitrache ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition | ||||||
| align="center"| 1 | 23 November 1968 | 23 August Stadium, Bucharest, Romania | {{Fb|Switzerland}} | 1–0 | 2–0 | 1970 FIFA World Cup Qual. |
| align="center"| 2 | 15 January 1969 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | {{Fb|England}} | 1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly match |
| align="center"| 3 | rowspan="2"| 16 April 1969 | rowspan="2"| Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Greece | rowspan="2"| {{Fb|Greece|old}} | 1–1 | rowspan="2"| 2–2 | rowspan="2"| 1970 FIFA World Cup Qual. |
| align="center"| 4 | 2–2 | |||||
| align="center"| 5 | 6 June 1970 | Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico | {{Fb|Czechoslovakia}} | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1970 FIFA World Cup |
| align="center"| 6 | 10 June 1970 | Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico | {{Fb|Brazil}} | 1–2 | 2–3 | 1970 FIFA World Cup |
| align="center"| 7 | rowspan="2"| 11 October 1970 | rowspan="2"| 23 August Stadium, Bucharest, Romania | rowspan="2"| {{Fb|Finland}} | 1–0 | rowspan="2"| 3–0 | rowspan="2"| UEFA Euro 1972 Qual. |
| align="center"| 8 | 2–0 | |||||
| align="center"| 9 | rowspan="2"| 6 May 1973 | rowspan="2"| Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania | rowspan="2"| {{Fb|Albania}} | 2–0 | rowspan="2"| 4–1 | rowspan="2"| 1974 FIFA World Cup Qual. |
| align="center"| 10 | 3–0 | |||||
| align="center"| 11 | 27 May 1973 | 23 August Stadium, Bucharest, Romania | {{Fb|East Germany}} | 1–0 | 1–0 | 1974 FIFA World Cup Qual. |
| align="center"| 12 | rowspan="2"| 14 October 1973 | rowspan="2"| 23 August Stadium, Bucharest, Romania | rowspan="2"| {{Fb|Finland}} | 5–0 | rowspan="2"| 9–0 | rowspan="2"| 1974 FIFA World Cup Qual. |
| align="center"| 13 | 7–0 | |||||
| align="center"| 14 | rowspan="2"| 23 July 1974 | rowspan="2"| Stadion 1 Mai, Constanța, Romania | rowspan="2"| {{Fb|Japan}} | 1–0 | rowspan="2"| 4–1 | rowspan="2"| Friendly match |
| align="center"| 15 | 2–0 |
Death
Dumitrache died on 26 April 2007 at age 59 in the Universitar Hospital from Bucharest, after suffering a digestive hemorrhage.{{cite web | url=https://romanialibera.ro/special/a-murit-dumitrache-93650/ | title=A murit Dumitrache| publisher=Romanialibera.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Dumitrache has died| date=27 April 2007 | access-date=1 October 2024}} After his death, the Victoria Ground was renamed "Stadionul Florea Dumitrache" in his honor.{{cite web | url=https://wesport.ro/stiri/fotbal-vintage-memorialul-puterii-episodul-2-victoria-bucuresti-1700 | title=Memorialul puterii, episodul 2: Victoria București| publisher=Wesport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The Memorial of Power, episode 2: Victoria Bucharest| date=2 June 2020 | access-date=9 November 2021}}
Honours
Dinamo București
Corvinul Hunedoara
Individual
- Divizia A top scorer: 1968–69, 1970–71
- Romanian Footballer of the Year: 1968, 1969, (third place): 1970, (fifth place): 1974
- Ballon d'Or 24th place: 1970
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Florea Dumitrache}}
- {{WorldFootball|florea-dumitrache}}
- {{NFT|19898}}
{{Liga I top scorers}}
{{Romanian Footballer of the Year}}
{{Romania Squad 1970 World Cup}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dumitrache, Florea}}
Category:Footballers from Bucharest
Category:Romanian men's footballers
Category:FC Corvinul Hunedoara players
Category:FC Dinamo București players
Category:CSM Jiul Petroșani players
Category:1970 FIFA World Cup players
Category:Romania men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards