2015–16 Liga II

The 2015–16 Liga II was the 76th season of the Liga II, the second tier of the Romanian football league system. The season began on 29 August.[1]

Liga II
Season2015–16
PromotedRapid București
Gaz Metan Mediaș
RelegatedGloria Buzău
Rapid Suceava
Universitatea Cluj
Bucovina
Tărlungeni
Ceahlăul
Metalul Reșița
Oțelul Galați
Bihor Oradea
Dorohoi
Caransebeș
Matches played458
Goals scored1,225 (2.67 per match)
Top goalscorer(Seria I)
Valentin Alexandru (25)
(Seria II)
Marius Matei (23)
Biggest home winBrașov 11-2 Metalul
Biggest away winFarul 0-6 Dunărea
Highest scoringBrașov 11-2 Metalul
Longest winning run7 matches:
Gaz Metan Mediaș
Longest unbeaten run16 matches:
Rapid București
Longest winless run20 matches:
Caransebeș
Longest losing run16 matches:
Caransebeș
Highest attendance8,500
Rapid 3–1 Academica
(22 May 2016)
Lowest attendance20
Metalul 1–6 Vâlcea
(21 November 2015)
Average attendance921
All statistics correct as of 12 June 2016.

The 28 teams were divided in two series (with 14 teams each). The regular season was played in a round-robin tournament. The first six teams from each series played a play-off for promotion to Liga I. Because of switching to a system with just one series of 22 teams from next season, there will be 11 teams relegated from Liga II this year. After the regular season, the last two teams in each series relegated to Liga III; the last 3 teams in each play-out pool also relegated, while the 3rd placed teams in the play-out faced off in a game that determined the 11th relegated team.[2]

Team changes

At the end of 2014–15 season, Voluntari from Seria I and Poli Timișoara from Seria II were promoted to Liga I.
Four teams were relegated to Liga III: Unirea Slobozia and Săgeata Năvodari (Seria I), Olt Slatina and Fortuna Poiana Câmpina (Seria II).
Last six teams from 2014–15 Liga I were relegated to Liga II: Gaz Metan Mediaș, Brașov, Universitatea Cluj, Rapid București, Oțelul Galați, Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț.
The winners of the five 2014–15 Liga III series were promoted to Liga II: Bucovina Pojorâta, Dunărea Călărași, Chindia Târgoviște, UTA Arad and Baia Mare.

Renamed teams

Academica Argeș was moved back to Clinceni and renamed Academica Clinceni.
CF Brăila was renamed Dacia Unirea Brăila.

Seria I

Stadia by capacity and locations

ClubCityStadiumCapacity
AcademicaClinceniClinceni2,800
BacăuBacăuLetea2,000
BaloteștiBaloteștiCentral3,780
BerceniBerceniBerceni2,700
BucovinaPojorâtaPojorâta1,000
CeahlăulPiatra NeamțCeahlăul18,000
Dacia UnireaBrăilaMunicipal20,154
DorohoiDorohoiMunicipal2,000
DunăreaCălărașiIon Comșa10,400
FarulConstanțaFarul15,520
GloriaBuzăuMunicipal18,000
OțelulGalațiOțelul
Nicolae Rainea
13,500
23,000
RapidBucureștiGiulești-Valentin Stănescu11,704
Rapid CFRSuceavaAreni12,500

Personnel and kits

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

TeamManagerCaptainKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
Academica Clinceni Mugur Bolohan Andrei MarinescuJomaImamed
Bacău Cristian Popovici Bogdan MironNikeSir Safety
Balotești Cornel Nica Ionuţ SanduOnze Sport
Berceni Răzvan Rotaru Epaminonda NicuGivova
Bucovina Pojorâta Daniel Mândrilă Traian JardaLegea
Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț Lidi Chertic Alexandru BarnaGemsGetica 95, Rifil
Dacia Unirea Brăila Alin Pânzaru Sorin FrunzăJomaComision Trade
Dorohoi
Dunărea Călărași Adrian Mihalcea Bogdan PanaitJomaProsol
Farul Constanța Ion Barbu Florin PătrașcuLegea
Gloria Buzău Viorel Ion Cătălin VlaicuGivova
Oțelul Galați Sorin Haraga Robert CiureaAdidas
Rapid București Dan Alexa Nicolae VasilePumaAzuga Waters
Rapid CFR Suceava Daniel Bălan Dorin SemeghinGivovaPrimăria și Consiliul Local Suceava

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming managerDate of appointment
Ceahlăul Vanja RadinovićMutual agreement31 May 2015Pre-season Constantin Ilie21 July 2015[3]
Academica Ciprian UricanMutual agreement30 June 2015 László Balint2 July 2015[4]
Berceni Adrian MihalceaMutual agreement30 June 2015 Marin Dragnea13 July 2015[5]
Balotești Giovanni PisanoMutual agreement30 June 2015 Bogdan Pătrașcu18 July 2015[6]
Rapid București Cristiano BergodiEnd of contract30 June 2015[7] Florin Marin24 July 2015[8]
Rapid București Florin MarinSigned by Poli Timișoara24 August 2015[9] Dan Alexa28 August 2015[10]
Dorohoi Vespazian ColbanThe club was dissolved29 August 2015[11]
Berceni Marin DragneaSacked3 October 201513 Epaminonda Nicu (caretaker)6 October 2015[12]
Ceahlăul Constantin IlieResigned4 October 201511 Mihai Ionescu (caretaker)4 October 2015[13]
Ceahlăul Mihai Ionescu (caretaker)End of tenure as a caretaker29 October 201513 Simone Mazzali29 October 2015[14]
Balotești Bogdan PătrașcuMutual agreement11 November 20159 Emil Stanca (caretaker)11 November 2015[15]
Berceni Epaminonda Nicu (caretaker)End of tenure as a caretaker21 November 20159 Marian Rada21 November 2015[16]
Ceahlăul Simone MazzaliSacked23 November 201513 Lidi Chertic23 November 2015[17]
Rapid Suceava Bogdan TudoreanuMutual agreement20 December 20158 Constantin Ilie21 December 2015[18]
Balotești Emil Stanca (caretaker)End of tenure as a caretaker14 January 201610 Cornel Nica14 January 2016[19]
Ceahlăul Lidi CherticMutual agreement18 January 201613 Stefano Maccoppi18 January 2016[20]
Dunărea Ionel GaneaSigned by Voluntari25 January 2016[21]1 Adrian Mihalcea4 February 2016[22]
Oțelul Galați Daniel FloreaResigned5 February 201612 Sorin Haraga26 February 2016[23]
Academica László BalintMutual agreement15 March 20164 Mugur Bolohan15 March 2016[24]
Farul Constantin GacheResigned16 March 20165 Ilie Stan17 March 2016[25]
Ceahlăul Stefano MaccoppiMutual agreement19 April 20166 Play-Out Lidi Chertic19 April 2016[26]
Farul Ilie StanResigned25 April 20166 Play-Off Ion Barbu25 April 2016[27]
Berceni Marian RadaSacked26 April 20162 Play-Out Răzvan Rotaru26 April 2016[28]
Rapid Suceava Constantin IlieMutual agreement26 April 20164 Play-Out Daniel Bălan26 April 2016[29]

Seria II

Stadia by capacity and locations

ClubCityStadiumCapacity
Baia MareBaia MareViorel Mateianu15,500
Bihor OradeaOradeaIuliu Bodola11,155
BrașovBrașovSilviu Ploeșteanu8,800
CaransebeșCaransebeșMunicipal3,000
ChindiaTârgovișteEugen Popescu10,000
Gaz MetanMediașGaz Metan7,814
MetalulReșițaMircea Chivu12,500
MioveniMioveniOrășenesc7,000
OlimpiaSatu MareOlimpia18,000
Râmnicu VâlceaRâmnicu VâlceaMunicipal12,000
ȘoimiiPâncotaȘoimii2,000
UnireaTărlungeniUnirea1,000
UniversitateaCluj-NapocaCluj Arena30,201
UTAAradMotorul2,000

Personnel and kits

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

TeamManagerCaptainKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
Baia Mare Dorin Toma Ciprian DurușGemsBaia Mare
Bihor Oradea
Brașov Adrian Szabo Mugurel BugaAcerbisMaurer Imobiliare
Caransebeș
Chindia Târgoviște Nicolae Croitoru Dragoș PătruJomaClaunic, Azuga Waters
Gaz Metan Mediaș Cristian Pustai Ionuț BuzeanJomaRomgaz, Transgaz
Metalul Reșița Carol Gurgu Nicolas VitorovićUhlsport
Mioveni Iordan Eftimie Bogdan StoicaLegeaMioveni
Olimpia Satu Mare Mircea Bolba Cosmin IuhasJomaConsiliul Judeţean Satu Mare
Râmnicu Vâlcea Adrian Dulcea Ionuț StoicaAdidasDamila
Șoimii Pâncota Zsolt Muzsnay Issa ThiawAdidasPrimăria Pâncota, Piroș Security
Unirea Tărlungeni Daniel Bona Liviu NicolaeLegea
Universitatea Cluj Ovidiu Sărmășan Raul CiupeErima
UTA Arad Roland Nagy Sorin BotișSallerGemi Junior, Fornetti

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming managerDate of appointment
Brașov Adrian SzaboMutual agreement31 May 2015Pre-season Cosmin Bodea15 June 2015[30]
Metalul Daniel OpriţaMutual agreement30 June 2015 Marian Pană16 July 2015[31]
U Cluj Adrian FalubMutual agreement30 June 2015 Marius Popescu27 July 2015[32]
Caransebeș Alin ArtimonResigned13 July 2015 Giovanni Pisano28 July 2015[33]
Brașov Cosmin BodeaResigned8 September 201511 Adrian Szabo10 September 2015[34]
Metalul Marian PanăResigned20 September 201514 Eugen Trică22 September 2015[35]
Gaz Metan Ion BalaurResigned7 October 20153 Flavius Șomfălean (caretaker)7 October 2015[36]
Gaz Metan Flavius Șomfălean (caretaker)End of tenure as a caretaker12 October 20157 Leontin Grozavu12 October 2015[37]
Mioveni Claudiu NiculescuMutual agreement19 October 20159 Marius Stoica19 October 2015[38]
Bihor Oradea Gheorghe SilaghiResigned20 October 201511 Claudiu Mutu (caretaker)20 October 2015[39]
Bihor Oradea Claudiu Mutu (caretaker)End of tenure as a caretaker27 October 201512 Dan Mănăilă27 October 2015[40]
U Cluj Marius PopescuSacked27 October 201510 Mihai Teja29 October 2015[41]
Metalul Eugen TricăResigned9 November 201514 Carol Gurgu9 November 2015[42]
Caransebeș Giovanni PisanoSacked13 November 201512 Toma Peica (caretaker)13 November 2015[43]
Caransebeș Toma Peica (caretaker)End of tenure as a caretaker23 November 201513 Dan Firiţeanu23 November 2015[44]
Caransebeș Dan FiriţeanuThe club was dissolved31 December 2015[45]14
Brașov Adrian SzaboMutual agreement7 January 20165 Mihai Stere8 January 2016[46]
Bihor Oradea Dan MănăilăSigned by Mureşul Vinţu8 January 201612
Brașov Mihai StereResigned15 March 20167 Adrian Szabo15 March 2016[47]
Olimpia Tiberiu CsikMutual agreement15 March 201610 Mircea Bolba15 March 2016[48]
Șoimii Ionuţ PopaResigned28 March 20169 Zsolt Muzsnay29 March 2016[49]
Râmnicu Vâlcea Alexandru PeliciResigned4 April 20167 Adrian Dulcea5 April 2016[50]
Gaz Metan Leontin GrozavuSigned by Botoșani5 April 20161 Cristian Pustai6 April 2016[51]
U Cluj Mihai TejaResigned9 April 20162 Play-Out Zsolt Szilágyi15 April 2016[52]
Mioveni Marius StoicaResigned17 April 20165 Play-Off Iordan Eftimie18 April 2016[53]
U Cluj Zsolt SzilágyiResigned18 April 20163 Play-Out Ovidiu Sărmășan (caretaker)18 April 2016[54]
Baia Mare Dorin TomaResigned25 April 20166 Play-Off Cristian Bogdan (caretaker)25 April 2016[55]
Baia Mare Cristian Bogdan (caretaker)End of tenure as a caretaker28 April 20166 Play-Off Dorin Toma28 April 2016[56]

League tables

Seria I

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion or relegation
1Rapid București2416624310+3354Qualification to promotion play-off
2Dunărea Călărași2415725013+3752
3Dacia Unirea Brăila2413563019+1144[a]
4Farul Constanța2413564630+1644[a]
5Academica Clinceni2413474523+2243
6Bacău24113102828036
7Berceni249783235−334Qualification to relegation play-out
8Gloria Buzău2494112339−1631
9Balotești2468102330−726
10Rapid CFR Suceava2467112236−1425
11Bucovina Pojorâta2438132850−2217
12Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț2435161440−2614
13Oțelul Galați (R)2433181243−3112Relegation to Liga III
14Dorohoi[b] (D, R)00000000
Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals scored; 5th head-to-head away goals scored; 6th goal difference; 7th number of goals scored
(D) Disqualified; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Seria II

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion or relegation
1Gaz Metan Mediaș2616553718+1953Qualification to promotion play-off
2Chindia Târgoviște2616464818+3052
3UTA Arad2615654828+2051
4Baia Mare2613763315+1846
5Brașov2612954824+2445[a]
6Mioveni2613674018+2245[a]
7Râmnicu Vâlcea2612863923+1644[b]Qualification to relegation play-out
8Universitatea Cluj2613583015+1544[b]
9Șoimii Pâncota269893029+135
10Olimpia Satu Mare2696113536−133
11Unirea Tărlungeni2659122634−824
12Bihor Oradea[c] (D, R)2541201058−4813Relegation to Liga III
13Metalul Reșița[d]2631221874−56−5Qualification to relegation play-out
14Caransebeș[e] (D, R)2531211163−52−86Relegation to Liga III
Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals scored; 5th head-to-head away goals scored; 6th goal difference; 7th number of goals scored
(D) Disqualified; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Promotion play-offs

At the end of the regular season, the first six teams from each series will play a Promotion play-off. The winners will be promoted to Liga I and the second place from both series will play a Play-Off match. The winner will play against 12th place in Liga I, and the winner of this second match will play in Liga I. The teams will start the play-off with half of the number of points gained in the regular season, after the results with the last two teams are canceled.

Seria I

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion
1Rapid București (C, D)106131211+144Not admitted to Liga I
2Dunărea Călărași10532228+1441Qualification to promotion play-off
3Dacia Unirea Brăila104241613+335
4Bacău104331616030
5Farul Constanța103161723−629
6Academica Clinceni102261527−1227
Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals scored; 5th head-to-head away goals scored; 6th goal difference; 7th number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (D) Disqualified

Seria II

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion
1Gaz Metan Mediaș (C, P)10622179+841[a]Promotion to Liga I
2UTA Arad106311814+441[a]Qualification to promotion play-off
3Chindia Târgoviște106221812+640
4Mioveni102441517−227
5Brașov101181426−1223
6Baia Mare[b]102261620−413
Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals scored; 5th head-to-head away goals scored; 6th goal difference; 7th number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Notes:

Relegation play-outs

At the end of the regular season, the teams that are on 13th and 14th places will be relegated to Liga III. The teams from 7th place to 12th place will play a relegation play-out. At the end of the play-out, the last 3 teams in both series relegate directly, while the team that finishes on 3rd place from Seria I will play a Play-Out match with the 3rd place from Seria II, the loser of which will also relegate to Liga III. The teams will start the play-out with half of the number of points gained in the regular season, after the results with the last two teams are canceled.

Seria I

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Balotești10631208+1232
2Berceni105142112+930
3Gloria Buzău (R)105141720−329Qualification to relegation play-out
4Rapid CFR Suceava (R)105232116+528Relegation to Liga III
5Bucovina Pojorâta (R)105142316+723
6Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț[a] (D, R)100010030−30−100
Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals scored; 5th head-to-head away goals scored; 6th goal difference; 7th number of goals scored
(D) Disqualified; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Seria II

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Râmnicu Vâlcea10523159+635
2Șoimii Pâncota106131212032[a]
3Olimpia Satu Mare (O)10631179+832Qualification to relegation play-out
4Universitatea Cluj (R)103341113−228Relegation to Liga III
5Unirea Tărlungeni (R)104242012+823
6Metalul Reșița[b] (R)10019323−20−10
Source: FRF (in Romanian)
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals scored; 5th head-to-head away goals scored; 6th goal difference; 7th number of goals scored
(O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Liga I play-offs

The 12th-placed team of the Liga I faced the winner of the match between the 2nd-placed teams of Seria I and Seria II.

First round

Team 1Agg.Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Dunărea Călărași4–5 (a.e.t.)UTA Arad3–11–4 (a.e.t.)
1 June 2016 Dunărea Călărași 3–1UTA AradCălărași
18:00Alexandru 4', 45'
Kanda 80'
Strătilă 43'Stadium: Ion Comșa
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Marius Avram (Bucharest)
4 June 2016 UTA Arad 4–1 (a.e.t.)Dunărea CălărașiArad
18:00Man 17'
Curtuiuș 34'
Rus 75', 99'
Balint 80'Stadium: Motorul
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Sebastian Colțescu (Craiova)

Second round

Team 1Agg.Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Voluntari3–1UTA Arad3–00–1
8 June 2016 Voluntari 3–0UTA AradVoluntari
18:30Voduț 27'
Tudorie 44'
Bălan 79'
Stadium: Anghel Iordănescu
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: István Kovács (Carei)
12 June 2016 UTA Arad 1–0VoluntariArad
13:00Rus 88'Stadium: Motorul
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Cristian Balaj (Baia Mare)

Notes:

Liga II play-out

The 9th-placed team of the Seria I faced 9th-placed team of Seria II.

Team 1Agg.Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Gloria Buzău0–6 (forfait)Olimpia Satu Mare0–3 (forfait)0–3 (forfait)

Notes:

References