Bucharest Rebels Capture 3rd Straight Romanian Crown

The Bucharest Rebels exploded for 34 second half points en route to overwhelming the Cluj Crusaders 46-18 in Robowl VII to win their third consecutive Romanian championship title.

Wide receiver Radu Ene scored two touchdowns to pace the Rebels. Daniel Lixandru scored two as well while Cosmin Zamfir, Cristian Roman and Radu Ionescu added one each. Alexandru Craciun scored two two-point conversions and Robert Ion had one for Bucharest.

Playing an injury-depleted Crusaders squad, down to their third-string quarterback Dan Crâsnic, Bucharest started slowly as both defenses seemed to be feeling the other out.

The Rebels then opened the scoring jumping out to a 12-0 lead on touchdowns by Lixandru and Zamfir in the second quarter. Cluj responded late in the half as Crâsnic snuck into the end zone from one yard out to close the gap to 12-6.

Then the Rebels defense took over adding two more touchdowns in the third quarter on turnovers. Ionescu recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown and Roman picked off Crusaders quarterback Crâsnic for a touchdown to stretch the lead to 26-6. Lixandru scored his second of the game to start the fourth quarter but then Cluj defensive back Calin Ciupei returned an interception of his own to close the gap to 38-12.

Ene rounded off the Rebel’s scoring late in the game with Mihai Popovici adding the two-point conversion to give Bucharest a 48-12 lead. Then, late in the contest, Crâsnic connected with Marian Mikacs for the Crusaders third touchdown making the final score 46-18.

The win was historic as the Rebels are the first team to win the Romanian championship three times.

Source: firstdown.ro.