Less than 48 hours are left until the "match of the century" for the Romanian football, as the match Rapid-Steaua within the UEFA Cup's quarterfinals was called and both sides are preparing as in the case of a "real war". Considered by many people unfair, as it destroyed the hopes that two Romanian teams qualify for the semi-finals, the draw for UEFA Cup brings however certitude, namely a representative of Romania will qualify for the next stage, no matter the results of the two matches.

The preparations have already started, and both teams are sure of their victory and qualification, but the high tension before the match managed to influence. Steaua allowed the press and the supporters at yesterday’s training, while Razvan Lucescu decided to protect his footballers completely and keep them away from the contact with the journalists.

For Cosmin Olaroiu, the two matches with Rapid are the most important exam, since he has been coaching Steaua. "I haven’t even able to think at the match with Poli properly, because I was so focused on the matches with Rapid. It will be a match where a team will open a new page of the history, while the other will have to opportunity to write the first page. It is a balanced dispute," said the coach of Steaua.

Before cutting any contact with the press, Razvan Lucescu, the coach of Rapid, showed his confidence too. "I expect to play well. I will be satisfied with the qualification. In these moments, there is a tension indeed and we should enjoy first of all the fact that we reached such a level, two Romanian teams playing the final legs. We should not add other pressures," ended Lucescu.

The Rapid-Steaua match, counting for the UEFA Cup’s quarterfinals first leg will be refereed by a German squad, central referee Wolfgang Stark will be helped by linesmen Markus Scheibel and Jan-Hendrick Salver. The reserve referee is Gunter Perl, and the observer is the Brit Peter Jones. Because the match is considered to have a high risk degree, and the supporters of the two teams are well-known for the rivalry between them which often leads to violent conflict, the security measures will be extraordinary.

After the latest incidents between the fans and the order forces from Constanta, it was decided to increase the security forces for the Thursday’s match. Thus, over 1,500 gendarmes and 500 policemen will be called for the match. Moreover, the supporters of Steaua will not be allowed at the first grounds, as usually, but at the first stands, so that they are transported safely after the end of the match. Both Rapid and Steaua supporters will be very carefully checked when entering the stadium, starting 5.30 PM. The access with any kind of blunt objects, including lighters and coins, is banned, the only accepted are matches and mobile phones. In the District 6, the sale of alcoholic drinks will be banned on Thursday.

The Mayor of district 6 said on Monday: "We do not want heated minds create moments of crisis. The supporters must go to the match with their heads clear and thus we banned the sale of alcoholic drinks around the area of Giulesti stadium and in Ghencea-Moghioros Park area, where Steaua fans meet."

To show they are against racism, the players of Steaua and Rapid will enter the pitch on Thursday wearing t-shirts with anti-discriminatory messages and banners reading "Let the racism offside!," the message of a campaign for preventing racism in sports, initiated by the National Council for Combating Discrimination.

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