Long before joining the world of numbers and accounting situations at Connections, and even after, one of our colleagues was, attention!, a football player! And not just an amateur, since football is integrated into his lifestyle: he has been practicing it since childhood and even played alongside professionals.
Accountant by day, football player by DNA, Ștefan from Accounting, as we call him, is always an athlete, only he practices football during his free time.
When he’s at Connections, he dribbles through numbers and accounting documents, while in his free time, he chases the ball, performs feints, and shoots at goal on the football field. And this has honed his ability to play in a team, sharpened his mind, and brought him a personal history marked by achievements and unique experiences that few of us have the opportunity to go through.
Football passion: a family legacy
For Ștefan, football is both a passion and a family legacy—a way of keeping alive the memory of evenings spent with his grandfather, watching matches with bated breath.
“I discovered football watching a game with my grandfather. I remember it was a Steaua – FC Baia Mare match. My grandfather, being from Baia Mare, supported the hometown team, but I began to sympathize with Steaua, which won the game 7-0. Since then, I’ve been fascinated by the game, and one of the players who inspired me was Marius Lăcătuș, who scored at least one goal per game back then.”
Later, he began playing with the ball whenever he stepped outside. He made friends with the older neighborhood kids and joined their team. Of course, from this position, he didn’t have the luxury of choosing which position to play, but it didn’t matter. He was just happy to be able to play, to feel the adrenaline, and to be part of a team that stepped onto the field together.
From playground football to professional leagues
He watched his favorite team’s matches on TV, played with friends, then with teammates, insisted, and got better. Soon, doors to performance began to open: he was selected for his first football team, Temerarii. Later, he was recruited to play for I.M.G.B. – the team of the Bucharest Heavy Machinery Enterprise.
“At I.M.G.B., I played junior football in the municipal championship, which had 13 teams. We managed to become municipal champions. I learned to play as a right-back, and then I played on the right wing and even as a forward.”
All roads lead to… football
After tasting the sweet victory, Ștefan took a break from competitive football and focused on attending a theoretical high school, where studies and exams took center stage.
However, in 2006, his path crossed football once more: he was selected to participate in a TV show on Prima TV, where contestants trained for three months like real professional players, under the guidance of coaches Jean Vlădoiu and Alexandru Andrași. At the end, they played an official match against a team of retired professional football players, including members of the Romanian national team.
“The training was intense during those three months, but we had all the necessary conditions: training and playing equipment, the National Football Team’s training base at Mogoșoaia, fields, gym facilities, friendly matches with the Romania National Team juniors, a unique match with the Rahova Penitentiary inmates’ team, another match with the Romanian women’s champion team, a mountain training camp at Fundățica, interviews, appearances in magazines. We even had a team anthem composed by Voltaj and a psychologist, just like a professional team.”
They were then invited to a beach football tournament, where many well-known teams participated, such as Steaua, Dinamo, FC Argeș, and the Romanian artists’ team. There, he had the chance to play alongside famous footballers like Belodedici, Bogdan Mara, Stângaciu, Mateuț, Prodan, Stoica, Jean Vlădoiu, Pițurcă, Constantinovic, and many others.
These experiences left a lasting mark on his discipline, team spirit, and his ability to continuously learn and improve.
Performance “with the ball,” whether in math or sport
Practicing a sport for many years doesn’t go without its “repercussions,” says Ștefan. He is in excellent physical shape and has learned the meaning of teamwork, how to rely on others, and how to bring out the best in them – and we’re happy to see this every day in the Connections team.
“Football has given me confidence in myself, contributing to better physical and mental health, and has also been an excellent way to relax. I believe football also contributes to a clearer mind, especially if you dedicate time to studying as well. During intense study periods or exams, evening football matches were always refreshing and a great way to unwind.”
Although he has put aside the story of stadiums full of cheering fans, football still plays an important role in his life: he plays weekly football matches with friends, and whenever he gets the chance, he’s in the stands, chanting for his favorite team, FCSB, or for the Romanian National Team. Occasionally, he watches other teams that are in good form because he enjoys seeing talented players in action. This passion has continued to evolve through each stage of his life, showing us that a true passion always finds its place in our lives.
Tips for aspiring football players
- Play for the love of the game and enjoy it!
- Train consistently and seize every opportunity to get on the field, as modern football emphasizes physical preparation and tactical play.
- Coaches and role models in sports are crucial for progress. Today, there are plenty of matches to watch and learn from, and the internet is full of drills, tactics, and dribbles. Surround yourself with more experienced players, from whom you can always learn.
- To keep playing at a high level even as you age, it’s essential to stay healthy. That means avoiding injuries, eating healthily, getting enough rest, and steering clear of habits that don’t align with a sporting lifestyle, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using harmful substances.
