Clubul Sportiv Național Sebiș, commonly known as Național Sebiș, is a Romanian football based in Sebiș, Arad County, currently playing in Liga IV Arad, one of the county leagues that make up the fourth tier of the Romanian football league system.

Founded in 1922 as Sebișana Sebiș, later known as Avântul (from 1950) and Crișana (from 1953), and re-founded in 2004, Național spent twelve consecutive seasons in Liga III after its promotion in 2008, before withdrawing during the winter break of the 2019–20 season due to financial problems. After a two-year hiatus, the club joined Liga VI Arad County, the sixth tier, and earned two consecutive promotions.

History

The origins of football in Sebiș date back to the early 1920s, when engineer G. Fakelmann, who also served as a player and coach for several years, introduced the game to the town, bringing the first football and equipment and organizing a group of local youngsters. The first team, named Sebișana, was officially established on 15 March 1922 and included players such as Al. Moțocan, Nicolae Volan, Sever Scrofan, Laloș Ronay, Ștefan Moț, Iosif Bălan, Ion Ardelean, Ioan Piki, Pavel Pugna, Mihai Schelep, and G. Fakelmann. Some sources suggest that football activity existed as early as 1920, when a local side reportedly defeated Gloria Arad 4–0. In 1923, Sebișana played its first recorded matches, including a 2–1 victory against Zărand Brad, as football quickly gained popularity in the area.

Over the following decades, the team, known as Avântul from 1950 and later as Crișana from 1953, continued to perform well in regional competitions, competing in the Arad County Championship from the 1968–69 season, where it placed 6th, and maintaining the same position in 1969–70. Crișana improved to 3rd place in 1970–71, ended as runners-up in 1971–72, and secured promotion to Divizia C by winning the county title in 1972–73. The squad, coached by Daniel Bătrin, included Emil Avasilică, G. Verșigan, Ion Horga, Iosif Haija, Mihal Deliman, Ion Iercan, Nicolae Nica, Pascu Belea, Ion Pop, Pavel Pop, Ioan Coșeri, Tiberiu Sălejan, Ioan Băruța, Moise Jucan, Teodor Lupșa, and Ioan Roszeter.

In Divizia C, Crișana Sebiș finished 11th in Series IX of the 1973–74 season, but the following campaign proved disastrous, as the team finished last in Series VIII, thirteen points behind the 15th place, and was relegated to the Arad County Championship.

Former logo

In the 2007–08 season, Național achieved promotion to Liga III after winning Liga IV Arad County and the promotion play-off, defeating Arieșul Câmpeni, the Alba County winners, 1–0, and went on to spend twelve consecutive seasons in Liga III before withdrawing due to financial problems during the winter break of the 2019–20 season.

Național Sebiș returned after a two-year hiatus, joining Liga VI Arad, the sixth tier of the Romanian football league system. The team was built around several experienced players, together with young talents from the Sebiș area, and under the guidance of former players Flavius Raț and Leontin Sârb, they won the championship at the end of the 2021–22 season, earning promotion to the fifth tier.

With Flavius Raț as head coach in 2022–23, Național achieved back-to-back promotions, winning the Series C of the fifth-tier championship and advancing to Liga IV Arad.

At that time, the club had five youth groups, coordinated by former footballer Dorel Balint, who also took over as head coach of the first team during the winter break of the 2023–24 season, leading Național Sebiș to a 14th-place finish and 8th in the 2024–25 season. Balint stepped down in October 2025, leaving the team under Ovidiu Vezan and Cosmin Merșca, before Flavius Raț returned as head coach during the winter break, while Leontin Sârb took over the coordination of the youth sector, also serving as sporting director.

Honours

Liga III

  • Runners-up (1): 2013–14

Liga IV – Arad County

  • Winners (2): 1972–73, 2007–08
  • Runners-up (1): 1971–72

Liga V – Arad County

  • Winners (1): 2022–23

Liga VI – Arad County

  • Winners (1): 2021–22

League and cup history

SeasonTierDivisionPlaceNotesCupa României
2024–254Liga IV (AR)8th
2023–244Liga IV (AR)14th
2022–235Liga V (AR) (Seria C)1st (C)Promoted
2021–226Liga VI (AR) (Seria B)1st (C)Promoted
2020–21Not active
2019–203Liga III (Seria IV)15thWithdrew
2018–193Liga III (Seria IV)6th
2017–183Liga III (Seria IV)3rd
2016–173Liga III (Seria IV)4th
2015–163Liga III (Seria IV)4th
2014–153Liga III (Seria IV)4th
2013–143Liga III (Seria V)2nd
2012–133Liga III (Seria V)8th
2011–123Liga III (Seria V)9th
2010–113Liga III (Seria V)7th
2009–103Liga III (Seria V)5th
2008–093Liga III (Seria V)8th
2007–084Liga IV (AR)1st (C)Promoted
2006–074Liga IV (AR)5th
2005–064Divizia D (AR)11th

Former players

Former managers

External links