CFR Cluj won the 78th Romanian Cup by defeating Dinamo Bucharest 5-4 on penalties on Tuesday night. The final on Bucharest's National Arena was dedicated to Dinamo's midfielder Patrick Ekeng, who died on May 6 after collapsing on the pitch during a match.
A minute's silence for Cameroonian Ekeng was observed by the 37,705 audience before the kickoff, and the match was interrupted for applause in minute 14, to remember the late No 14. Applause burst out again and Dinamo die-hard fans ignited black smoke bombs in minute 70, to mark the time when the player had fainted.
Dinamo led by 2-0 at halftime, then CFR came back and to draw; the 2-2 score lasted after the extra time. Penalties followed, with Dorin Rotariu missing his spot kick for Dinamo and Juan Carlos Real Ruiz hitting decisively for Cluj.
It was CFR Cluj's fourth Romanian Cup. Dinamo's record stays at 13, with 10 finals lost.
Scorers: Eddy Harlem Gnohere (23 — penalty), Erik Bicfalvi (35) for Dinamo; Juan Carlos Real Ruiz (47), Cristian Lopez (89) for CFR.
Penalty kicks: Erik Bicfalvi 1-0, Cristian Lopez 1-1, Eddy Harlem Gnohere 2-1, Tiago Lopes 2-2, Paul Anton 3-2, Leo Beleck 3-3, Valentin Lazar 4-3, Davide Petrucci 4-4, Dorin Rotariu 4-4 (miss / goalkeeper save), Juan Carlos Real Ruiz 4-5.