After a goalless first leg in Bucharest, Steaua scored three goals against Betis Sevilla on their home turf, qualifying for the quarters of the UEFA Cup, in the same city where Steaua won the European Championship 20 years ago.
Banel Nicolita’s opener in the 54th minute motivated the team and mobilised Victoras Iacob to score later in the 78th minute the second goal against a ten men team, following the red card for Joaquín Sánchez. Nicolita sealed the victory with a third goal in the 87th minute.
Hence, Steaua joins Rapid which secured its participation in the quarterfinals one day earlier when losing with a one away goal to Hamburg 1-3.
Friday will unfold the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final draw in Eindhoven (Holland), where the UEFA final will take place. Along with Steaua and Rapid, the other teams that have qualified for the quarter-finals are Middlesbrough, Sevilla, Levski, Schalke, Zenit St. Petersburg and Basel.
