Ion Oblemenco
Encyclopedia
Ion Oblemenco was a Romania
n football striker who spent the majority of his career playing for Universitatea Craiova
. He is the club's all-time top goalscorer with a total of 167 goals, and the club's stadium
is named in his honour.
, Olt County
. He began his junior career in 1958 at the of age 13, in his native at Progresul Corabia where he played there till 1960, then he moved to Electroputere Craiova for two years.
Since the first steps taken in football he's remarked by his violent left-foot, who made many damages to neighbors fences in his childhood, then in the gates of those who were lucky enough to meet him.
to Rapid Bucharest, where he made his senior professional career debut in the 1963-64 season on 5 July 1964, against his soul love Universitatea Craiova
he scored a goal on his debut but Rapid lose 3-1, he made only one appearance during that season, the next season 1964-65 he made four appearances and scored two goals.
Sitting more on bench, because of that time, the famous tandem (Emil Dumitriu II and Ion Ionescu
), dominated and was hard to make room on the team. He left Rapid in Summer of 1966, and returned to his soul Universitatea Craiova
.
winning 3-2 at first sight in front of an audience in Craiova
winning the hearts of ardent fans of Oltenia
. In his first season he was the top scorer in Liga I
in 1966-67 with 17 goals in 23 matches, and repeats the same performance three times in (1969-1970 - 19 goals), (1971-1972 - 19 goals) and (1972-1973 - 21 goals) being, along with Ştefan Dobay
and Dudu Georgescu, the only players who obtained this performance in Liga I
. His developments on the field, coupled with its particular nature and attachment towards the team total, makes him quickly leader and team captain. He became the most adored star among the club's fans, and over the years he elevated the team to the most successful era in its history, helping his team winning its first championship league title for an unknown team in those years 1973–74, over teams like Steaua or Dinamo. He was called "The Gunner" because he scored many times for Universitatea Craiova
. His former colleague, Petre Deselnicu said: "I've kissed Oblemenco more than my wife, because he scored so many goals for our team". He retired in 1978 where he played for FCM Galaţi in the Liga II
.
However his biggest regret was that he did not play for the Romania
national team.
to gain experience from Valentin Stănescu
, together they managed to win the League title during the 1979–80 season, this was their second title in the history of U Craiova
.
Oblemenco was then named head-coach for two years on U Craiova
. He continued to enjoy success, winning again in his first season the League title in 1980–81 making this their third in the history of Craiova, adding as well the Romanian Cup
trophy for the club in the same year, and reaching with Craiova the European Cup Quarter-finals. The next season he placed second place in the league during 1981-82.
He also went on to coach Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea
, Olt Scorniceşti and Hassania Agadir
in Morocco.
. And was hospitalized in Craiova, between life and death speaks by itself. He was delirious. He cried. He asked for water: "Water, water, water!". His wife was near Oblemenco's bed. She didn't know what to do. What was happening with her husband? He spoke again: "Water, water! Let's go fellows! We must score right now!" He did not know if he will rise again. But he spoke a familiar language. A language of passion, of an entire life's hobby: Football. Even when he was delirious he only thought about goals, about scoring. A man like him can not die so easily. "Please God, let him live!", "Please God, don't let him die!", "Do you hear me, Ion?" And Ion was alive. He recovered very fast, he almost left life early, but was successfully operated twice in October 1972 and thus saved his life. Some people need a story to write a book. Ion Oblemenco lived such a story. And there is a book written about him: "Ion Oblemenco si Campioana unei mari iubiri" - Ion Oblemenco and The Champion Of A Great Love. This was, and still is, the name of the team in which Ion Oblemenco played. Universitatea Craiova - The Champion Of A Great Love. He fought with death and won. He was a real winner. Oblemenco had great popularity in Craiova and in Oltenia (district of Craiova). When he was in the hospital, people went there as if going to church, like when the people go to see the saints. The fans of Universitatea Craiova
went there every day, and they never went back home until they knew if Ion Oblemenco was better or not. Their numbers grew larger as the days went on. Because all the people wanted to make sure this man would rescue our team. After that episode, nobody could be certain if Oblemenco would play again. He was the only one who wanted to come back on the football field and fight again for our team. This man escaped death twice, he survived. He came back dramatically on the pitch on March 1973, in the match Rapid Bucharest - Universitatea Craiova
4-6, in which he scored three goals against his former team.
Oblemenco died of heart attack
in a match between Union Sidi Kacem on 1 September 1996, aged 51.
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n football striker who spent the majority of his career playing for Universitatea Craiova
FC Universitatea Craiova
Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova is a Romanian professional football club from Craiova. They became the first Romanian football team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, during the UEFA Cup in 1982–83...
. He is the club's all-time top goalscorer with a total of 167 goals, and the club's stadium
Stadionul Ion Oblemenco
Ion Oblemenco Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Craiova, Romania. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Universitatea Craiova. It is located in the western side of the city.-History:...
is named in his honour.
Early years
Oblemenco was born in CorabiaCorabia
Corabia is a small Danube port located in Olt County, Romania, which used to be part of the now-dissolved Romanaţi County before World War II...
, Olt County
Olt County
Olt is a county of Romania, in the historical regions of Oltenia and Muntenia . The capital city is Slatina.- Demographics :In 2002, it had a population of 489,274 and the population density was 89/km²....
. He began his junior career in 1958 at the of age 13, in his native at Progresul Corabia where he played there till 1960, then he moved to Electroputere Craiova for two years.
Since the first steps taken in football he's remarked by his violent left-foot, who made many damages to neighbors fences in his childhood, then in the gates of those who were lucky enough to meet him.
Club career
Oblemenco aged 19, was bought from CS Universitatea Craiova by Valentin StănescuValentin Stanescu
Valentin Stănescu Was the manager of the football team Rapid Bucureşti.-Manager career:*1959-1963: Metalul Târgovişte *1963-1968: CFR Bucureşti...
to Rapid Bucharest, where he made his senior professional career debut in the 1963-64 season on 5 July 1964, against his soul love Universitatea Craiova
FC Universitatea Craiova
Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova is a Romanian professional football club from Craiova. They became the first Romanian football team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, during the UEFA Cup in 1982–83...
he scored a goal on his debut but Rapid lose 3-1, he made only one appearance during that season, the next season 1964-65 he made four appearances and scored two goals.
Sitting more on bench, because of that time, the famous tandem (Emil Dumitriu II and Ion Ionescu
Ion Ionescu
Ion Ionescu is a Romanian former football striker.- Records :*Total matches played in Romanian First League: 184 matches - 107 goals*Topscorer of Romanian First League: 1962–63, 1965–66-Club:...
), dominated and was hard to make room on the team. He left Rapid in Summer of 1966, and returned to his soul Universitatea Craiova
FC Universitatea Craiova
Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova is a Romanian professional football club from Craiova. They became the first Romanian football team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, during the UEFA Cup in 1982–83...
.
Universitatea Craiova
Here Oblemenco is allowed to play now, after spending so much time sitting on the benches at Rapid. He debuted in a match against Dinamo Bucharest on 21 August 1966 where his team lose, the following game he scored twice with Jiul PetroşaniJiul Petrosani
Jiul Petroşani is a Romanian professional football club from Petroşani, Hunedoara county, Romania, founded in 1919.-History:The history of Jiul Petroşani goes back to 1919, when the club was founded as Clubul Atletic al Minerilor din Petroşani .In 1925 Jiul was runners-up in the Liga I.Most of its...
winning 3-2 at first sight in front of an audience in Craiova
Craiova
Craiova , Romania's 6th largest city and capital of Dolj County, is situated near the east bank of the river Jiu in central Oltenia. It is a longstanding political center, and is located at approximately equal distances from the Southern Carpathians and the River Danube . Craiova is the chief...
winning the hearts of ardent fans of Oltenia
Oltenia
Oltenia is a historical province and geographical region of Romania, in western Wallachia. It is situated between the Danube, the Southern Carpathians and the Olt river ....
. In his first season he was the top scorer in Liga I
Liga I
Liga I, or in full, due to sponsorship reasons, Liga I Bergenbier, is the top division of the Romanian football league system. Before the 2006/2007 season, it was called Divizia A, but the name had to be changed following the discovery that someone else had registered the trademark "Divizia A"...
in 1966-67 with 17 goals in 23 matches, and repeats the same performance three times in (1969-1970 - 19 goals), (1971-1972 - 19 goals) and (1972-1973 - 21 goals) being, along with Ştefan Dobay
Stefan Dobay
Ștefan Dobay , native name István Dobay, was a Austrian-Hungarian native Romanian footballer.He played for Ripensia Timișoara and the Romania national football team for whom he got 41 caps, scored 20 goals and he appeared at the 1934 and 1938 World Cups as a forward and scoring a goal in each...
and Dudu Georgescu, the only players who obtained this performance in Liga I
Liga I
Liga I, or in full, due to sponsorship reasons, Liga I Bergenbier, is the top division of the Romanian football league system. Before the 2006/2007 season, it was called Divizia A, but the name had to be changed following the discovery that someone else had registered the trademark "Divizia A"...
. His developments on the field, coupled with its particular nature and attachment towards the team total, makes him quickly leader and team captain. He became the most adored star among the club's fans, and over the years he elevated the team to the most successful era in its history, helping his team winning its first championship league title for an unknown team in those years 1973–74, over teams like Steaua or Dinamo. He was called "The Gunner" because he scored many times for Universitatea Craiova
FC Universitatea Craiova
Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova is a Romanian professional football club from Craiova. They became the first Romanian football team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, during the UEFA Cup in 1982–83...
. His former colleague, Petre Deselnicu said: "I've kissed Oblemenco more than my wife, because he scored so many goals for our team". He retired in 1978 where he played for FCM Galaţi in the Liga II
Liga II
Liga II is the second tier league of the Romanian football league system. The league acquired this name in the 2006-07, being previously called Divizia B....
.
However his biggest regret was that he did not play for the Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
national team.
Coaching career
After retiring as a player in 1979-80, he attempted to work as an assistant coach for Universitatea CraiovaFC Universitatea Craiova
Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova is a Romanian professional football club from Craiova. They became the first Romanian football team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, during the UEFA Cup in 1982–83...
to gain experience from Valentin Stănescu
Valentin Stanescu
Valentin Stănescu Was the manager of the football team Rapid Bucureşti.-Manager career:*1959-1963: Metalul Târgovişte *1963-1968: CFR Bucureşti...
, together they managed to win the League title during the 1979–80 season, this was their second title in the history of U Craiova
FC Universitatea Craiova
Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova is a Romanian professional football club from Craiova. They became the first Romanian football team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, during the UEFA Cup in 1982–83...
.
Oblemenco was then named head-coach for two years on U Craiova
FC Universitatea Craiova
Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova is a Romanian professional football club from Craiova. They became the first Romanian football team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, during the UEFA Cup in 1982–83...
. He continued to enjoy success, winning again in his first season the League title in 1980–81 making this their third in the history of Craiova, adding as well the Romanian Cup
Romanian Cup
The Cupa României is a football competition which was held annually since 1933-34, except during the World War II. It is the country's main cup competition, and it is open to all clubs affiliated with FRF and the county football associations regardless of the league they belong to...
trophy for the club in the same year, and reaching with Craiova the European Cup Quarter-finals. The next season he placed second place in the league during 1981-82.
He also went on to coach Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea
Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea
Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea was a football club based in Râmnicu Vâlcea, Vâlcea County, Romania. It was founded in 1946 and dissolved in 2004. It won one Romanian Cup, in 1973.-History:...
, Olt Scorniceşti and Hassania Agadir
Hassania Agadir
Hassania Union Sport Agadir is a Moroccan football club based in Agadir.The club was founded in 1946. They play their home games at Stade Al Inbiaâte.-Honours:*Moroccan League First Division: 2*Coupe du Trône: 0...
in Morocco.
Life and death
On 28 October 1972. during the 1972-1973 season, Oblemenco aged 27, suffered a serious disease, peptic ulcerPeptic ulcer
A peptic ulcer, also known as PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. It is defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm...
. And was hospitalized in Craiova, between life and death speaks by itself. He was delirious. He cried. He asked for water: "Water, water, water!". His wife was near Oblemenco's bed. She didn't know what to do. What was happening with her husband? He spoke again: "Water, water! Let's go fellows! We must score right now!" He did not know if he will rise again. But he spoke a familiar language. A language of passion, of an entire life's hobby: Football. Even when he was delirious he only thought about goals, about scoring. A man like him can not die so easily. "Please God, let him live!", "Please God, don't let him die!", "Do you hear me, Ion?" And Ion was alive. He recovered very fast, he almost left life early, but was successfully operated twice in October 1972 and thus saved his life. Some people need a story to write a book. Ion Oblemenco lived such a story. And there is a book written about him: "Ion Oblemenco si Campioana unei mari iubiri" - Ion Oblemenco and The Champion Of A Great Love. This was, and still is, the name of the team in which Ion Oblemenco played. Universitatea Craiova - The Champion Of A Great Love. He fought with death and won. He was a real winner. Oblemenco had great popularity in Craiova and in Oltenia (district of Craiova). When he was in the hospital, people went there as if going to church, like when the people go to see the saints. The fans of Universitatea Craiova
FC Universitatea Craiova
Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova is a Romanian professional football club from Craiova. They became the first Romanian football team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, during the UEFA Cup in 1982–83...
went there every day, and they never went back home until they knew if Ion Oblemenco was better or not. Their numbers grew larger as the days went on. Because all the people wanted to make sure this man would rescue our team. After that episode, nobody could be certain if Oblemenco would play again. He was the only one who wanted to come back on the football field and fight again for our team. This man escaped death twice, he survived. He came back dramatically on the pitch on March 1973, in the match Rapid Bucharest - Universitatea Craiova
FC Universitatea Craiova
Fotbal Club Universitatea Craiova is a Romanian professional football club from Craiova. They became the first Romanian football team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, during the UEFA Cup in 1982–83...
4-6, in which he scored three goals against his former team.
Oblemenco died of heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in a match between Union Sidi Kacem on 1 September 1996, aged 51.
Records
- Total matches played in Romanian First LeagueLiga ILiga I, or in full, due to sponsorship reasons, Liga I Bergenbier, is the top division of the Romanian football league system. Before the 2006/2007 season, it was called Divizia A, but the name had to be changed following the discovery that someone else had registered the trademark "Divizia A"...
: 272 matches - 170 goals - Topscorer of Romanian First LeagueLiga ILiga I, or in full, due to sponsorship reasons, Liga I Bergenbier, is the top division of the Romanian football league system. Before the 2006/2007 season, it was called Divizia A, but the name had to be changed following the discovery that someone else had registered the trademark "Divizia A"...
: 1967Divizia A 1966-67-Final classification:-Top scorers:*Ion Oblemenco - Universitatea Craiova - 17 goals...
, 1970Divizia A 1969-70-Final classification:-Top scorers:*Ion Oblemenco - Universitatea Craiova - 19 goals...
, 1972Divizia A 1971-72-Final classification:-Top scorers:*Ion Oblemenco - Universitatea Craiova - 20 goals...
, 1973Divizia A 1972-73-Final classification:-Top scorers:*Ion Oblemenco - Universitatea Craiova - 21 goals... - European Cups: 9 matches - 4 goals
- U-23 national team: 12 matches - 5 goals
- He has scored 170 goals in Liga ILiga ILiga I, or in full, due to sponsorship reasons, Liga I Bergenbier, is the top division of the Romanian football league system. Before the 2006/2007 season, it was called Divizia A, but the name had to be changed following the discovery that someone else had registered the trademark "Divizia A"...
, being ranked 5th in the all time scoring table, but he has never been capped for RomaniaRomania national football teamThe Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
.
- He played for Romania U-23 in friendly tours in UruguayUruguayUruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
, AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.