1978-1979 | Partizan wins the title in the last week of an extremely difficult championship!

Prologue!

The end of the 70s.
What did this decade bring to Albanian football?

A decade where Albanian football reached a growing level, and it was the last years of this decade that prepared the arrival of a golden decade, even higher level, that of the 80s, of balanced championships and a generation of excellent players, albeit semi-professionals, those who would give significant marks to Albanian football and significantly influence the rise of national championships and Republic Cups.

During the 1970s, quality players and teams competed for the championship title. Until this decade, the championship title was a matter of discussion only between Partizan and Dinamo, with the exception of “17 Nentori” in the late 1960s, which became the first team to break this hegemony.

In the decade of the 70s, the number of contenders for the championship title expanded with Vllaznia, 17 Nentori, Besa, Luftetari and Flamurtari. And yet all these teams, including Partizan and Dinamo, faced difficulties and even suffered defeats in the fields of what were considered “small” teams such as Shkendija, Traktori, Naftetari, Beselidhja, etc. This shows that the level of Albanian championships was increasing from decade to decade.

They who stand out of this decade were Dinamo, with the attacking trio Zeri-Ballgjini-Pernaska, winning the title 5 times, Vllaznia winning three times and Partizani 2 times.

Leaving a mark on memory and writing their names in the history of the Albanian national championships, footballers such as Panajot Pano who, although in the phase of ending his career, dominated the scene especially in the first season of the `70s, 1970-1971 when he won the championship title with his Partizan and was the best scorer of the championship with 17 goals.

Ilir Pernaska, six times winner of the “Golden Boot”, as the best scorer of the championships: 1971-72/ 1972-73/ 1973-74/ 1974-75/ 1975-76 / 1976-77.

The deceased, Agim Murati (Partizani), master of headers, twice the best scorer of the seasons 1977-1978 and 1978-1979, respectively with 12 and 14 goals.

Others that we can proudly mention are the names starting with the veterans, Sabah Bizi (Vllaznia), Medin Zhega (Vllaznia), Ramazan Rragami (Vllaznia), Dhales (17 Nentori) continuing with Lutfi Basha (Vllaznia) Luan Vukatana (Vllaznia), Suad Duraj (Vllaznia), Seit Canga (Vllaznia), Vasillaq Zeri (Shkendija-Dinamo), Spiro Curi (Flamurtari), Sefedin Braho (Luftetari-Partizani), Shyqyri Ballgjini (Dinamo), F. Rragami (Shkendija-Partizani) Gjergj Kalluci (Luftetari), Muhamet Dibra (17 Nentori), Dashnor Bajaziti (Besa), Andrea Marko (Dinamo), Ciraku (Dinamo), Ibershimi (Dinamo), Safet Berisha (Partizani), Ziu, (Partizani), Janku (Partizani), Starova (Partizani), Milan Baci (17 Nentori), Zengla (17 Nentori), Naci (17 Nentori), Gezdari (17 Nentori), Pagria, Shtini, Mullaliu, Allai, Kariqi and Qerolli (Besa), M. Gjika, Jorgaci, Dacka, Lleshi (Labinoti), Xhambazi, Kercici, Ballsho (Skenderbeu), Zijai, Haxhiu, Xhafa, Licaj (Flamurtari), Gurma (Luftetari), Gjeci, Gogoni, Gezdari (Traktori), Leshteni, Ikonomi, Hima, Bulku, H. Ballgjini (Lokomotiva), Skuro, Sulejmani (Naftetari), Hodo, Qolja, Kokalari, Kovaci (Tomori), Lorenci and Femi Rama (Beselidhja), or goalkeepers like Dinella, Kaci, Musta, Luarasi…

1.
Albanian clubs in the European Cups will be represented only by the reigning champion Vllaznia, which in Shkoder will achieve a historic victory over the strong team of the time in Europe, Austria Vienna, defeating it 2-0, for the Champions Cup, although in the return match it did not show its true values.

https://www.sportsvisionplus.com/retrospective-of-1978-vllaznia-vs-austria-wien-for-the-european-champions-cup/

In the Cup Winners’ Cup and in the UEFA Cup, Albania was to be represented by Dinamo as the winner of the Republic Cup (against Traktor 0-0 / 1-0) and by Luftetari as the runner-up of a previous season (1977-1978).

But Albania did not participate, it had taken a drastic decision, where from 1972-73 to 1977-78 it had withdrawn its representative teams and its clubs from the European Cups.

Is this true as far as it concerns the clubs?
Withdrawal by the Albanian Federation itself, or individual punishment by UEFA for the club that refused to play against teams from the former Soviet Union? Or was it both?

If it is the first, the calculation does not come out exactly the same in the 1978-1979 season when the decision to withdraw is lifted, because precisely in this season in the European Cups, the champion of Albania participates and the winner of the Republic Cup does not…

It is clearly known as a fact that Vllaznia, the champion of the 1971-1972 season, was punished for three years by the BFSSH as a club of all sports, for the consequences of the Volleyball team in Kosovo …. Above we quoted the decision of the BFSSH, for the withdrawal of the teams from every international meeting from 1972-73 to 1977-1978, then, why in 1978 Vllaznia participated in the Champions Cup (season 1978-1979) and Dinamo, which was supposed to play in the Cup Winners’ Cup, did not?

Was Dinamo, winner of the Republic Cup (against Traktor 0-0/1-0) still under the effect of a penalty from UEFA, or BFSSH?

The official UEFA website does not say anything, except that Albania did not participate in the Cup Winners’ Cup and the UEFA Cup. That’s it!!!

Even today, this case remains unclear. There is an anomaly in the entire activity of Albanian clubs in the European Cups.

https://www.sportsvisionplus.com/unprecedented-cases-in-communist-albania-of-clubs-in-european-cups/

Even the journalist Mr. Besnik Dizdari, who is considered the best in this field, does not clarify it anywhere, perhaps due to his lack of knowledge about this case (as in the case of the world champion weightlifter, Y. Pampuri, when he confuses him with the Olympic champion), on the contrary, he uses it with a tendency towards the Partizan and Dinamo clubs, while saying: “in many cases only 17 Nentori and Vllaznia are the most condemned teams”!!!

In fact, Partizan was just only lucky that it did not fall “victim” of drastic penalties at that time, and the european draw did not place the team against the “enemy states that Albania considered” and this was not at all due for any support from the system in power… even if we go by that logic, then what can be called the case of Partizan in the 1987-1988 season? Coronation?

It is unfortunate that such figures use everything maliciously, (specially after 90-ties) including football in this case, considering some teams as representatives of a system, and opposing precisely that system that a good part of them, led by Mr. Dizdari, were educated, trained and became journalists, and yet still remain without properly fulfilling their sacred mission and duty in this field.

* * *
The year 1978 will mark a success for Albanian football when the National Team of “Shpresa” (U21) defeating in the final Romania 7-1 in Tirana, on December 16th wins the title of Balkan Champions.

This was the second title in terms of importance that Albania won in the representative ranks after the one in 1946 of the legendary captain Loro Borici of the adult National Team.

The names of the Under 21 Champions of 1978 will be: Perlat Musta, Ferid Ragami, Sulejman Starova, Agustin Kola, Halit Gega, Andrea Marko, Haxhi Ballgjini, Ferdinand Lleshi, Ardian Popa, Arben Minga, Dashnor Bajaziti, Shyqyri Ballgjini, Haxhi Ballgjini led by coaches R. Rragami and Sh. Rreli.

2.
In this championship, which took place in the 36th year after the Second World War, 14 teams participated, which we are listing according to the ranking of the previous season:

Vllaznia, the reigning champions, Luftetari, Partizani, Dinamo, Flamurtari, 17 Nentori, Tomori, Shkendija, Traktori, Lokomotiva and three other new forces coming from the second category, Besa, Naftetari, Beselidhja.
Among the first-division teams, it is not yet Skenderbeu who is forced to rest in the second division.

Only after the 5th week does the standings begin to clear up. Dinamo draws 2-2 against 17 Nentori and Partizani takes the top spot after a 3-0 victory against Traktor.

Two weeks later, in the 7th week, all the contenders lose. Thus, the unexpected loss in Tirana of Partizani against Besa, 0-2, of Vllaznia (1-2) in Shkoder against Labinoti and of 17 Nentori in Berat, against Tomorri (1-2).
After this week, Labinoti is at the top of the standings with 11 points and right behind it are three teams with 9 points each, Partizani, 17 Nentori and Besa.

Labinoti wants to prove that this advantage in the classification has not been created in vain.

When 17 Nentori draws 2-2 against Partizan, Vllaznia suffers another defeat again in Shkoder by Dinamo (0-2), Labinoti holds the top of the standings with 15 points. Behind it are Besa, Dinamo, Partizan and 17 Nentori with 13 points.

However, in the 10th week, Labinoti suffered its first defeat after a very good start so far, being defeated by Naftetari in Kucove (1-2).

Meanwhile, Partizani achieved another draw in the derby, 2-2, this time against Dinamo. Besa, who came from the second category, went to Lezha and won 2-1 against the local Beselidhja, and with 15 points, tied Labinoti at the top of the standings, and even tried to take the steering wheel from them.

And so, it will happen when in their direct match, Besa wins in Elbasan 3-2 against Labinoti, increasing the speed and breaking away already alone there at the top of the table. Until here Besa also seeks to prove that the victory in Tirana against Partizan was not accidental, but a convincing return to the first category of a strong team as it was in the early 70s.

The championship gains interesting colors, and this is the merit of Besa that does not stop but also wins against Flamurtari 3-1 in Kavaje, while Labinoti loses ground by slipping to 5th place, after the third consecutive defeat, this time against Beselidhja.

Besa still leads now with 19 points. Behind it are Dinamo and 17 Nentori with 17 points. In 4th place is Partizani with 16 points, three points away from first place.

Besa becomes the champion of Winter.

In the second phase, Besa, although tied with “17 Nentori” in Kavaja, remains at the top because Dinamo also tied against Naftetari 0-0, and Partizani also tied against Lokomotiva (0-0) with the same result.

In the 15th week. The leader Besa loses against Dinamo
0-2. Partizan now returns with a victory from Shkodra (2-1) against Vllaznia which, although it has won the Republic Cup, is dizzy, still living in the arms of this enthusiasm and thus positioning itself in the middle of the standings, when it should have and has the opportunity to do much better since it is the reigning champion.

Week 16 is also a week of upsets for Dinamo, who lost 0-1 in Elbasan against Labinoti, and also for the other leader, Besa, who lost 1-3 in Gjirokaster to the local Luftetari.

17 Nentori did not lose but did not go further than a 1-1 draw in Vlora against Flamurtari, while Partizan, with the victory against Beselidhja in Tirana 2-1, became the leader of the championship with 21 points, or more precisely, it`s “forced” to coexist with its rival 17 Nentori, who also has 21 points, but with a more negative goal difference than the reds.

What is really happening with the defending Champion, Vllaznia?
The team suffers its 7th defeat in Shkoder, this time against Traktori, 1-2. Vllaznia’s losses follow one after another, in week 18 against Naftetari (0-1), in Shkoder, and also 0-1 from Besa in Kavaja, in week 19, taking the course towards the places in the zone that leads to the second category.

Meanwhile, the “hostile alliance” continues between Partizan and 17 Nentori, who share first place, leading together, side by side with 26 points. Both are followed by Dinamo, still very close with 25 points, and Besa a little behind with 24 points.

When the 20th week arrives, Partizan travels to Kavaja prepared and remembering the defeat against Besa in Tirana in the first phase. This should not be repeated… and here in a packed stadium, in the most important match of the week and perhaps the entire championship, Partizan wins 3-1, in front of an excited Kavaja audience, thus taking two very valuable points and giving revenge to Besa who had defeated them 0-2 in Tirana.

However, 17 Nentori does not confuse the steps and wins 1-0 against Tomori. Everything remains as before, both leading with 28 points.

In the 23rd week, there is the direct match
Partizani-17 Nentori, where Tirana was leading before this challenge.
Partizan does not make a mistake and although with a minimum score of 1-0, wins, tying 17 Nentori again with 30 points each.

Finally, Vllaznia reacts! Victory over Dinamo 2-1, taking away from them any hope or claim for the championship title.

In the 24th week, it is the turn of Partizan who defeats Dinamo 2-0, adding two more valuable points to the top of the standings. With this victory, Partizan achieves an unprecedented consistency in the history of Albanian championships, because in the meetings between them, each has 19 wins, 23 draws and 19 losses, and even the goal difference is equally equal 72-72!!! One of the details for the record!

17 Nentori wins 2-0 against Shkendija, joining Partizan again at the top with 32 points. Behind them, Besa has 30 points and Dinamo 28 points.

Luftetari defeats Vllaznia, which seemed to have “changed its behavior”, the situation of which now becomes problematic, because it, along with Shkendija and Luftetari, have 19 points each, Beselidhja 18 and Traktori 15 points, in the last place of survival.

The Football Federation has already set a rule which states: If Partizan and
17 Nentori finish the championship with equal points, the team with the better goal difference will be declared champion and in this case it is Partizan that has this advantage. So, there will be no final.

We have reached the penultimate week of this interesting championship, week 25.

In Tirana, Partizani lost the first half to Luftetari 0-1! However, in the second half, the “music” changes. The Reds draw, 1-1, and jump ahead to win the match, because… also in Lushnje 17 Nentori is losing 1-2 against the local Traktori who is fighting for survival in the first category.

Unspeakable emotions are experienced between these two matches where the biggest part of the championship title and the fate of survival in the category of the best are played.

There are still 4 minutes left until the end, in Tirana Partizani-Luftetari 1-1 and in Lushnje Traktori-17 Nentori 2-1!

So far Partizani is the champion… but here, precisely in the 86th minute
17 Nentori manages to equalize 2-2 with great difficulty. Again, a draw on points between the leaders Partizani and 17 Nentori.

But the match in Tirana is not over yet. Partizan has thrown itself forward and seeks at all costs to take advantage of the draw of their rivals, to score the winning goal. And thanks to their persistence and fighting spirit, they score in the 90th minute, the victory 2-1!

Thus, Partizan now leads alone with 34 points, leaving one point behind 17 Nentori, which seems to be precisely this difficult draw in Lushnje against Traktori that has diminished their hopes for the title when there are only 90 minutes left towards the end of this championship.

Drama and emotions for the brave with a strong hearts was the match in Shkoder between Vllaznia and Tomori from Berat, where the latter are leading the match 1-2 after 70 minutes of play, putting the local team Vllaznia in an extremely difficult position to stay in the first category.

But in the 20 minutes of play remaining until the end, minutes they are also the most pleasant and the most liberating of a nightmare for Vllaznia which scores twice winning the match by reversing the result from 1-2 to 3-2!

With this victory Vllaznia finally escapes relegation to the second category. It would be something that would constitute a fact that had never happened before, that the reigning champion team would fall to the second category!

An unpleasant and accidental experience for Vllaznia, a team with authority and that has set the tone for Albanian football.

We arrive at the final week.
Who will win the championship title this year?
Partizani is closer than 17 Nentori, a draw is enough for them to win it.

The Reds, led by coach Birce, travel to Berat against Tomorri, who had scared Vllaznia for 70 minutes a week earlier in Shkoder.
In Tirana, 17 Nentori awaits Naftetari. The last week’s matches all start at the same time.

And here in Berat, Partizan leads 2-0, after goals from Murati and Hado, both have left their signatures often in the matches this season. 17 Nentori is also winning against Naftetari, but this has no value as long as Partizan is winning.

In Berat, Kovaci scores for the home team, reducing the goal difference to 1-2. In the second half, Partizan will ensure everything and not leave it to fate, scoring the third goal by Janku. 3-1!

However, Tomori scores again through Bakalli and tries to do the same thing as against Vllaznia, to scare the Birce`s boys and risk their victory, but they have probably forgotten that even with a draw, Partizan is the champion.

However, the Reds of Partizan have won fully deservedly their 12th title, the title of an extremely difficult but equally a beautiful championship, where the protagonists, in addition to Dinamo 17 Nentori, was Besa of Kavaja, which came from the second category and ended this season in third place.

17 Nentori, despite winning 5-2 against Naftetari, remained second. Flamurtari reached fourth place after winning this week against Besa 1-0.
Dinamo, took 5th place after a 1-1 draw against Traktori, which together with Beselidhja fell to the second category. It should be noted that Beselidhja was the only team that did not know any draws this season.

FK Partizan
Champion of 1978-1979 Football Season:
Perlat Musta, Artur Lekbello,
Safet Berisha, Kastriot Hysi, Arian Hametaj, Sulejman Starova,
Valter Mece, Sokol Prifti, Muharrem Karriqi,
Alqi Gjini, Feim Breca, Ferid Rragami, Agim Janku,
Aleko Londo, Ilir Lame, Ilir Bushati, Hasan Lika,
Agim Murati, Bujar Hado, Musa Fagu
Coach: Bejkush Birce