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Sunday, June 15, 2025

Kujtim Majaci and the Apolonia of Fier!

 

Kujtim Majaci (20 March 1962 - 14 July 2009)

Unforgettable, Majaci is undoubtedly one of the symbols of the city of Fier. Especially in football, he is the greatest footballer of all time and the best scorer for this city! Alongside intellectuals in various fields, numerous artists, Majaci as an athlete has also contributed to the name of Fier standing out as one of the vanguard, main and important cities of Albania. So, in this city if football is mentioned, Kujtim Majaci would definitely be the most famous name.

Majaci and Apolonia, Apolonia and Majaci!

Both have no meaning without each other. Apolonia was once a city well-known in antiquity for its economic and cultural importance, whose ruins are close to today's Fier, and whose name was taken by the football team and the city's sports club founded in 1925.

Apolonia of Fier football, will be 5 times winner of the second category: 1966–67, 1971–72, 1978–79, 1984–85, 2019-20!
So, it means that the team participated in several seasons in the first category championships, especially in the mid-80s, alongside the best teams of the national rank! From 1968-1969 to 1970-1971; returns and participates only one season in the years 1972-1973; and 1979-1980; And after 5 years re-enters the first category in the 1985-1986 season to stay until the end of the 90s! Apolonia has won the Albanian Cup once (1997-1998), the Super Cup (1998) and is a two-time winner of the “Bashkimi Newspaper” Cup (1985, 1988).


However, in the international arena its experience is negative. In the 1989-1990 season Apolonia participated in the UEFA Cup, which was eliminated in the first round by AJ Auxerre (0-3 / 0-5). In the 1998-1999 season Apolonia would be eliminated in the preliminary round of the UEFA Cup, against the Belgian team KRC Genk (1-5 / 0-4).

Only in the early 80s and especially in the 1985-1986 season and onwards, Apolonia would reach its highest level of Fier football like never before. Precisely this team composed of names such as Stefa, Tegu, Bita, Mece, Haxhia, Kokuri, Tole and above all by the outstanding striker Kujtim Majaci.

His skills as a great player and a top scorer, together with the strength of Apolonia this season, explosive, technical and attacking football, will test the biggest teams like Partizani, Dinamo, Vllaznia, 17 Nentori, Flamurtari, Luftetari, Lokomotiva, who will be defeated by them in the “Loni Papuciu” stadium, always full on Sundays!





In the 1985-1986 season, in the second week (September 15) they will stop Dinamo in Tirana (1-1); In the third week (September 22) they will beat Vllaznia in Fier (3-1) and will be ranked third in the table standings.

Then, Majaci and his Apolonia beat Flamurtari 1-0 in Fier on October 6 (week 5), held Vllaznia in Shkoder (1-1) in week 16 on March 9, 1986; They beat “17 Nentori” 4-1 in week 19 on March 30; drew in Gjirokaster against Luftetari (2-2) on April 20, 1986, and at the end of this season, they were positioned in 7th place with 26 points.




 

* * *
Kujtim Majaci was born in Fier on March 14, 1962. For 15 years he played with Apolonia and the National Team, where he scored a total of 174 goals.
In the years 1979-1980, with the youth team, he was declared the winter champion.

Immediately in the second phase, he was called to adult main team by the coach Vangjel Capo and since then he has become the most important member of the first team.


Since Apolonia's in the First Division, in the 1985-1986 season, Kujtim Majaci broke the long-standing record of the best goal scorer in the championship.

With his 20 goals, he became the new record holder of that time, leaving behind Ilir Përnaska with 19 goals.






Kujtim Majaci has been a symbolic player of Apolonia and the city of Fier, being active with this team for 15 years, from the 1977-1978 season to the 1992-1993 season.

He played around 300 league matches and with 174 goals scored by him, to this day, Majaci continues to be the best scorer in the history of the Fier club.
He was called up to the National Team “Kombetarja” just for 3 matches, where he made his debut on January 18, 1989, against Greece (1-1). On March 8, 1989, Majaci played in the last 15 minutes replacing Letter Millon in the 2–0 defeat at the “Qemal Stafa” Stadium against England, a match valid for the 1990 World Cup qualifiers. He played his third and final match with the National Team on November 17, 1990, in a Euro 1990 qualifying match against France, which ended in a 1–0 defeat at the “Qemal Stafa” Stadium.

Majaci suffered a cardiac arrest while with his family on Seman beach on July 14, 2009.

In honor of Majaci, a bust of him has been erected and the "Majaci Cup" is now organized. Kujtim Majaci remains a legend of Fier football and one of the stars of Albanian football.




© Copyright by Pjerin Bj
New York: June 10, 2025

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Sports Vision + Plus / Champions Hour since 2013

History of Champions | "There are three sevens in the world, Keegan - Hado - Popivoda"!



 “Three “7” has the world, Keegan – Hado – Popivoda”!

It's the 80s, more precisely, the late 70s and early 80s, when during this period of time, the fans of the Albanian Partizan team cheered with the slogan: "There are three sevens in the world, Keegan - Hado - Popivoda" (tre shtata ka bota, Keegan – Hado - Popivoda!

During those years, Keegan and Popivoda were of course well-known players in Europe, especially "King Kev", but for the non-Albanian audience...Hado?



Kevin Keegan or "King Kev" / "Mighty Mouse", was the great English football champion of the Liverpool school, with a small stature, but very strong physically, and one of the Stars of World Football, winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1980.

He was known for his dribbling and his role was a real striker with the number 7!



Meanwhile, Danilo Popivoda, was a footballer of the former Yugoslav republics, mainly quite well-known in the late 1970s. He played 20 matches, scoring 5 goals for the former Yugoslavia. Popivoda came from the club Olimpia Ljubljana (Slovenia) where he had played there for 10 years, from 1965 – 1975. His role was right wing forward, also with number 7.

The third seven, Bujar Hado!


Born on March 24, 1956, and trained as a player in Delvina, the blond hair guy with the German "Teutonic" or "Nordic" appearance was currently enjoying excellent form as a goal scorer, whom Partizan had taken to the team from "Butrinti" of Saranda in the 1978-1979 season at the age of 22.

Hado scored in almost every field, against every opponent and was the top scorer of Partizan, the military club with which he played for 4 seasons (1978-1979 / 1979-1980 / 1980-1981 / 1981-1982).

He reached his peak and fame as a striker precisely with this team, scoring 36 goals in the Championship, and the Republic Cup. Especially the 1980-1981 season was his highest point, being crowned national champion for the second time. He also won a Republic Cup with Partizan.

With the red jerseys of Partizan, he was activated in the starting lineup in 4 matches that he played in the European Cups during his time. Two matches in each cup, the Champions League and the Cup Winners' Cup, as well as in the matches for the Balkan Cup with a goal scored against "Rjeka" of the former Yugoslavia.



He made his debut in the Cup Winners' Cup against Malmoe, in Sweden on September 17, 1980, which Partizani lost 0-1. He played the full return match in Tirana same year on September 30 in a goalless draw 0-0.

Hado also played the full 90 minutes in two matches for the Champions Cup a year later, on September 16, 1981, in Vienna, against Austria Vienna (1-3); and in the unforgettable return match in Tirana same year on September 30, won (1-0), under a torrential rain.


After Partizan, he will be transferred for three seasons to Lokomotiva of Durres from 1982-1983 to 1984-1985. Here too he will score decisive goals and where together with the two well-known Ballgjini brothers they will form a beautiful ensemble of rival teams during these seasons. Hado stood out for his skills as a scorer, being also prepared scoring with header.



© Copyright
by Pjerin Bj.
New York: June 14, 2025

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Vision +Plus / Champions Hour in activity since 2013

The unique case of Pele's debut!


 

To stimulate the curiosity of our readers we have formulated the question as follows: Has it ever happened in football that a player made his debut for the national team before his club team?

This is a practically impossible feat. In a certain sense, only the greatest, Pelé, managed it. In a certain sense, because on July 7, 1957, sixteen-year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento belonged to the Santos reserves (he was the shadow man of the future AC Milan player Del Vecchio) and therefore had not yet made his debut in the championship.

Coach Lula had given him the starting spot on four occasions alone in the San Paolo Rio Tournament, which saw the top five teams from the Paulista and Carioca championships compete. Pelé began playing for Santos at age 15. Just one year later, It was therefore a surprise when, in view of the Copa "Roça" between Brazil and Argentina, the coach Silvio Pirillo also called up the "baby" Pelé.

Some thought it was a mistake. Instead, on July 7, 1957, in the second half, down 0-1, he sent him on the field in place of "Mazola", aka José Altafini, a nineteen-year-old making his second appearance.
Brazil lost the match 2-1 but Pelé, needless to say, scored at 32`.
And it happened again three days later, when in the return match Brazil won 2-0, with a goal from the future "Black Pearl" and a second from Altafini himself, winning the Cup.

Photos above shows incredibly early Pelé Brazil match worn jersey dating to his 1957 debut season with Seleção.

It could be his earliest known Brazil National Team jersey! The white cotton shirt with an open blue collar and ribbed blue sleeve-ends has an early CBD (Confederação Brasileira de Desportos or Brazil Sports Confederation) crest embroidered on the left chest, with his famous number “10” on the back in blue.
The provenance of this shirt is very significant.

It was gifted by Pelé to fellow Brazilian superstar, Garrincha, who teamed with Pelé for the 1958 and 1962 World Cup titles. Many forget that Pelé got injured in the second game of the ’62 WC and missed the rest of the tournament in Chile. It was Garrincha who led Seleção to their ’62 FIFA crown. With the two legends on the pitch together, Brazil never lost a match.

© Copyright by
Pjerin Bj
New York: June 14, 2025
_______________________________
Sports Vision + Plus / Champions Hour in activity since 2013

The “La Paz” Team Air Tragedy in Bolivia!



It is the evening of September 26, 1969, twenty years and a few weeks have passed since the disaster that wiped out the Grande Torino.

In the Bolivian skies, a DC-6 of the Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano company is en route from Santa Cruz to the capital La Paz. Among the passengers is almost the entire Bolivian team The Strongest of La Paz, one of the most famous clubs in the country (16 national titles in the cabinet), returning from a friendly match in Santa Cruz.

For circumstances that will never be fully clarified, the pilot suddenly loses control of the aircraft, which crashes in a mountainous region called La Chancha, near the mining center of Viloco, about 100 kilometers from La Paz.

The impact is terrible: 69 passengers die, including 19 "Tigers of La Paz", according to the nickname of the members of the yellow and black club.

When rescuers arrive, the scene is horrifying. In the immense tragedy, an entire football team, the most famous in the country, has been wiped off the face of the earth. The emotional backlash of the news is enormous, given the club's popular following.

Never before, the Bolivian newspapers would write a few days later, had the country been so completely moved by a tragedy. Testimonies of solidarity came from every corner of Bolivia and the loss of almost the entire squad even raises fears that the rich history of the Strongest, which began on April 8, 1908, could have ended with this immense disaster.

Which saw Orlando Cáceres (Paraguayan), Armando Angelacio (Paraguayan) fall. Julio Diaz, Jorge Tapia, Hernán Andretta (Argentine), Miguel Angel Porta (Argentine), Héctor Marchetti (Argentine), Diógenes Torrico, Oscar Flores, Fernando Durán, Eduardo Arrigó (Argentine), Juan Iriondo, Germán Alcázar, Osvaldo Franco, Roberto Farfán and Ernesto Villegas, as well as Eustaquio Ortuño (coach) and his technical staff collaborators José Ayllón and Felipe Aguilar. Only three Gallone players were saved, not having boarded the cursed plane due to physical problems: Rolando Vargas was suffering from a bad flu, Luis Gini (Paraguayan) was recovering from an injury and Marco Antonio Velasco was in plaster.

Even more fortuitous was the circumstance that saved the life of Air Force General Alberto Alarcón, who was leading the delegation: a yellow-black fan, Oscar Guzmán, who had followed the team, had to return urgently and had begged him to sit on the plane because he could not insistently leave his seat to him because he was going to be late for work. An endless crowd marched for two days toward the Metropolitan Cathedral of La Paz where the funeral wake was held, and thousands of Bolivians accompanied the mortal remains to the cemetery.

Fortunately, the Strongest did not die. In the midst of the tragedy, a club director stepped into the spotlight, taking on the task of raising the "Tiger" from its ashes.

His name was Rafael Mendoza and together with a group of friends who were very attached to the yellow and black colors he got to work, receiving expressions of solidarity first from the historic rivals of Bolivar, then from the Bolivian Football Federation, from FIFA and from the South American Football Confederation and from several clubs on the continent, some of which were Argentine, such as River Plate and Boca Juniors.

The latter, on the idea of its president Alberto J. Armando, organized a charity match in Buenos Aires and lent the Bolivian team two players from the youth team, Luis Fernando Bastida and Victor Hugo Romero. "Armando made an exceptional gesture," Mendoza later recalled. "He told me: go to La Candela (Boca's training ground). There you will find a group of twenty of the best young players of the club. Choose the three you like the most. As for the others, choose as many as you want."

From nothing, the new The Strongest was born and under the guidance of "Don Rafo" it returned to greatness, winning the national title several times and standing out in recent years for the creation of a model sports center, built in the Achumani residential area. Over thirty years after the La Chancha tragedy, the Strongest is more alive and vital than ever.
(September 2000)

By Marino Bartoletti
Calcio 2000 / N. 34 – September 2000 / Pag. 24-25
Translated to English by: Pjerin Bj
(Personal collection of the magazine)

__________________________
Sports Vision + Plus / Champions Hour in activity since 2013


__________________________

Sports Vision + Plus / Champions Hour in activity since 2013

Sunday, June 8, 2025

(Second Part) Championship Season 1982-1983 | Vllaznia wins the title with a "photo finish" thanks to the goal difference against Partizan!

 


https://www.sportsvisionplus.com/part-one-championship-season-1982-1983-vllaznia-wins-the-title-with-a-photo-finish-thanks-to-the-goal-difference-against-partizan/
1-st Part link as above!



2nd Part

START OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The championship, which this year started on August 22nd, even with the heat of summer days, showed that in the first week the rival duo Partizani and Vllaznia. The Reds, who actually played on August 23rd, win cleanly against Traktori 3-0, while Vllaznia won a rockabilly victory in Stalin City against Naftetari 4-3.

But in the second week, Partizani lost 1-0 to Flamurtari in Vlora and Vllaznia was held 0-0 in Elbasan. This week the card match is the Derby Dinamo–17 Nentori 3-4, 7 goals and all in the second half. Lokomotiva's heavy 6-0 victory over Naftetari stands out. 4 teams will be the leaders of the classification, all with 4 points, but divided according to goal difference: Lokomotiva (+8), 17 Nentori, (+3), Tomorri (+3), and Flamurtari (+2). The three contenders Vllaznia, Partizani and Dinamo share the 5th, 6th, 7th places respectively.

In the third week, played on September 5, 1982, the victory of 17 Nentori (6-2) over Traktori stands out, who win the top of the table thanks to the goal difference in these first three weeks (+7). In second place is the surprise Tomorri with a full 6 points (+4), they this week have defeated the great Dinamo in Berat 1-0. Partizani, although they win 3-1 over Luftetari, is in 5th place with 4 points, the same as Vllaznia, which does not go further than 0-0 in Shkoder against Besa. Others: Flamurtari 0-0 in Lezha, as well as Lokomotiva in Korca. Finally, Naftetari and what a victory over Labinoti 3-0 in Kucove.

In the 4th week, 17 Nentori and Tomorri continue to lead, but with 7 points each. Tirana achieves a spectacular draw in Vlora against Flamurtari (3-3), while Tomorri leaves Lushnja with a dry 0-0. The Lokomotiva - Partizani match also ends in a draw. In the most important match of the week, in Tirana, Vllaznia defeats Dinamo 3-2 in a match for strong hearts until the last minutes. Lokomotiva, Vllaznia and Flamurtari follow the two leaders with 6 points each, while Partizani comes after them with 5 points. In 11th place is Dinamo, with only 2 points in these 4 weeks. The standings are closed by Beselidhja and Labinoti with 1 point, both teams have not won yet.

In the 5th week, 4 matches are played on September 26, and the other three on October 6 due to the commitment of 17 Nentori and Dinamo in the European Cups. Lokomotiva is leading with 8 points after the minimal victory in Lezha against Beselidhja (1-0), the same number of points is also held by Vllaznia who displays a beautiful technical and explosive football by liquidating Traktori in Shkoder 4-0. Partizani wins in Tirana against Skenderbeu 2-0 but is 1 point behind Vllaznia in 4th place with equal points with 17 Nentori which on October 6 in the recovery match will lose 0-1 in Tirana against Luftetari of S. Braho, Seiti and Kalluci….


17 Nentori - Tirana!

Also in the other two recovery matches, Tomorri draws 1-1 against Flamurtari in Berat and the same is the result of Dinamo in Elbasan (1-1). In the end, the duo of Beselidhja and Labinoti continues with 1 point. One point more than them is Dinamo, which holds the 12th place in these 5 weeks.

It is October 3rd when the 6th week is played. Lokomotiva with a goalless draw 0-0 against 17 Nentori in Durres manages to keep the top of the standings with 9 points. Partizani cannot pass Naftetari in Tirana (0-0), Vllaznia completely loses the compass in Vlora (2-1). Now there are 5 teams with 8 points each sharing second place due to goal difference and that ranks them as follows: 17 Nentori (+7), Partizani (+6), Vllaznia (+5), Tomorri (+4), Flamurtari (+3). Finally Dinamo shows its strength! 4-1 in Tirana against Besa. Labinoti achieves its first victory 2-1 in Lushnje, leaving Beselidhja last after another defeat of “lezhjaneve” in Korca 3-0.

Lokomotiva Team of Durres...

Week 7, which is played on October 10, marks a rare and almost unbelievable fact. There are 6 leading teams with 10 points each! Such a balance has never been seen in the Albanian football championships and perhaps not only! Lokomotiva (+9) that drew 0-0 in Berat, 17 Nentori and Partizani (+7), after victories respectively 3-2 from Skenderbeu in Tirana and 0-1 in Lezha against Beselidhja. Vllaznia (+6), after a 1-0 victory in Shkoder against Luftetari, Tomorri (+4), Flamurtari (+3), after a 1-1 draw in Elbasan.

Lokomotiva's goal difference of 10-1 stands out, so only one goal conceded in 7 weeks, where the young goalkeeper Agim Maliqati, the son of the great Sulejman Maliqati, stands out. Dinamo loses 1-0 in Stalin City to Naftetari, and Beselidhja, which has scored only one goal, continues without a win (6 losses and one draw) and remains at the end with only 1 point.

Three matches of the 8th week, which is played on October 17, were held on November 3, due to the commitment of the Albanian representative teams, Kombetarja and Shpresa (U21),

The schedule this week will be without the matches of the 6 teams, three of which are contenders for the title and two direct challenges between them, Partizani-17 Nentori and Lokomotiva - Vllaznia.

Flamurtari, benefits and with the minimal victory 1-0 defeats Besa in Vlora, becoming the leader this week with 12 points. Behind it, 5 teams with 10 points, like a week ago. Nothing else to note except the loss of Tomorri in Korca (1-0) and above all the first victory of Beselidhja 1-0, against their rivals for survival, Naftetari. Now Traktori remains last, but with one less match.

Week 9 takes place on October 31, but there are still three games from week 8 to recover. 17 Nentori, after the 3-1 victory against Beselidhja, Tomorri who also beat Partizan 3-1 in Berat and Flamurtari who lost in Tirana against Dinamo (2-0), are the three leaders with 12 points this week, the surprise of which is that Partizan lost, despite having one game less.

Vllaznia draws 2-2 in Korca and alone holds 4th place with 11 points. Lokomotiva's loss in Elbasan (2-1) is also noteworthy, dropping it to 5th place with 10 points, the same as Partizan and Luftetari.
At the end are Traktori and Beselidhja.

After the 10th week, which is played on November 7, where all matches have already been played, 17 Nentori and Vllaznia are leading with 14 points, but with a goal difference of +11, Tirana is in first place.

The most important match of the week is won by the team from Shkodra in Tirana against Partizan 2-0 with goals from Luci and Bushati, and this will mark the turning point for Vllaznia, who are throwing their cards for the title, while Partizan until now has only been up and down so far but is only 2 points away from the leading duo.

Flamurtari is stopped in Vlora by Traktori 0-0, Lokomotiva – Besa draws (1-1), Luftetari – Dinamo (1-1), while Beselidhja cleanly defeats Tomorr 3-0 in Lezha and continues to remain last.


Tomorri of Berat

The 11th week of November 14 will be the week of draws among the pretenders. In Berat, 17 Nentori is divided without goals 0-0, just like Partizani in Elbasan (0-0). A draw for Vllaznia (1-1) in Shkoder in the northern derby against Beselidhja where the dangerous striker Fehmi Rama and goalkeeper Gezim Hasku stand out.


In Berat, Cilingiri honoring a special Tomorri fan!

This week also holds two surprises, the loss of Flamurtari in Stalin City 2-0, as well as that of Dinamo in Tirana (0-1) against Lokomotiva. Beautiful victory of Traktori (3-1) against Luftetari.

The lead of Vllaznia and 17 Nentori continues unchanged as the bottom of the standings remains the same with Traktori (8 points) and Beselidhja (6 points). Disappointing so far the form and appearance of Dinamo and Besa.


17 Nentori

Only 4 goals are scored this week, a negative record. It is November 21, 1982 when the most important match of the 12th week is played at the national stadium "Qemal Stafa", the clash between the two leaders 17 Nentori - Vllaznia, a challenge that ends in favor of the Tirana team 1-0, making them the only team to lead with 17 points.


Vllaznia, in Tirana before the match against 17 Nentori

Immediately after 17 Nentori, it is Lokomotiva that returns to the top of the table by defeating Traktori in Durres this week 2-0. Although Partizan's 1-0 victory against Besa is enough to position coach Birce's boys in third place with 15 points, the same as Vllaznia (+7) which has a better goal difference than Partizan (+5). The other four matches are all 0-0. Derby of Myzeqe, Tomorri-Naftetari, that of Laberia, Luftetari-Flamurtari and Beselidhja – Labinoti. The bottom of the table continued to remain unchanged.

The last week of the first round of the championship, which is played on November 28, the day of independence and the flag of Albania, brings surprises in itself.


Vllaznia is the Winter Champions 1982-1983 Vukata, S. Gruda, Zmijani, Pali, Boshnjaku, Dedja, Canga - Jera, Borshi, F. Rragami, A. Hafizi

Everyone is focused on the Dinamo-Partizani derby that ends in a 1-1 draw. However, in Elbasan, Labinoti broke 17 Nentori, 3-0, causing the latter to lose the lead and the title of Winter Champions that goes to Shkoder to Vllaznia, which beats Tomorri 3-0 in a packed “Vojo Kushi” stadium, although with equal points of 17 as Tirana has, but thanks to a better goal difference!

Even though it loses in Vlora, 2-0, the renovated Lokomotiva with the Ballgjini brothers and striker Hado remains in third place with 16 points, the same as Partizani, who continues to stay nearby, under observation like a predator ready to jump into action.

At the bottom of the table, Traktori has now lost 13th place to Besa, while Beselidhja is still last. Dinamo's position at the end of the first phase is also very disappointing, in 11th place with 11 points and an anemic goal difference of 15-14.

* * *

The second phase and the 14th week resumes on February 13, 1983, not without surprises. They are the draws of 17 Nentori, 1-1 in Kavaje against Besa, and Partizan also 1-1 in Lushnje. Of the contenders, only Vllaznia starts the second phase well with a victory, a 4-0 in Shkoder against Naftetari and now leading alone with 19 points. Meanwhile, Flamurtari climbs to third place after the victory in Vlora 3-2 against Skenderbeu.
Minimal victory of Dinamo 1-0 in Tirana against Beselidhja that continues at the bottom of the standings.

February 29, 1983! In the 15th week, even though Vllaznia drew 0-0 at “Vojo Kushi” against Labinoti, it maintains the top of the standings thanks to another draw in the derby between 17 Nentori and Dinamo (1-1)! A draw in the other main match of this week, but without goals between Partizan and Flamurtari.

The classification now reads as follows:
1. Vllaznia alone has 20 points, 2. 17 Nentori and Flamurtari have 19 points.
3. Partizan with 18 points, which are now 4 confirmed teams aiming for the championship title.

At the end of the classification, Beslidhja after a 3-0 victory against Traktori and Besa who lost 2-1 in Berat, have 10 points each. It is a very interesting championship, quite balanced especially in the fight for the title.

In the 16th week, played on February 27, 1983, Vllaznia returns from Kavaja with a goalless draw 0-0, making it possible to now share first place with 17 Nentori, who in turn go and win 1-0 in Lushnje. Flamurtari also seems to have all the cards to be champions this year. They win 2-1 in Vlora against Beselidhja  and draw points with Vllaznia and 17 Nentori.

There are now three contenders for the title who share first place with 21 points, except Vllaznia has the better goal difference (+14) over Tirana (+10) and over Flamurtari (+4).


Generational relay. Braho gives the jersey to the young man - Bellai

Partizan loses ground by falling in Gjirokaster (1-0) against Luftetari and falls to 4th place, while drawing level on points (18) with Lokomotiva which wins (1-0) against Skenderbeu. Dinamo climbs in the standings after a disappointing first phase. This week they win in Tirana 1-0 against Tomorri!

In the last places in the fight for survival, Besa thanks to the goal difference (-8) with 11 points, this week has left Traktori with 11 points (-14) and Beselidhja with 10 points (-4) in 13th and 14th places respectively.

On March 6, 1983, in week 17, we have a change of leadership. Three draws in a row for Shkodra. Vllaznia cannot win against Dinamo in “Vojo Kushi” (1-1) and loses first place to 17 Nentori who defeats 3-0 in Tirana, their other direct rival Flamurtari. Partizani scores 4 goals against Lokomotiva (4-0), but remains in 4th place with 20 points.
The classification reads as follows:
1. 17 Nentori 23 points; 2. Vllaznia 22 points; 3. Flamurtari 21 points;
4. Partizani 20 points.


At the bottom of the standings, the traveling Traktori won the Myzeqar derby in Berat 1-0, while Beselidhja shared a scoreless draw in Lezha (0-0) against Luftetari, and Besa lost outright in Elbasan (1-0).
Now Traktori in 12th place has 13 points, Beselidhja and Besa, respectively in 13th and 14th places, have 11 points each.

There are still 8 weeks left until the end of this season full of emotions and rivalry, and it must be said that from this week until the end, the championship enters and becomes even more interesting to follow. So far, Partizani has joined the leading duo of Vllaznia and 17 Nentori, while Flamurtari is losing some ground behind.

Week 18 is played on March 13, 1983.
This week we have 5 draws and two wins. 4 of the draws are goalless 0-0.
8 is the number of goals scored in the 7 matches of this week where 5 goals were scored only in Kavaje with the victory of Besa 3-2 against Naftetari who always has an attacking accent.

The four contenders do not go further than a goalless result, thus leaving Vllaznia in Lushnje, 17 Nentori in Gjirokaster, Partizani in Korce, and Flamurtari in Vlora against Tomorri. Only 0-0! Thus, with draws leaving the ranking table without any change for this week.

Week 19. Three contender's wins. 17 Nentori wins over Lokomotiva (2-1) in Tirana, Partizani 1-0 in Stalin City, and Vllaznia over Flamurtari in Shkoder 2-0 in the most important match of the week.
The standings are as follows: 17 Nentori 26 points, Vllaznia 25, Partizani 23, Flamurtari 22!


Vllaznia line up in its town, Shkodra, in front of their fans!

With a victory (3-2) in Kavaje, Dinamo is now in 5th place with 20 points, tying Labinoti and Lokomotiva with the same number of points.

At the end of standings, for the moment, there are three teams fighting for survival in the first category: Traktori has 15 points, Besa 13 and Beselidhja 12, respectively in 12th, 13th, 14th places!

On April 3, 1983, when the 20th week was played, both leaders lost.
17 Nentori 2-0 in Korce and Vllaznia 1-0 in Gjirokaster, suffering the third defeat in this championship. Partizani takes advantage, and beats Beselidhja 2-0 in Tirana. Now no one can stop the momentum of the reds who enjoy the best form of all. Flamurtari, who is fourth in the standings, beats Labinoti 3-0 in Vlora, being two points away from the leader.

Now the standings become very interesting. The fight for the title becomes open among the 4 teams. 17 Nentori continues the lead with 26 points and right behind it, Vllaznia and Partizani (25) have one point less. Flamurtari is chasing the trio with 24 points.

The end of the table this week also brings a change in positions. Here too, the number of teams playing for survival becomes 4. Naftetari, Besa, Traktori and Beselidhja! In the direct match between the rivals, Besa wins in Lushnje 1-0, moving up to 12th place with equal points as Traktori (15), but with a better goal difference. Naftetari with 16 points, who lost in Tirana against Dinamo (1-0), now feels the breath of Besa and Traktori from close range. Beselidhja is the most endangered, closing the ranking in 14th place with 12 points.


Traktori , Lushnja team!        

It is April 10, 1983, when the 21st week is played, the date that 17 Nentori, after losing the derby to Partizan (0-1), also loses the top spot of the table.

Partizan's third consecutive victory sends them to the top of the standings, although with equal points with Vllaznia (27 points), which in turn wins 1-0 in Shkoder against Lokomotiva.

Vllaznia has a goal difference of + 16 to Partizan's +12, and from this week, the historic duel of both to win the title begins, but 17 nentori will also be there as a third party ready to take advantage of the wrong steps of the two opponents, but in the last week they will be the ones who will pave the way….

Like Tirana, Flamurtari also loses ground again when they lose in Kavaje 2-1 to Besa who reacts by somehow escaping the hot zone of relegation from the category. They draw with points (17) Naftetari who in the direct match with Beselidhja does not go further than a poor 0-0. Traktori also reacts and gets a draw (1-1) with Dinamo in Tirana, but still has 16 points in 13th place. Beselidhja's fate seems to be decided, in last place with 13 points.

April 17, 1983!
Week 22 favors Partizan, which reaches the top and leads the classification table, after a 1-0 victory over Tomori in Tirana. A very difficult match and characterized by controversy where Genci Tomori scores in the 87th minute. The Beratas players who had resisted until that moment do not agree with the referee who is getting the situation a little out of hands.

Tomori and Lika, two main attack players, also members of the National Team, are excluded for Partizan, and both miss the gathering with the representative against the next match against Northern Ireland. However, Partizan leads alone but this success will prove provisional.


Partizan, the team representing the Albanian People's Army

 Vllaznia falls (2-0) in Korce and loses first place. 17 Nentori another stoppage. Beselidhja, which is in trouble for its existence in the first category, despite its efforts, only manages to get a goalless draw (0-0). Flamurtari in Vlora defeats Dinamo 2-0, but now the fight for the title is between Partizan (29 points), Vllaznia and 17 Nentori, who both have 27 points.

The situation in the last 4 places is very interesting.
A 3-2 victory of Traktori (18 points) over direct rival Naftetari puts the latter in trouble, who have 17 points in 13th place, together with Besa, which thanks to goal difference is in 12th place.

May 1, 1983, in the 23rd week, three weeks to the end, the most important match not only of the week, but of this entire season will be played in Shkoder. In the packed stadium, the direct match that will decide over 90% of the championship title takes place. Vllaznia – Partizani.


Vllaznia - Partizani in Shkoder 

It seems that both teams are saying to each other “here we are again in the next challenge” … and what challenge is this of this season!!!

Something has happened in the ranks of Partizan. Why do they play more absentees in the most decisive match of the championship?

Both teams, under the direction of referees Dhori Prifti, R. Abegu and S. Kosti, take to the field with these formations:

VLLAZNIA: Sukaj (Kushe), Zmijani, Rragami, Pali, Dedja, Borshi, Hafizi, Jera, Vukatana, Fakja, Gruda.
COACH: R.Rragami.

PARTIZANI: Lekbello (Musta) Starova, Meçe, Beliu (Zhupa), Ocelli, Ferko, Haxhiu, Lazametaj, Duro, Gëzdari, Mançe.
COACH: Bejkush Birçe.

And Vllaznia wins with full merit 4-1. Shkodran's momentum is already in the first minutes when they score by Jera in the 15th minute. 6 minutes later Partizani equalized by Haxhiu 1-1, but not much time passed and in the 31st and 36th minutes Vukatana put Vllaznia ahead 3-1, the results that closed the first 45 minutes. In the 81st minute S. Gruda sealed the final score 4-1.

Partizan has felt the absence of more than half of the team. To fix something in the second half, coach Birce decides to put Musta in goal, but he alone can't do anything in the absence of others like Eksarko and Hysi (injured), Ahmetaj and Lame (with the punishment measure from the coach), Tomori and Lika (disqualified with red cards a match earlier) as well as Vladimir Skuro.

But what happened to Partizan and why this whim of the strict coach Bejkush Birce to punish three key players of his team? Was that punitive measure a whim or an injustice from his players and the Albanian representative?

Musta, Ahmetaj, Lame as well as Eksarko and Hysi (who were injured) engaged with the Albanian national team, after returning from Belfast, did not show up in Durres, the place where Partizani had gathered the day before the decisive match against Vllaznia. The three players fled to Tirana to their families in defiance of the coach's call. Such an action, the underestimation of the coach's word, causes a harsh reaction which immediately takes the punitive measure for not activating them.

Tension is created so much that the matter goes to the ministry where the high-ranking military officers order the return of the basic players to the formation, but Birce continues to insist on his measure. Birce does not even accept the pleas of Musta and Ahmetaj to cut their salaries, only to return to the formation in the match against Vllaznia. And “thanks” to this extremely strict measure, Partizani loses the points that would later be worth winning the championship title.

It is a fact that few can believe, and in reality, how is it possible that the work done, the effort and the sacrifice of a year to win the title are left to the mercy of fate by a stubborn person?

Years later, coach Bejkush Birce himself will testify that the fault for losing that title was his. Regarding this unexpected issue, in the pages of the newspaper "Sporti Popullor" there was an article with the title "Why did the coaches act like this and why do the clubs agree with such positions...?"

That week neither Targaj nor Luarasi nor any other players who were members of the Albanian representative team that the coaches had not activated played with their teams.

What about the others? 17 Nëntori wins in Kucove 1-0 while the classification has three leaders with 29 points but who share the first three places thanks to goal difference.
Thus we have:
1. Vllaznia +17; 2. 17 Nëntori +12; 3. Partizani +10.

Luftetari has reached 4th place after that 3-1 victory in Tirana this week against Dinamo. They have 26 points, as much as Flamurtari who lost 1-0 in Lushnje to Traktori who is moving away from the dangerous survival zone.

Besa also wins the derby of central Albania 2-0 against Lokomotiva in Kavaja, positioning itself in 12th place with 19 points.
Beselidhja achieves another goalless draw (0-0 in Berat) but remains at the end with 15 points, two less than Naftetari who has 17 and is now in 13th place, postion which leads to the second category.

May 15!
After the matches of the 24th week, the championship continues to have three separate leaders thanks to the goal difference. Vllaznia who won in Lezha (1-0) (+18); Partizani (+14) scores 4-0 to Labinoti after having let out all the nerves of the defeat a week earlier in Shkoder and the great chance to win the title; 17 Nentori (+14) after winning in Tirana against Tomorri 2-0.

Such a championship with three leaders, two weeks towards the end, extremely interesting and balanced, few can have in Europe, without exaggeration, perhaps that of Serie “A”, or the Premier League in England. This shows the level and quality of the Albanian championship.

Three points behind are Luftetari who defeated (2-0) Traktori in Gjirokaster and Flamurtari after a 3-0 win against Naftetari in Vlora, with 28 points!

Dinamo after a rise, again loses ground. This time they were defeated by Lokomotiva (3-1) in Durres. They have 4 matches without winning (3 losses and a draw);

In the last 4 places of survival, only Besa manages a draw (1-1) in Korce. Meanwhile, Beselidhja mathematically falls to the second category after this defeat. Naftetari, defeated again this week, with 17 points in 13th place, has the highest percentage to accompany it. Besa in 11th place and Traktori in 12th place have 20 points each, but they still do not feel safe.

May 22, 1983. Week 25!

In the "Vojo Kushi" Stadium as well as in Kavaja, the two decisive matches for the championship title are played. Whoever wins from the three leaders, Vllaznia, 17 Nentori or Partizani has the greatest chance of being the champion when there are 180 minutes of championship left. However, after a beautiful and emotional challenge in Shkoder, 17 Nentori and Vllaznia both draw 2-2, while in Kavaja Partizan has closed the first half 1-0!

With this score, they are champions, but in the second half, after Partizan has two clear chances to raise the score to 2-0, the drama happens in the last minutes. A free kick for Besa, expertly executed by Bayazit (who entered the game in the second half), ties the game at 1-1, meaning three teams are once again tied on 32 points each.

During the break of the match in Kavaje, former cabinet minister of the Albanian People's Party (PPSH), and first secretary for Durres, comrade Muho Asllani, after following the progress of this dramatic championship and especially its last weeks, makes a phone call to the Besa staff. At first he asks why Bajaziti is not playing, among other things the best scorer of Besa and the current championship.

Further, M. Asllani (photo below) continues by warning "if Besa does not immediately put Bajaziti into the game and will not commit to the maximum, to stop Partizan (which was leading 1-0), the team and individuals will have further consequences"!!!

 
That is enough for the managers and players of Besa, the team that was in danger of falling from the category, to address the second half with another performance!

For Partizan after the match with Vllaznia, this one against Besa it was “the second match ball” / second chance to win the title that was not used well seeing that the two pretenders 17 Nentori-Vllaznia are separated by one point this week.

Everything about the title remains open in the last week, but this time nothing will be in Partizan's hands even if they win the match against Dinamo.

Who will accompany Beselidhja in the second category? Naftetari wins 3-1 against Tomori, but remains in 13th place, 2 points behind Traktori who, after a 2-2 draw in Lushnje against Lokomotiva, remains in 12th place with 21 points, the same as Besa, but with a goal difference less negative than Kavaja (-6 in 11th place). Here is the final week of the most exciting, most dramatic and most balanced championship, with three leaders until its final 90 minutes.

The beautiful show “From One Match to Another” hosted by journalist Ahmet Shqarri, shares the final emotions and dramatic moments with sports fans.

Vllaznia travels to Berat and wins 2-0. Partizani also wins against Dinamo (2-1). Meanwhile, 17 Nentori falls 1-2 to Labinoti in Tirana. The Elbasan team had defeated Tirana in the first phase also with a clean 3-0.

Vllaznia and Partizan are tied on 34 points, but thanks to the goal difference Vllaznia (+20) is the Champion of Albania.

It must be said that not only thanks to the goal difference, but they have defeated Partizan twice in the direct matches between them in this championship (2-0 and 4-1)!

The title slipped from Partizan's hands, and Vllaznia won it with full merit.

At the bottom of the table, Naftetari does not go further than a 2-2 draw in Gjirokaster against Luftetari and with 20 points remains in 13th place even though Traktori, which has 21 points, loses in Korce 2-1.


Naftetari the "Stalin City / Kucova" Team

Naftetari, in the two supplementary Play-Off matches, against Minatori of Tepelena, would manage to survive in the first category. The Kucova Team (Stalin City) won the first match 4-1 on June 5th, so even though they lost the return match (1-2) in Tepelena on June 12th, they will be among the 14 best Albanian teams again next season.

Vllaznia won the title of Champion for the 6th time
in the official post-war championships.

In the 26 matches played, they won 12 times, achieved 10 draws and lost only 4 times, with a goal difference of 39-19 (+20).
In second place was Partizani, with 34 points, the same as the winners of Shkodra, but with a goal difference of 32-17 (+15).
17 Nentori took third place with 32 points and a goal difference of 40-27 (+13).

The Vllaznia Team, Champions had this composition:
Gjergji Kushe, Genc Boshnjaku, Isa Sukaj
Bepin Pali, Hysen Dedja, Hysen Zmijani, Sait Canga;
Fatbardh Jera; Ferid Rragami; Viktor Briza, Fatmir Pacrami, Ferid Borshi,
Luan Vukatana, Astrit Hafizi,
Azis Gruda, Selman Gruda, Ardian Bushati, Roland Luci, Faslli Fakja
Coach: Ramazan Rragami and Esat Rrakiqi.

In this championship, 366 goals were scored with an average of 2.0 per match.
The best scorer of this championship was Dashnor Bajaziti (Besa) with 16 goals.


Dashnor Bajaziti (Besa)

LINK FOR THE FIRST PARThttps://www.sportsvisionplus.com/part-one-championship-season-1982-1983-vllaznia-wins-the-title-with-a-photo-finish-thanks-to-the-goal-difference-against-partizan/

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New York: April - June 2025

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