Academica Balș vs CSL Nanov Match Recap - Oct 10, 2025

Academica Balș Extends Hot Streak, Edges CSL Nanov to Climb Liga III Table

BALȘ, Romania — In a match that perfectly encapsulated the contrasting trajectories of two clubs moving in opposite directions, Academica Balș secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over struggling CSL Nanov on Friday, extending their impressive run of form and solidifying their position in the upper half of the Liga III Serie 5 standings.

The result marks Academica's fourth win in their last five outings, a remarkable turnaround that has propelled them to sixth place with 10 points from six matches. For CSL Nanov, meanwhile, the defeat compounds a miserable stretch that has seen them collect just one point from their last five contests, leaving them languishing in 10th position with a paltry four points from seven games.

Academica's recent surge has transformed what looked like a middling campaign into something far more promising. Their ability to grind out results—even when not at their fluent best—speaks to a resilience that was absent earlier in the season. Coming off a dramatic 3-2 victory at Axi Adunații-Copăceni just a week ago, Balș demonstrated once again that they possess the mental fortitude to navigate tight matches.

The home side's attacking confidence was evident from the opening whistle, though CSL Nanov showed flashes of the defensive organization that has occasionally surfaced during their troubled campaign. What they lacked in quality, the visitors attempted to compensate for with industry and structure, sitting deep and inviting pressure in hopes of catching Academica on the counter.

But Balș's patient build-up play eventually paid dividends. The breakthrough, when it came, seemed to vindicate their approach and settled any early nerves that might have lingered from their recent draw with Alexandria. The goal provided the cushion Academica needed to impose their game, and a second strike appeared to put the match beyond doubt.

CSL Nanov, to their credit, refused to capitulate. Despite having shipped nine goals in their previous two matches—a humiliating 6-0 drubbing at home to LPS HD Clinceni followed by a 3-0 defeat at Alexandria—they showed character in pulling one back. The goal offered a glimmer of hope and briefly unsettled the home side, injecting tension into what had seemed a comfortable afternoon for Balș.

The closing stages tested Academica's nerve. Having built their recent success on controlling matches and seeing out results, they found themselves protecting a slender advantage rather than extending it. The visitors pressed forward with increasing desperation, aware that another defeat would further cement their position near the bottom of the table and leave them staring at a daunting gap to safety.

Yet Academica held firm, demonstrating the defensive solidity that has underpinned their recent run. While they may not possess the firepower of some Liga III sides, their ability to defend leads—evident in their 1-0 win at Filiaşi and 2-1 victory over Progresul Spartac—has become their calling card. It's a pragmatic approach that may not always be pretty, but it's proving effective.

The contrast in momentum between these sides could hardly be starker. Academica has collected 10 points from a possible 15 in their last five matches, while CSL Nanov has managed just one point from a possible 15 in the same stretch. That divergence tells the story of two clubs with vastly different immediate futures.

For Balș, this victory represents more than three points. It's confirmation that their early-season stumbles—two losses that threatened to derail their campaign before it truly began—are firmly in the rearview mirror. With momentum building and confidence surging, they now sit within striking distance of the promotion places, though the season remains young and the table tightly bunched.

CSL Nanov, conversely, faces a sobering reality. Seven matches in, they've managed just one victory and find themselves in the relegation conversation rather than contention for anything meaningful. The defensive fragilities exposed by LPS HD Clinceni and Alexandria remain unresolved, and while they showed more backbone today, moral victories don't earn points.

As Liga III Serie 5 continues its unforgiving grind, Academica Balș appears to have found their rhythm at precisely the right moment. CSL Nanov, meanwhile, must quickly rediscover theirs—or risk watching the relegation zone grow closer with each passing week.