On February 24, 2005, FCSB managed to eliminate Valencia in the “16-Mile” UEFA. The Spaniards were the holders of the trophy and had won in the tour, 2-0. In Bucharest, FCSB defeated the same score and qualified for the breaks.
Before the return, Gigi Becali promised the players a huge first: 20,000 euros. Then, in the end he said he “joked”!
Steaua (this was called the team) equalized the score from the tour through the “double” of Băcăuan Andrei Cristea, and on the bench was the Italian Walter Zenga.
“It was a bigger premium, which was then smaller. It was a premium of 100,000 euros, and I, Lovin, Neșu, who were young at that time, did not even know what to do with so much money.
The next day we went to Mariott and told us (Gigi Becali): “Well, boys, I joked, it’s not 100,000 euros.” There’s no point in saying now but around 20,000 euros were“Said Andrei Cristea, the hero of the match in Ghencea.
“If it happens I will say that I changed my mind”
At 20 years old, before double with Lyon, from the finals of the Europa League, the landlord is playing again with the minds of the footballers and promises a tempting premium.
“If I pass Lyon I give them 20,000 euros for each holder. The others will take half, 10,000 euros. If I go to quarters, I give them 30,000 euros. For the semifinal there are 40,000 euros.
If they win the final I give them 100,000 euros. That’s how I tell them now, if it happens I will say that I have changed my mind (no laugh)“, Declared Gigi Becali.
The two Lyon games are scheduled on March 6 and 13.
