Second-half goals from Daniel Niculae and Mugurel Buga for Rapid Bucharest dashed Hertha Berlin's last hope to continue the competition in the UEFA cup. The Romanian club qualified with a 3-0 aggregate victory to figure among the UEFA top 16.

Steaua Bucharest lost to Heerenveen 0-1, but qualified to the next round of the competition due to the aggregate victory 3-2.

Rapid looked a bit stressed by the start of round one, allowing the Germans to keep up pressure on goalkeeper Coman, helped by spectacular inspiration and luck. Coman made sure Hertha Berlin would not score what might have been 2-0 before midgame.

But Rapid returned with a vengeance for the second round, proving their eventual victory was worthy in technical, inventiveness and pleasure to play terms. Nicolae scored min. 53 at the end of a superb personal push, as if to show once again why he is considered one of the best strikers in the country.

A vanishing Hertha allows for a min. 73 goal by Buga after a pass from Badoi. Still, euphoria prevents Rapid from scoring in several other occasions.

For its part, Steaua rose questions about the intentions of coach Olaroiu, whom many feared would focus too much on the defensive. While Steaua's first games under Olaroiu contradicted the opinion, its 1-0 (Bruggink, 85') loss against Heerenveen today brought back the suspicions.