Duckadam doubts Euro success

Posted Thursday, October 22, 2009 by PA

Former Steaua Bucharest goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam thinks it is highly unlikely a Romanian club will ever win a European competition again.

Duckadam saved four penalties in a shoot-out against Barcelona to decide the 1986 European Cup final in the Romanian side's favour.

Speaking ahead of Steaua's Europa League Group H clash with Fenerbahce on Thursday, Duckadam was not optimistic about a similar feat taking place because a club needed good financial backing.

Asked if he could envisage a Romanian club winning a European trophy, he told UEFA.com: "Not really, at least not in the near future. If a Romanian club can keep together a handful of players worth 8million to 10million euros then, yes, there would be a chance of them reaching a final.

"Until then, it is more important to win as many points as possible, to regularly have a team qualifying directly for the Champions League group stage."

Steaua have yet to score or concede a goal in their opening two Europa League matches, with Fenerbahce just one point above them in second place in Group H following a win and a draw.

The Istanbul side will be looking to bounce back from an unexpected defeat against Gaziantepspor at the weekend, their first in the Super Lig this season.

In what will be their 159th fixture in Europe, they are three shy of their 200th goal in all continental competitions.

Fenerbahce's supporters will be hoping their team are not unsettled by reports linking coach Christoph Daum to the Turkey manager's job.

Fatih Terim stepped down last week after failing to qualify for next year's World Cup in South Africa.