Viorel Firu Smarandache (2 July 1953 â 15 December 2018) was a Romanian footballer who played as a defender.
Smarandache was born on 2 July 1953 in CoÃÂovenii de Sus, Romania and began playing junior-level football in 1969 at Universitatea Craiova. He made his Divizia A debut on 20 September 1970 under coach ÃÂtefan Coidum in "U" Craiova's 1âÂÂ0 home victory against Jiul PetroÃÂani.
In 1971 he joined Steaua BucureÃÂti where he stayed until 1976, making a partnership in the central defense with ÃÂtefan SameÃÂ. Smarandache took part in the 1971âÂÂ72 European Cup Winners' Cup campaign, playing all six games as the team reached the quarter-finals by getting past Hibernians and Barcelona, being eliminated after 1âÂÂ1 on aggregate on the away goal rule by Bayern Munich. In the 1975âÂÂ76 season he helped the club win The Double, being used by coach Emerich Jenei in 15 league games.
In 1976, Smarandache went to Olimpia Satu Mare in Divizia B, helping the team gain promotion to the first league at the end of the season. In the 1977âÂÂ78 season, he scored a personal record of six goals, and also Olimpia reached the 1978 Cupa României final where coach Gheorghe Staicu used him the entire match in the 3âÂÂ1 loss to Universitatea Craiova. On 7 October 1979, he made his last Divizia A appearance in Olimpia's 1âÂÂ0 away loss to Politehnica TimiÃÂoara, totaling 188 matches with 11 goals in the competition.
In 1981, Smarandache joined Divizia B club Gloria BuzÃÂu where he played rarely in his two-season spell. In 1984 he signed with Electroputere Craiova in Divizia C, helping the side earn promotion to the second league in his first season.
Between 1971 and 1976, Smarandache made several appearances for Romania's under-21 and under-23 squads.
He played one friendly game for Romania, being used the entire match by coach Gheorghe Ola in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Peru.
Smarandache died on 15 December 2018 at age 65.
Steaua BucureÃÂti
Olimpia Satu Mare
Electroputere Craiova