FC Steaua București in European football League semi-final against Benfica (1987–88) and one more Champions League final in 1989, which was lost 4–0 in to the Milan side of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard. During these last years of the Communist regime in Romania, dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu's son Valentin was involved in the life of the team. Even though a controversial character, Valentin Ceaușescu admitted in a recent interview he had done nothing else than to protect his favourite team from Dinamo București's sphere of influence, ensured by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Though contested by some, their five-year winning streak in the
1989 XXV FIBA International Christmas Tournament 2, December 25, 1989 Day 3, December 26, 1989 1989 XXV FIBA International Christmas Tournament The 1989 XXV FIBA International Christmas Tournament "Trofeo Raimundo Saporta-Memorial Fernando Martín" was the 25th edition of the FIBA International Christmas Tournament. It took place at Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain, on 24, 25 and 26 December 1989 with the participations of Real Madrid (champions of the 1988–89 FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup), Jugoplastika (champions of the 1988–89 FIBA European Champions Cup), Aris (champions of the 1988–89 Greek Basket League) and Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv (runners-up of the 1988–89 FIBA