CSM Slatina women claimed a 29-24 victory over Targu Jiu in the National League on Wednesday, September 17th. The hosts moved into fifth place on five points, while Targu Jiu remain eleventh with two points from four games. It was a result that reflected the table positions, though not without some resistance from the visitors.
And here's the thing — we had called for a home win before kickoff, putting 59 per cent confidence behind it. To be fair, the prediction held up: Slatina controlled the tempo and found their rhythm early enough to stay ahead. The visitors dug in for patches but could not mount a sustained challenge.
Slatina's recent form shows a team still adjusting — they had drawn with Krajova and lost to Rapid before beating Steaua 36-22 last time out. Targu Jiu, meanwhile, had gone three games without a win, drawing with Braila and Bucharest. By then, both sides knew what was at stake. The encounter itself was competitive, with neither side pulling away completely.
Tactical observations from the stands tell a different story than the final score suggests. Slatina's coaching staff made changes that kept the pressure on, while Targu Jiu's defence was stretched more than once. The visitors were left flat-footed in transitions, which cost them. A derby with no love lost, though the result kept things civil.
The five-point gap between the teams now feels more significant than two points might imply. Slatina sit in the upper half with room to move, while Targu Jiu have work to do to climb out of the bottom third. This result does not close the season, but it sets a tone for both sides going forward.
