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
____________________________
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

_______________________
Vision +Plus / Champions Hour in activity since 2013

Albanian Football Champions | Roland Luçi, the Vlora guy who played with the Shkodra jerseys!

 Shkodra has always exchanged friendship and respect with all other cities, especially those in the south. Even in sports there is no way it could not be different. Roland Luci is one of the few examples.

Born on February 24, 1960.

He has always been active with "Vllaznia". The 1981-1982 season was probably the most brilliant, where he stood out with the Shkodra jerseys in the championship and “Republic Cup”. He is, National Champion with "Vllaznia" in the 1982-1983 season.

 

A good connoisseur of the penalty area, from where he often scores. Also he has especially had the ability to win penalties in favor of his team in most cases.

There have been two cases where Luci has been permanently banned from football and in both cases an amnesty has come to his aid. Thus in 1983, at the age of 23, he won amnesty after a year and in 1986 after only 5 months.

Luci has also been a player of Albania National Team where he has been capped several times. He has played in 2 matches in the red-black Albanian jersey. He made his debut on November 17, 1981, in a heavy defeat of Albania against the Germans 8-0, in the World Cup qualifiers `82, and then for the European qualifiers against Austria in Austria (0-5) on September 22, 1982.

As a result of a serious knee injury in 1987, he was forced to hang up his boots after just one year, on June 5, 1988, leaving his career as a player.

In 2009, Luci will coach Vllaznia for a short time. Dismissed from this position that same year after reaching this balance of 4 Wins, 3 Draws and 5 Losses. After the 90s, he emigrated to Austria, where he continues to live.

© Copyright
Pjerin Bj
New York April 25, 2025

https://www.sportsvisionplus.com/albanian-football-champions-roland-luci-the-vlora-guy-who-played-with-the-shkodra-jerseys/
____________________________
Sports Vision + Plus / Champions Hour in activity since 2013

Dedicated to the Legends of Albanian Goalkeepers!

 Legends of goalkeeping!

In terms of comparisons, a skilled goalkeeper is like a ninja, swift and silent in their movements. A wall, impenetrable and unyielding in their defense.
A maestro, orchestrating their team's defensive efforts with precision and flair

They possess, lightning-quick reflexes, able to leap into action in a split second.
Exceptional agility, swiftly moving laterally and vertically to cover the gate. Excellent judgment, anticipating shots and crosses with ease.

Strong communication skills, directing their teammates and organizing the defense. Unwavering focus, maintaining concentration throughout the match. A fearless attitude, willing to put their body on the line to make incredible saves.

The list of names of Albanian goalkeepers who stood out during the
period 1950 - 1980 is very long, and yet with these photos below, we are
making a dedication to all of them, even those who are not in the photo.

Harold Schumacher and Perlat Musta!

The most prominent Albanian goalkeepers in the years when Albanian football had a wide interest among the public, when the rivalry between teams complete with quality players attracted thousands and thousands of passionate, ardent fans to the stadiums of the districts every Sunday, who, among many other things, were exalted by the spectacular performance of these goalkeepers.

A beautiful performance by the Albanian goalkeeper Muhedini in the next match against West Germany in 1971

Acrobatic saves, leaping and diving to stop seemingly unstoppable shots.
Pinpoint accurate distribution, launching counterattacks with precise throws and kicks. Commanding presence, instilling confidence in their teammates and intimidating opponents!

From the Italian Giacomino POSELLI to Dode TAHIRI, Klani MARJANI, Qemal VOGLI, Sul MALIQATI, Pavlin NDOJA, Koco DINELLA, MUHEDINI; M. JANKU, without forgetting other names that contributed to Albanian Football, especially those before the War (not in the photo), names like: R. GURASHI, Niko DOVANA; A. STERMASI.

 

Perlat Musta, in one of the most prominent duels of his career!

1989 - Avenir Dani of Vllaznia

During the 80s, other names also appeared, goalkeepers who were also capable, good fit to modern football, who took up the baton and passed it on.
Jani KACI; Perlat MUSTA; Bujar GUGUNJA; Ilir LUARASI; Artur LEKBELLO; Halim MERSINI; Ahmet CUMAKU; Bujar SHARRA, to other equally prominent names such as Gezim Hasku of Beslidhja, Haki ARKAXHIU of Besa, STEFA of Apolonia and Fier, Nesti ARAPI of Flamurtari from Vlorë and undoubtedly continuing with others such as: Gjergj KUSHE from Korca who played for Vllaznia, Genc BOSHNJAKU and Isa SUKAJ from Shkodra; AJAZI of Lokomotiva, GURAJ of Naftetari, SEVO of Traktori.....

Goalkeeper Jani Kaci's aerial battle in the match against the West Germans in 1981

 

1989 - Albanian Mersini and Gary Lineker in the match Albania - England played in Tirana

Spectacular save by goalkeeper Artur Lekbello, hero of the Barcelona- Flamurtari match , played in "Camp Nou"

© Copyright
By Pjerin Bj
New York: April 16, 2025

https://www.sportsvisionplus.com/dedicated-to-the-legends-of-albanian-goalkeeping/#google_vignette

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

Champion for a decade | Klodeta Gjini, the Albanian "Kostandinova"!

 Prologue!

We are not exaggerating if we say that Albania has also had its own "Kostadinova", without comparing her to the great Stefka, but for small country like Albania, Klodeta Gjini has been such.

"Merited Master of Sports"
Birthdate: Tirana on August 20, 1964.
Discipline: “High Jump”

Klodeta is the champion of Albania for
10 consecutive years from 1980 - 1990.
Teams:
1978-1992 “17 Nentori” - Tirana;
1992-1993 Assi Banca Toscana Firenze.
1980 - 1991 Representative of the Albanian national team.

*     *     *

Klodeta first came into contact with sports and athletics in 1973 with sports classes at the "20th Anniversary of Liberation" school and soon realized that the high jump was her future in athletics: in that regard, during her sports career for ten years in a row she was national champion (from 1980 to 1990).

She also made progress in national records, on August 21, 1989, in Tirana, she passed the bar placed at m. 1.92, an achievement that up to today is the Albanian national record

She is the only albanian girl to have represented the national colors at the first World Athletics Championships in 1983, held in Helsinki, Finland, from August 7 to 14. During her sports militancy she also achieved good results in pentathlon and heptathlon. Member of the Albanian athletics team, from 1980 to 1991 she participated in international activities climbing the podium repeatedly,

From 1973 to 1992 she was a member of the sports club "17 Nëntori", the representative team of the city of Tirana, and after her transfer to Italy in the 1992-93 season was a member of Assi Banca Toscana team

Graduated from the University of Tirana, Faculty of Economics, in 1986, General Mercologist. In 1992, graduated from the Higher Institute of Physical Culture "Vojo Kushi" in the Teaching branch.

At the University of Bologna in 2006, Gjini graduated in movement sciences (first level) and in 2008, completed her master's degree (second level diploma) in the prevention and treatment of diseases through adapted gymnastics.

Klodeta is a physical education teacher for middle and high schools in Bologna, Italy. She continues to contribute to the sports sector through her collaboration with CUSB, the sports society of the University of Bologna.

Above is a chronicle dedicated to the Albanian champion:

Pjerin Bj
New York: April 10, 2025
___________________
Sports Vision + Plus / Champions Hour in activity since 2013