Iasi Women — Stiinta Bucharest Women: 20:19, Liga Națională Women

Iasi Women claimed a narrow 20-19 victory over Steaua Bucharest Women in the National League on Wednesday evening. The result keeps both sides in the lower half of the table, though it shifts the balance slightly between them. By then, neither side had much to play for beyond pride.

Iasi sit in twelfth place with four points from four matches, while Bucharest remain thirteen and winless. To be fair, the gap between them is minimal — just two points separate the pair after four rounds. This was another draw avoided, even if the margin was razor-thin.

Our forecast called for a home win at 52 per cent confidence, and that came through. And here's the thing — it wasn't about dominance. Iasi held on grimly in what was essentially a game decided by one or two moments. Bucharest never got going enough to turn it around.

Recent form tells its own story. Iasi have managed just one win in their last five, with three draws and a heavy defeat at home to Rapid Bucharest. Bucharest's record is even starker — four losses in four games this season, including that 22-36 hammering at Slatina just four days ago.

Neither side is threatening the top, but every point matters in a league where the bottom is crowded. Iasi now hold a slight buffer over Bucharest in the standings. A fourth straight win for anyone would be remarkable, but neither side is there yet.