Sepsi: I still can't believe this isn't just a dream anymore – László Diószegi

"I still can't believe this isn't just a dream anymore," said László Diószegi, founder, owner, and president of Sepsi OSK after the Székely Land team won against Viitorul and qualified for a European cup series for the first time in its history. Team Sepsi celebrated late into the night with their fans, and an accordionist played music in front of the stadium for the footballers and managers coming out of the locker room.

The Romanian press also acknowledged that Sepsi, that has been fourth in Liga 1 since October, will rightfully represent the country in the ECL. The only sports newspaper in Bucharest, Gazeta Sporturilor, reported on Sunday night's match under the title "Deserved Advancement with an Accidental Goal." The article also pointed out that the club's management used their partially Hungarian financial resources well. The club set realistic goals and formed a strong lineup even without exaggerated salaries to the players.

In this regard, László Diószegi answered Nemzeti Sport's question that the club could hardly afford a squad of more than 30 players next season, as in the season that has just ended, so most likely only 27 footballers will have contracts. The club will negotiate on Monday with the footballers of expiring contracts, after which they will announce who will stay in Sfântu Gheorghe and who will leave. Of the latter, Pavol Safranko's leave hurts the president the most, not only because of his performance on the pitch but also because of his fighting spirit.

"He fought as if he had signed for Sepsi OSK today, not as if he were playing his last game. We are saying goodbye in tears. That's the kind of people Sepsi needs," the president said of the Slovakian striker who has scored 17 goals in 68 league games in two years. The top goalscorer in the club's short Liga 1 history, transfers to South African club Mamelodi Sundowns in exchange for half a million euros.

Unlike the players on a two-week break, the club's management isn't going to stop working but has already started to come up with the new team lineup for next season.

"Our goal is to sign good players, have a strong team, and move up in the rankings if possible. It's important to note that Leo Grozavu stays. We've achieved this result with him, he knows the guys. He is also a determined coach with whom we will annoy the elite teams, and we will be able to surprise them in the Conference League," said László Diószegi. He also has to consult with the UEFA about the first domestic venue for the ECL match, because the Hungarian-State-funded stadium will be open for matches in August, while Sepsi will be in the second qualifying round at the end of July.

Like the president, the footballers of Sfântu Gheorghe couldn't find the words either. Goalkeeper Roland Niczuly, who has spent the longest period in the club, and already contributed to their win in Liga 2 said they don't want to stop here.

"Next season will be tougher because every club is going to take us more seriously, but we have to do well," said the goalkeeper. He also confessed that the spectacular evasion of Viitorul's striker Juhvel Tsoumous who attacked him was planned revenge, as three years ago, in Sibiu's colors, the Congolese attacker scored by taking the ball away from him.

According to Lóránd Fülöp, they played an exciting and pretty tight game all along.

"It was a great night; we could win with a good game. The team's been great all year, but next year we need more because we set the bar high," said the striker, who is on loan from Puskás Akadémia.

Translated by Vanda Orosz