Iulian Filipescu

Romanian footballer

Iulian Sebastian Filipescu (born 29 March 1974) is a Romanian former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

Filipescu was born in Slatina, Olt County. He debuted in Divizia A with Steaua București in 1992, where he won seven domestic trophies. In 1997, he moved abroad joining Turkish team Galatasaray where he won three trophies. Later he joined Primera División club Real Betis, and played four and a half seasons there before joining FC Zürich. He retired in 2008 after he spent to seasons at MSV Duisburg. During the 2006 Swiss Championship FC Basel 1893 were atop the league table, leading Zürich by three points heading into the last game of the season. Both teams met at that last game at St. Jakob Park, where Zürich needed to win to tie with Basel on points and take the title on superior goal differential. Alhassane Keita scored in the 31st minute and gave Zurich the advantage, Mladen Petrić tying it at 1–1 in the 73rd minute. In the 93rd, Filipescu scored the game winning goal past Pascal Zuberbühler, with Zürich winning both the game 2–1 and the Swiss Super League title. After the final whistle, Basel fans stormed the pitch and chased the Zürich players and officials. Filipescu was the main target for scoring the winning goal and was almost hit by a large firework.

Filipescu made his debut for the Romania national team in 1996 against Yugoslavia, and represented his country at the UEFA Euro 1996, 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000. He played his last international match in 2003, earning 52 caps and scoring one goal.