Romanian Women's Football Championship
The Romanian Women's Football Championship, or Liga 1 Femei, is the top tier of women's club football in Romania. Run by the Romanian Football Federation (FRF), it features leading teams vying for the national title. Though women's football lags behind the men's game in popularity and funding, the league is a key driver for growth, hosting competitive matches in a round-robin format over several months.
History and foundation
Women's football emerged in Romania during the 1970s amid global enthusiasm. The official championship kicked off in 1978 under FRF auspices. Early dominance came from Bucharest and Craiova sides. The 1990s brought challenges from economic woes, but revival followed in the 2000s. A highlight: in 2012, CFF Chimia Rahova reached the Women's Champions League last 16, stunning Denmark's Fortuna Hjørring. Recent years show promise, with 2023 attendance up 20%.
Tournament format
The league's format is engaging: 12 teams play home-and-away round-robin, totaling 22 matches. The winner claims the title and a Champions League qualifier spot. Bottom two drop to the second division; third faces playoffs. Season runs August to May, with a winter break. In 2024, cup ties were added for extra excitement.
Interesting facts
Matches average 3.2 goals, reflecting attacking flair. All-time top scorer Adriana Pana netted 156 goals. Standouts include Erika Fizan (28 goals in 2022/23) and Marina Kiriac from Fair Play Bucharest. CSA Târgu Jiu leads since 2020, powered by keeper Andrea Popescu and striker Sorana Dumitru. The league has nurtured talents for Romania's national team, which competed at Euro 2017.