Steaua București and Zalau Battle to a 2-2 Stalemate in Divizia A1 Thriller

Bucharest, Romania – May 10, 2026 – In a highly anticipated Divizia A1 clash, Steaua București and CSM Zalau played out a gripping 2-2 draw on Sunday evening. While draws are uncommon in top‑flight volleyball, the evenly matched contest saw both sides claim a share of the spoils after four fiercely contested sets. The result leaves both teams locked in a tight race for playoff positioning as the regular season enters its critical final weeks.

Match Overview

The encounter at the Steaua Sports Hall featured two of the league’s most consistent sides. Steaua București, traditionally strong at home, faced a determined Zalau side that has been pushing for a top‑four finish. The match was a showcase of tactical discipline, powerful serving, and clutch defensive plays from both benches. After four sets, the scoreboard read 2‑2, with neither side able to break the deadlock – a testament to the depth and skill on display.

Set‑by‑Set Breakdown

• First Set (Steaua 25‑23): The hosts came out firing, riding the energy of their home crowd. Captain Andrei Munteanu led the attack with three early kills, while middle blocker Ion Popescu added two crucial blocks. Zalau stayed close thanks to opposite hitter Mihai Ionescu, but Steaua edged ahead with a late service run.
• Second Set (Zalau 25‑21): Zalau regrouped and exploited gaps in Steaua’s defence. Setter Alexandru Radu distributed the ball smartly, feeding outside hitter Vlad Cojocaru for five kills in the set. A strong block‑out strategy neutralised Steaua’s primary attack, forcing errors and giving Zalau a comfortable lead.
• Third Set (Steaua 27‑25): The most dramatic set of the night. Steaua built an early 14‑10 advantage, but Zalau clawed back with a 6‑1 run to tie at 16. The set went into extra points, with both teams saving multiple set points. Finally, a double block by Popescu and Tudor Georgescu sealed the set for the hosts, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
• Fourth Set (Zalau 25‑22): Zalau responded immediately, taking a 7‑4 lead with aggressive serving from libero Daniel Rus. Steaua fought back to level at 18‑18, but Zalau’s defence held firm, and a decisive timeout by coach Vasile Stan spurred his team to three straight points. The set ended on a service ace by Cojocaru, levelling the match at 2‑2.

Key Players and Tactical Notes

• Vlad Cojocaru (Zalau): The outside hitter was unstoppable, finishing with 19 kills and a 52% attack efficiency. His all‑court play was a constant threat.
• Ion Popescu (Steaua): The middle blocker tallied 6 blocks, disrupting Zalau’s quick attacks and anchoring Steaua’s defence.
• Service Pressure: Both teams used aggressive float serves, resulting in 8 aces each but also 14 service errors combined. The high‑risk approach kept receivers off balance.
• Substitution Impact: Steaua’s coach Mihai Enache rotated his bench heavily, with Lucian Dumitru contributing clutch points in the third set. Zalau relied on a stable six‑man rotation.

Implications for the Divizia A1 Standings

The 2‑2 draw grants each team one point in the league standings, reflecting the competitive parity. Steaua București now sits in 3rd place with 38 points, while Zalau climbs to 5th with 35. With only four matches remaining in the regular season, every point counts toward securing a home‑court advantage in the playoffs. Both teams will need to improve their consistency in the decisive fifth set – a luxury not available in this drawn encounter – to make a deep postseason run.

Next up, Steaua travels to face defending champions CSM Arcada Galați, while Zalau returns home to host mid‑table SCM Craiova.