 After the resignation of her lifelong coach Dan Podeanu, she began training under Octavian Zidaru.In the 2012–13 season Brânză made the podium in six out of eight entries in World Cup events, including gold medals in the Challenge International de Saint-Maur and the Havana Grand Prix.She led CSA Steaua to a silver medal in the European Champion Clubs' Cup in Naples.