1970–1971 | “Partizani”, is the winner of the 25th National Albanian Championship!
It is the Partizan of Pano and Bizi, of R.Rragami, led by the legendary Loro Borici as coach, perhaps one of the most prominent formations of this red army team in years.
Prologue: A Season of Pure Football Heritage
The 1970–71 sports calendar stands as one of the most compelling eras in Albanian football history, defined entirely by technical artistry, unexpected team rebuilding, and fierce, unadulterated sporting rivalries. Free from external non-sporting clutter, this 25th National Championship was a pure tactical chessboard. Fourteen clubs entered the arena based on the previous season’s merit, led by the defending champions, “17 Nëntori”, and featuring newly promoted side Besëlidhja and the returning Tomorri.
It was a campaign where established giants had to reinvent themselves, while underdogs tested the limits of the elite. Every Sunday offered a masterclass in local grit, culminating in a historic trophy drought finally being broken on the final day.
Before we step to the development of this championship, we should highlights the games of the Albanian National Team – Kombetarja!
“Kombetarja – Kuq e Zi” The National Team
Albania opens the qualifying campaign with a defeat in Poland (3-0) on October 14, 1970 in Chorzow. Another defeat (1-2) in the second match in Istanbul on December 13, 1970. The goal for the Albanians is scored by Ziu in the 22nd minute. The third match of the “Kombetarja” is in Tirana on February 17, 1971 against West Germany.
On a leaden February day in 1971
On the international stage, the Albanian National Team—affectionately known as the “Red and Blacks” Kombetarja kuq e zi —was deep in the qualification trenches for the 1972 European Championship. The pinnacle of this campaign took place under a heavy, lead-colored sky at the “Qemal Stafa” National Stadium in Tirana, where Albania hosted a powerhouse West Germany squad.
The Germans arrived in Albania with intense focus and immense respect for their opponents, still haunted by their tragic 1967 elimination in Tirana following a famous 0–0 draw. This time, manager Helmut Schön took no chances. He prepared his squad as if it were a World Cup final, deploying a legendary line-up featuring Sepp Maier, Berti Vogts, Karl-Heinz Schnellinger, Franz Beckenbauer, Günter Netzer, Wolfgang Overath, Jürgen Grabowski, and the lethal “Der Bomber,” Gerd Müller.
Helmuth Schoen had prepared a team as if it were going to win a world title final. There is no room for understatement.
The match is played completely according to the 1967 “score”, which features the Albanian attack and the organized defense of the Germans. In the last minutes of the first half, Mueller, taking advantage of a carelessness of the Albanian defense, manages to score the only goal of the challenge, winning
it 1-0.
It must be said that in contrast to this narrow victory, the Albanian team played even better, so much so that at the end of the match the German coach Schoen, relieved of the pressure, would himself be able to affirm “We won a match that we actually did not deserve..”
The same would be affirmed by captain Beckenbauer who, without exaggeration, was blocked during this match by the Albanian Bizi, causing him a lot of difficulty.
Besides Bizi, S. Berisha, Kasmi, Rragami, and Pano stood out in the ranks of the Albanian team. It is worth noting that with this victory, the German team qualified for the Euro `72 finals and would even win the championship title by defeating B.S. 3-0 in the final!!!
On May 12, 1971, the National Team achieved a deserved draw against Poland (1-1) in Tirana. Zhega in the 31st minute equalized Bana’s goal scored in the 6th minute.
On June 12, 1971, the “Kombetarja” went to the Karlsruhe stadium to play the return match against West Germany, which, despite a convincing performance, they lost 2-0.
The 3-0 victory of the Albanian team during this campaign against Turkey, held on November 22 of that same year, cannot be forgotten. The scorers in this victory were Pernaska with a brace in the 22nd and 55th minutes and of course the “king” Pano in the 60th minute.
Throughout this campaign, the Albanian “National” team activated these players.: Goalkeepers: Dinella, Rama, Muhedini, Ahmedani – Frasheri, Berisha, Sejdini, Ibershimi, Ducka, Gjika, Kasmi, Cani, Dhales, Shllaku, Ceco, Vaso, Shehu, Balluku, R. Rragami, Bizi, Pano, Zhega, Ziu, Hyka, Xhafa, Leshteni, Pernaska.
European Club Competition: The 1970–71 Continental Footprint
For the 1970–71 European football calendar, Albania sent two of its most prestigious clubs onto the continental stage, representing the nation in the two primary European tournaments:
European Cup (Champions Cup): Represented by 17 Nëntori
European Cup Winners’ Cup: Represented by Partizani
17 Nëntori in the European Cup. The Historic Clash
The reigning champions 17 Nëntori were drawn against Dutch masterminds Ajax Amsterdam, while Partizani faced Swedish team Åtvidabergs FF.
On September 16, 1970, 17 Nëntori etched their name into European football folklore by holding the legendary Ajax Amsterdam to a stunning 2–2 draw in Tirana.
The Miracle of Tirana: Playing under the roaring atmosphere of the “Qemal Stafa” Stadium, the Albanian champions refused to be intimidated by Johan Cruyff and the elite Dutch pioneers of “Total Football.”
The Return Leg: Two weeks later on September 30, the battle shifted to the Olympisch Stadion in Amsterdam, where Ajax used their home-field advantage to secure a clinical 2–0 victory.
A Valiant Exit: While Ajax advanced 4–2 on aggregate and eventually went on to lift the European Cup that season, 17 Nëntori exited the tournament with their heads held high, having pushed one of the greatest club teams in history to its absolute limits.
Partizani (European Cup Winners’ Cup)
Partizani fought through a brilliant multi-round campaign, playing four full matches on the continent.
The Preliminary Round
First Leg (Away)
Date: August 23, 1970
Match: Åtvidabergs FF 1–1 Partizani
Venue: Kopparvallen, Åtvidaberg
Second Leg (Home)
Date: September 2, 1970
Match: Partizani 2–0 Åtvidabergs FF
Venue: Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana
Aggregate Result: Partizani advanced 3–1 on aggregate.
The First Round
First Leg (Away)
Date: September 16, 1970
Match: Wacker Innsbruck 3–2 Partizani
Venue: Tivoli-Stadion, Innsbruck [1, 2]
Second Leg (Home)
Date: September 30, 1970
Match: Partizani 1–2 Wacker Innsbruck
Venue: Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana
Aggregate Result: Wacker Innsbruck advanced 5–3 on aggregate.
Partizani delivered an unforgettable, multi-round European campaign during the 1970–71 European Cup Winners’ Cup , proving their tactical resilience on the continental stage.
The Qualification Masterclass
The Breakthrough in Scandinavia: On August 23, 1970, Partizani traveled to Sweden and earned a brilliant 1–1 away draw against Åtvidabergs FF at Kopparvallen .
Sunday August 23, 1970
Atvidaberg FF-Partizani 1-1 (0-1)
Scorers: Bizi 2′ / L.Franzen 61′)
Atvidaberg: U. Blomberg, C. Gustaffsson, J. Olsson, K. Karksson, Johansson. A. Ljunberg, B. Augustsson, L. G. Andersson,C. Torteston L. Franzen, O. Eklund. Zev, L. Schenell. Coach: B. Gustavsson.
Partizani: B. Muhedini, Mikel Janku, A. Ziu, L. Shllaku, R. Rragami, B. Cani, S. Bizi, V. Balluku, Sotir Seferaj, Panajot Pano. (Zëvendësimet: Gj. Thaka, Tomorr Shehu). Coach: L. Boriçi.
Spectators: 2146
Referee: Robert Schaut (Belgjikë).
Two weeks later on September 2, they turned the “Qemal Stafa” Stadium into a fortress , securing a dominant 2–0 home victory to advance 3–1 on aggregate. The first Albanian Club to get through even it was a preliminary round.
R. Rragami – Partizani
Sunday, September 2, 1970 (Time: 14.00)
National Stadium “Qemal Stafa”.
Partizani-Atvidaberg 2-0 (2-0)
Scorers: Pano 15, Ragami 44′
Partizani: Muhedini, Seferi, Berisha, Ziu, Cani, Shllaku Balluku (Thaka), Ragami, Bizi, Pano, Janku.
Atvidaberg: Blomberg, Olson, Anderson, Augusttsson (Frantzen), Ljunberg, Karlson, Gustafson, Anderson G., Valinder, Eklund, Sandberg (Johanson).
Referee: Babadzan (Turqi).
Spectators: 20 000.
A Ferocious First-Round Battle
The Five-Goal Thriller: On September 16, 1970, Partizani went toe-to-toe with Austrian giants Wacker Innsbruck at the Tivoli-Stadion . In a dramatic, high-scoring affair, the Albanian side narrowly dropped a 3–2 away thriller.
Innsbruck, Wednesday September 16, 1970
“Tivolistadion” Stadium, Time 19:30.
Admira Vacker-Partizani 3-2 (1-2).
Scorers: Pano 22′, Janku 24′ / H. Ettmayer ’40 pen, Obert 52′, Franceskin ’83
Vacker: Rattenstelner, Eschimuller, Binder, Ëarner, Voggenberger, Elgenstiller, Obert, Ettmayer, Francescin, Grausam, Jara (Tschenett, Laderer, Sommer, Paer, Senegovic).
Partizani: Muhedini, Seferi, Berisha, Ziu, Cani, Shllaku, Balluku,Ragami, Bizi, Pano,Janku (Ismaili, Thaka, Çobaj, M. Shehu).
Referee : Guguloviç (Jug)
The Dramatic Finale: On September 30, 1970, the battle concluded in Tirana . Partizani fought valiantly in front of their home crowd at the “Qemal Stafa” Stadium but were edged out 2–1 by the clinical Austrians . Wacker Innsbruck advanced 5–3 on aggregate but Partizani exited the tournament with massive sporting pride after four legendary encounters
Wednesday September 30, 1970 (Time 15:00)
National Stadium “Qemal Stafa”
Partizani-Vacker 1-2 (1-1).
Partizani: Muhedini, Seferi, Berisha Ziu, Shllaku, Cani, Balluku Rragami, Bizi, Pano, Janku (Thaka).
Vacker: Retenshtajner, Eshlmiler, Verner, Ajgenshtiler, Krist, Senegovic, Franceskin, Obert, Grauzan, Etmajer, Jara.
Referee: Sheurer, Longareti, Shaerer, (Zvicër).
Now we get back to the National Championship of the season 1970-1971
The Season Begin
The 14 Participating Clubs:
1. 17 Nëntori (Defending Champions)
2. Partizani
3. Dinamo
4. Vllaznia
5. Besa
6. Traktori
7. Labinoti
8. Skënderbeu
9. Flamurtari
10. Lokomotiva
11. Luftëtari
12. Apolonia
13. Besëlidhja (Promoted from the Second Division)
14. Tomorri (Promoted from the Second Division)
The 1970–71 Domestic Campaign: A Classic Capital Duel
The domestic league season quickly turned into a thrilling narrative of faltering champions, a rising dark horse, and a direct, high-stakes duel between Partizani and Dinamo.
The Fall of the Champions & The Korça Surge
The season opened with an absolute shock. The defending champions,
“17 Nëntori”, suffered a narrow 0–1 home defeat to Skënderbeu in Week 2. While fans initially dismissed it as a fluke, the champions’ engine completely stalled. Consecutive 0–1 defeats to Dinamo and Flamurtari, followed by a heavy 0–2 loss to Labinoti in Tirana, made it clear that the champions were worn out and required a total structural rebuild. They finally broke their four-match losing streak with a 1–1 draw against Lokomotiva. Meanwhile, Skënderbeu capitalized on this power vacuum, playing beautiful football to sit proudly at the top of the table alongside the traditional title contenders.
The Autumn Championship
As the frontrunners began trading blows, a legendary rivalry took center stage. Following a fierce 1–1 draw in the capital derby between Partizani and Dinamo, both clubs tried to break away from the pack.
Winter Break Standings (Top 4):
1. Dinamo – 21 pts (Winter Champions)
2. Partizani – 20 pts
3. Vllaznia – 17 pts
4. Skënderbeu – 17 pts
Partizani – 17 Nentori 1-0 F. Frasheri-P. Pano
Dinamo showed just a fraction more consistency, finishing the first half of the season as Winter Champions with 21 points, closely stalked by Partizani on 20 points, with Vllaznia and Skënderbeu sitting joint-third on 17.
The Spring See-Saw
The title race exploded in Week 16 when Dinamo defeated Partizani 2–1 in a tense tactical battle, opening up a crucial three-point cushion. Partizani’s troubles deepened a week later when they fell 0–1 away to Vllaznia in Shkodra—a venue where Vllaznia preserved their own medal hopes by also defeating
“17 Nëntori” 1–0.
Yet, Dinamo stumbled, failing to get past a stubborn Labinoti side in Tirana in a 1–1 draw. Partizani immediately punished the slip, returning from Korça with a vital 2–1 win over Skënderbeu to cut the gap back to two points.
The Week 22 Turning Point
The definitive twist of the championship arrived in Week 22. Dinamo entered their match boasting an incredible 980-minute unbeaten streak, only to see it shattered in Kavaja by an inspired Besa side in a shocking 1–2 defeat. Partizani seized the moment perfectly, grinding out a 2–1 home victory over Apolonia. In the blink of an eye, the two capital titans were deadlocked at the top with 34 points each, while Vllaznia strained every muscle to keep pace on 28 points.
Week 22 Title Lock:
Partizani – 34 pts
Dinamo – 34 pts
Vllaznia – 28 pts
The pressure began to heavily weigh on Dinamo. They dropped a catastrophic point at home in a 0–0 stalemate against relegation-threatened Besëlidhja. Partizani took full advantage, traveling to Vlora and silencing the home crowd with a brilliant 2–1 win over Flamurtari to claim a one-point lead.
Dinamo’s mental fortitude crumbled entirely the following week during a dark afternoon in Tirana, suffering a shock 1–2 loss to Luftëtari. Partizani did not blink; they traveled to Elbasan and secured a clinical 1–0 win over Labinoti, opening up an insurmountable three-point lead.
The Final Day Coronation
Even with a minor 1–2 slip-up away against Lokomotiva in Durrës on the final day, Partizani’s title was never truly in danger. Dinamo’s 1–0 victory over Skënderbeu in Korça was a mere consolation prize.
Under the mastermind management of the great Loro Boriçi, Partizani were officially crowned Champions of Albania! Led by a golden generation featuring Berisha, Ziu, Bizi, M. Shehu, Thaka, Pano, Janku, and Kalluçi, the Red Bulls brought the championship trophy back to their fans for the first time in five years, stretching back to 1964.
PARTIZANI – KAMPION 1970-1971
Bashkim Muhadini; Safet Berisha, Astrit Ziu, Lin Shllaku, Panajot Pano, Sabah Bizi, Agim Janku, Suvorov Seferi, Pellumb Shaqiri, Gjergji Thaka, Bujar Cani, Dhori Kalluci, Sokol Gjeci, Uran Xhafa, Kujtim Dalipi, Sefedin Braho, Vladimir Balluku, Shandro, Fatbardh Keno, Mithat Shehu, Sotir Seferaj, Neptun Bajko. Coach: Loro: Borici.
The legend of Albanian Player and coach , Loro Borici
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The Cup Competitions: Splitting the Silverware
The cup tournaments mirrored the intensity of the league, providing two spectacular standalone spectacles to cap off the football year.
The Republic Cup (Kupa e Republikës)
The final of the prestigious Republic Cup brought together Dinamo and Besa, creating an electric atmosphere as both clubs sought to end long tournament droughts. Dinamo was making its first appearance in the final since 1960, while Besa had not reached the final stage since 1963. In a display of tactical discipline and clinical finishing, Dinamo outplayed the Kavaja side, lifting the trophy with a comfortable 2–0 victory.
Partizani – The winner of Kupa e Rrepuiblikes – 1973 defeating Dinamo 1-0
The Federation Cup (Kupa e Federatës)
To completely round out the domestic season, rivals Partizani and Dinamo faced off once more in the high-stakes Federation Cup Final. Played at an incredibly high tempo with ferocious, clean athletic battles in every corner of the pitch, newly crowned league champions Partizani proved too powerful. They defeated Dinamo 3–1, adding another glittering piece of silverware to their historic 1970–71 double campaign.
One of the Partizan formations in the 70s in China! (From left to right) Lad Balluku, Luke Shaqiri, Kujtim Dalipi,Agim Murati , Panajot Pano, (Down) Millan Vaso, Bujar Cani, (?) Fatmir Ismaili (Goalkeeper),Astrit Ziu, Safet Berisha. Up Left coach: Kolec Kraja, (Up Right) Mikel Janku
© B. Pjerin
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