The cursed 1966-1967 championship season and rumored derby “Partizan” – “17 Nentori”!

Second Part

1.
THE THRESHOLD OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP
On the threshold of this season, we should not forget to mention the adventures of the Albanian teams in the European Cups as well as the qualifying matches of the European Championship `68 of the Albanian team “Kombetarja”, which took place during 1967, where in December of this year, the 0-0 result against West Germany definitely stood out after a match where the game and fighting spirit of the Albanians stood out, eliminating from the European Championship the football giants, the world champions of 1954 (until then) as well as the runners-up of the 1966 edition.

NATIONAL TEAM – KOMBETARJA 1967
Albania`s opener pitted them against West Germany at the boxy Stadion “Rote Erde” in Dortmund on April 8, 1967. A match that ended very badly for the Albanian National Team, losing it 6-0!

Unfortunately, the Albanian team would suffer two consecutive defeats against Yugoslavia on May 14, 1967 in Tirana, 2-0, and November 12, 1967 4-0 in Belgrade. Meanwhile, the only successful match of the team was against the FRG in Tirana on December 17, 1967, 0-0, a historic draw with one goal disallowed and the elimination of the German powerhouse from the European Championship!

CLUBS IN EUROPE!
“17 Nentori” was the only Albanian team that was part of the list of 33 European champion teams in the 1966-1967 edition of the Champions Cup won by the Scots of “Celltic”.

The draw put them against the Norwegian champion team, “Valerenga”,
but “17 Nentori” or better FSHF decided to withdraw from the competition! The Albanian Football Federation officially notified UEFA of the impossibility of participation before the first match, scheduled for September 1966, was played. As a result, UEFA recorded the qualification of the Norwegian club without a game.

Logistical and bureaucratic reasons: According to the protocols of the time, organizing long-distance trips to Norway and obtaining transit visas through Europe presented great technical difficulties for clubs at that time, which led to the administrative decision not to participate.

2.
SEASON 1966-1967
Now let’s get back to the championship.
Of course, the year 1967 in Albania was also the year of a complete revolution in the lives of Albanians, where fundamental political decisions were made, but for our page it is worth focusing only on sports and specifically on football, without tarnishing it with politics.

12 teams participated in this season’s championship:
“17 Nentori”, as champion of the past two seasons,
“Besa” – Kavaje
“Dinamo” – Ministria brendeshme
“Flamurtari” – Vlore
“Labinoti” – Elbasan,
“Lokomotiva” – Durres
“Luftetari” – Gjirokaster,
“Partizani” UP

“Skenderbeu” – Korce,
“Tomorri” – Berat
“Traktori” – Lushnje
“Vllaznia” – Shkoder.

The championship was held in a two-phase system, after 22 weeks of home and away matches and 132 matches that resulted in the scoring of 304 goals (with a high average of 2.3 goals per match), where Dinamo’s tennis results against “Traktori” 9-2 and against “Tomorri” 7-3 stood out.

The best goal scorer of the championship was Medin Zhega (Dinamo) with 19 goals.

It was the late 60s when Albanian football was proud of the names of footballers, perhaps the greatest of all time, above all Pano, Zhega, Bizi, R. Rragami, A. Mema, Xhacka, Gjinali, Ishka, Jareci…

The Rise of the Capital Triumvirate:
The Uncharted Road (The Opening Phase)
The 1966–1967 Albanian National Championship launched into an immediate, ruthless civil war among the three titans of Tirana. Lacking the chronological sequence of the opening seven fixtures in the federation archives, we instead observe a fierce, strategic chess match played out across the country.

To avoid gridlock on Tirana’s limited pitches, the football authorities operated a constant rotation: while one giant protected the capital, the others were dispatched to conquer the provinces.

On their own turf, each of the big three built an iron-clad fortress.
“K.S. Dinamo” Tiranë turned their home stadium into a house of horrors for visiting teams, unleashing a jaw-dropping 9–2 goal avalanche against “Traktori” Lushnjë and a ruthless 5–0 demolition of “Flamurtari” Vlorë.

Not to be outdone, the reigning champions, Myslym Alla’s
“17 Nëntori”, dominated their capital fixtures, dismantling “Luftëtari” Gjirokastër 5–1 and pushing past “Flamurtari” 2–1.

Partizani completed the home tyranny, blanking “Vllaznia” Shkodër 4–0 and securing comfortable 2–0 victories against both “Tomori” and “Flamurtari”.

The Capital Fortresses: Iconic Home Wins

Dinamo      | 9–2 vs. Traktori &  5–0 vs. Flamurtari
17 Nëntori | 5–1 vs. Luftëtari &  2–1 vs. Flamurtari
Partizani    | 4–0 vs. Vllaznia &  2–0 vs. Tomori

Yet, the true test of champion DNA lay on the rugged, hostile pitches outside the capital. On the road, Partizani marched with military precision, squeezing out crucial 1–0 away wins in Elbasan, Lushnjë, and Gjirokastër.

Dinamo matched this tactical discipline, taking a maximum 3–0 win in Elbasan against “Labinoti” and a vital 1–0 victory in Korçë against “Skenderbeu”.

However, the provinces struck back, inflicting emotional wounds that kept the title race completely volatile.
“17 Nëntori” was ambushed in Shkodra, suffering a shocking 0–2 home slip against “Vllaznia”, and dropped crucial points in a 1–1 stalemate on “Besa” notorious pitch. Dinamo similarly faltered, held to a 2–2 draw by “Besa”.

The crown jewel of this opening phase was the direct head-to-head collision between the two main title contenders.

When the stadiums were cleared for “17 Nëntori” to host “Dinamo”, Myslym Alla’s side produced an athletic masterpiece, shattering Dinamo 3–1. It was a massive statement victory that gave the red-and-blacks a powerful psychological edge, setting up a razor-thin margin as the calendar marched into the fully documented crucible of winter.

Act II: The Documented War (Weeks 8–11)

Week 8: The Derby Eclipse
The uncharted road collided directly with the history books in Week 8, bringing the ultimate capital spectacle to the “Qemal Stafa” Stadium: “17 Nentori vs Partizan”. The atmosphere was electric, fueled by pure sporting pride and decades of fierce rivalry.

In a see-saw battle that completely tore up the tactical script, “Partizani” defeated “17 Nëntori” 3–2 in a five-goal thriller. It was a crushing, emotional blow for the reigning champions, who dropped their first massive points of the season to their bitterest rivals.

“Dinamo” capitalized instantly on the Tirana civil war. Safely hosting their own  fixture, they ground down a stubborn “Vllaznia” 1–0 to pull level
with “17 Nëntori” at the top of the volcanic table.

Week 8: The Capital Shake-Up

“Qemal Stafa” Stadium | Partizani 3 – 2 17 Nëntori (Tirana Derby)
“Dinamo” Stadium | Dinamo 1 – 0 Vllaznia

Week 9: The Rebound and the Takeover
The heavy emotional toll of the derby left “Partizani” exposed the very next week. Travelling to Kavajë, the military club was ambushed, falling 1–2 to “Besa” in front of a raucous provincial crowd.

“17 Nëntori” showed their true champion spine by rebounding instantly, marching into Berat and silencing the stadium with a clean, tactical 2–0 away victory over “Tomori”.

But the week belonged entirely to “Dinamo”. Playing with cold-blooded efficiency, they traveled to Elbasan and completely dismantled “Labinoti” 3–0 on their own turf, officially seizing momentum in the championship race.

Week 10: Back-to-Back Derby Chaos
Week 10 brought the second installment of the capital gauntlet, clearing the stadium for another blockbuster: “Partizani” vs. “Dinamo”. In front of a packed, screaming crowd, these two footballing machines tore into each other, exchanging spectacular goals in a breathless, high-attrition 2–2 draw.

Sensing their chance to punish their drawing rivals, “17 Nëntori” unleashed absolute fury at home. Myslym Alla’s men produced an offensive masterclass, destroying “Traktori” Lushnjë 5–0 to put the rest of the league on notice.

Week 10: Chasers Clashing, Leaders Striking

The Capital Derby | Partizani 2 – 2 Dinamo (Points Split)
The Leader’s Fury | 17 Nëntori 5 – 0 Traktori Lushnjë

Week 11: The Winter Freeze Finale
The curtain fell on this majestic first phase in Week 11 with the table on a knife-edge.

“17 Nëntori” secured the honorary winter championship by executing a professional, tactical 2–0 away victory on the coast against “Lokomotiva” Durrës, locking themselves in first place with 20 points.

“Dinamo” closed out the half-season by dropping a final, staggering 7–3 goal bomb on “Tomori” Berat in a match that looked like a carnival of attacking football, keeping them exactly 2 points behind Tirana (18 points). “Partizani” secured a clinical 1-0 away win in Korçë against “Skënderbeu” to stay firmly within striking distance at 15 points.

3.
Phase Two: The Return Fixtures (The Great Separation)
As the winter snow melted and the national championship reawakened for the second phase, the fierce three-horse race transformed into an intense, head-to-head duel.

“Partizani”, heavily drained by the physical attrition of the opening phase, began to sputter. The military club stumbled on the road, dropping points in critical away fixtures and slowly drifting out of the title picture to find themselves isolated in third place at 25 points.

With Partizani dropping back, the championship belonged entirely to the two titans of Tirana: Myslym Alla’s reigning champions, “17 Nëntori”, and the relentless chasers, “Dinamo” . They separated themselves from the rest of the pack, matching each other blow for blow across the country in an elite display of athletic consistency.

Because the second-phase calendar reversed the home and away venues of the first half, both clubs had to conquer the provinces in enemy territory.

“Dinamo” launched their return campaign with clinical precision, navigating a difficult road trip to defeat “Traktori” 3–1 and later crushing “Flamurtari” 3–0 in Vlora. They protected their home turf with a vital 2–1 victory over “Skënderbeu” Korçë.

“17 Nëntori” answered every single challenge with the poise of true champions. They traveled north to secure a massive 2–0 victory over “Vllaznia” Shkodër and dismantled “Skënderbeu” 2–1 back in the capital. Even on the road in hostile territory, they did not waver, grinding out crucial away victories against “Luftëtari” (3–0) and “Flamurtari” (1–0).

By the time the unmapped fixtures of the second phase concluded, the two rivals stood entirely alone at the apex of Albanian football. “17 Nëntori” held a razor-thin, two-point lead with 33 points, while “Dinamo” breathed down their necks with 31 points. The rest of the league was left in the dust, setting the stage for a dramatic, fully documented four-week finale.

Act III: The Final Countdown and the Bureaucratic Crucible

Week 19: Saturday, June 24, 1967 – The Climax on the Grass
The championship race reached its true athletic climax on Saturday, June 24, 1967, inside a packed “Qemal Stafa” Stadium .

It was the local derby: “Partizani” vs “17 Nentori.
On the pitch, Myslym Alla’s side delivered what should have been the championship-defining masterpiece. Driven by sheer competitive pride, “17 Nëntori” fought past a fierce Partizani squad to claim a thrilling 2–1 victory, courtesy of definitive strikes from Bukoviku and Ishka.

Simultaneously, a massive sporting shock occurred in the north. An unyielding “Vllaznia” Shkodër, marshaled by a 19-year-old Sabah Bizi, held the chasing “Dinamo” to a grueling 0–0 draw. This organic, hard-fought athletic slip left “Dinamo” marooned at 32 points.

With “17 Nëntori” surging to 35 points—holding a commanding 3-point lead with only three games remaining—the championship race was practically won on the grass. The spectators left the stadium convinced they had just witnessed “17 Nëntori” secure their third consecutive crown.

The Locker-Room Incident and the 72-Hour Storm
What followed the final whistle, however, was a heated, high-tension locker-room scuffle—an organic byproduct of an intense local derby. Words were exchanged, and a physical altercation broke out between Partizani’s Agim Dizdari and 17 Nëntori’s Osman Mema, drawing in players like Shule and Frashëri.

Disciplinary flare-ups of this nature are a common reality in football and have occurred across every major European league. In any standard sports federation, a heated post-match melee is dealt with through targeted athletic sanctions: fining the clubs, handing down long-term suspensions to the specific players involved, or issuing a standard points deduction while allowing the teams to finish their season.

Instead, on June 27, 1967, the Presidency of the Albanian Football Federation issued a sweeping, unprecedented decree that sent shockwaves through the nation’s sporting history. The FSHF completely disqualified both “17 Nëntori” and “Partizani” from the remaining three weeks of the championship.

Furthermore, the federation committed a catastrophic administrative and mathematical error. The derby match, which “17 Nëntori” had cleanly won 2-1 on the pitch, was wiped out and recorded into the official registry as a 0–3 forfeit loss for BOTH teams. In the laws of football, a single match yielding two identical defeats is an absurdity—a ghost result that completely disregarded the athletic integrity of the 90 minutes.

While rumors have persisted for decades that the PPSH Politburo and political figures exerted immense backroom pressure to orchestrate this outcome, no official state document has ever been brought to light to prove a targeted conspiracy. Judging this purely as a sporting event, the federation’s total disqualification was a severe administrative failure. Rather than implementing a logical points deduction or punishing the individual instigators, the authorities wielded a bureaucratic guillotine that punished the sport itself.

Week 19: The Athletic Decisive Blow

Qemal Stafa Stadium | Partizani 1 – 2 “17 Nentori”
Shkodër Stadium | Vllaznia 0 – 0 Dinamo 

Actual Standings
1. 17 Nëntori: 35 Points | 2. Dinamo: 32 Points

Results of Week 19
June 24, 1967
Skënderbeu – Flamurtari 1-1
Vllaznia – Dinamo 0-0
Labinoti – Besa 0-0
Partizani – 17 Nëntori 1-2
Tomori – Luftëtari 1-0
Traktori – Lokomotiva 1-1

*   *   *

Saturday: 24 Qershor 1967.
A match that in fact is not known the clear reason why it was played on Saturday while the other matches, including the one against pretender Dinamo, were played on Sunday, June 25. This shift has also left room for many speculations about a “help” for Dinamo in winning the title, up to the later abuses involving the current government and members of the APSH bureau in a conspiracy against ” 17 Nentori” of Tirana.

June 24 remains the day of the derby match and the most talked about challenge in the entire history of Albanian football championships. Since Partizani`s formation in 1947, “17 Nentori” had only beaten them twice in 20 years (1947-1967) before this match; both 2-1 victories at the stadium “Qemal Stafa” in 1965-66 edition of Kampionati Kombetar, in a game that it was pretty much in balance.

“17 Nentori`s coach M. Alla, aware of Partizan`s attacking threat of Lin Shllaku – Robert Jashari and Panajot Pano a lethal triumvirate, opted for a considered approach hoping to exploit Partizani`s need to be offensive. For “17 Nentori”, a draw would constitute a good result; for refik Resmja`s Partizan anything other then victory would leave them with no chance of lifting the tittle cup.

There have been some rumors circulating that, on arrival at “Qemal Stafa” Stadium, the “17 Nentori” players were approached by three opposing fans who imparted on add, cryptic message, “beat Partizan, we don`t want this championship anyway”.

Quite who these fans were and what they ment , remain a mystery, but this peculiar constellation of words seemed indicative of foul play afoot .

Inside the stadium, “tifozet” from both corners of the city created an atmosphere still prevalent in modern day Tirana “derbies” , although the till rolls, shredded toilet paper and racing pigeons have now been succeeded by fireworks and smoke bombs.

The trio of referees, led by the main F. Pupa, along with the two captains, Lin Shllaku (Partizani) and Pavllo Bukoviku (17 Nentori), line up and head to the middle of the field under the enthusiastic cheers of thousands of “fans” of both teams.

TABLE
17 NËNTORI – PARTIZANI 2-1
Saturday, Tiranë 24.6.1967. “Qemal Stafa” National Stadium.

17 NËNTORI: B.Tafaj, F.Frashëri, P.Dhales, O.Mema, A.Gjoni, L.Bytyçi, P.Bukoviku, N.Xhaçka, J.Kazanxhi, S.Hyka, B.Ishka. Coach: M.Alla.

PARTIZANI: M.Janku, M.Gjika, S.Gjika, I.Dingu, J.Shule, L.Shllaku, M.Karriqi, R.Jashari, B.Rudi, P.Pano, L.Shaqiri. Coach: R.Resmja.
Scorer: Jashari ; Bukoviku, 85` Ishka
Referee: F.Pupa (Korçë)

The first to take advantage are the players of “Partizan” with Jashari’s side, (strangely, no document mentions the minute of the goal being scored). The equalizer on the side of “17 Nentori” is achieved by Bukovik.With the game level 1-1 and with eight minutes remaining , Bahri Ishka , slammed home a “17 Nentori” winner, sparking wild celebrations amid “bardhe e blu” contigent inside the stadium.

The revelries, spread to the dugout , where “17 Nentori`s” Niko Xhacka – earlier substituted – enjoyed the moment vociferously . However , Xhacka`s wild celebrations attracted the considerable ire of Partizan and Albanian National captain, Lin Shllaku , and an altercation ensued which Tirana`s captain P. Bukoviku tried to defuse, Shllaku giving Bukoviku a slap for his troubles.

The referee Fidai Pupa from Korce, in a putative attempt to re-establish some semblance of control, sent both players off, Bukoviku`s protests of innocence ignored by the ruffled official.

Minutes later, it was the final score Partizani – “17 Nentori” 2 – 1 (achieving their 3rd victory in 20 years against Partizan),achieving a priceless victory and keeping their dreams of a third successive “Kampion Kombetar” title very much within their remit.

And here , a day later with news of Dinamo`s 0-0 draw against Vllaznia in Shkoder, “17 Nentori” now led table standings by three points with just three games left to play for the title, against Tomorri, Traktori, Lokomotiva, teams that were thought to be able to pass without any problems.

The end of the derby at “Qemal Stafa”, prompted the home support to break in enthusiastic choruses of “Tirona, Tirona!”, to the affront of some communist leaders perched in tribuna.

Fans exited the arena – rapt after witnessing a robust and hard fought a capital Derby from both teams, filing down the concrete staircases of national stadium amid the animated hubbub of the post-match chatter, making their way back into town before heading home, via “Rruga e Elbasan”, to their prefab domiciles.

In the corridor leading to the dressing room, P. Bukoviku dhe O. Mema celebrated “17 Nentori`s” success. Both players had previously played for and won titles with Partizan, but a victory for your team of choice, rather the one subscribed to you via national service, must have meant much more to these friends and team-mates.

Their old coach and mentor at Partizan, Refik Resmja, flanked by a representative from the Albanian Press Organisation (who was also a reporter for the “Sporti Popullor” newspaper) interrupted their post-match huddle.

The moment when the incident occurs is described in many places, and in most cases the variants are as follows: Allegedly, the reporter (a Partizan “sympathizer”- despite press affiliations- who will remain nameless) verbally insulted Bukoviku, calling him a “rabid dog” , to which Osman Mama retaliated by puching the agitator.

After an exchange of choice words, police chef Qemal Balluku – brother to Beqir Balluku , Partizani`s fan and Albanian`s minister of defense – entered the fray to investigate. The “17 Nentori`s” players gave their version of event and that seemingly , was the end of the matter.

The following morning “Sporti Popullor” reported that FSHF had decreed that Partizani and “17 Nentori” forfeit the match 3-0 with their remaining three fixtures also to be forfeited by the same scoreline.

The same source of information continues: “an official report” stated that a fight between players had taken place on the pitch , spurring violent conduct on the terraces. Despite there being no action on the field affecting the course of play with claims of resultant fan violence in Sigurimi-policed Albania patently unfeasible, “17 Nentori” and Partizan were both expelled from the 1966-1967 season of “Kampionati Kombetar” .

In another source we find as follow: The two fans were angry and there were reports that; it would be a problematic match, as of course; it was also of great importance for the continuity of ’17 Nentori’. Everything was aggravated on the field, but there were scenes that had not been seen, because the fights were not absent even among the fans. This situation got out of the control of the police itself and was something unbelievable, for the time.

It was like a war in that match, some wooden stairs were placed for the fans and at one point it creaked, creating a great chaos. The calm and normal continuation of that match took a long time, creating an unprecedented event for the time. In that period, the political side was also very hot. The war against foreign apparitions (Shfaqjeve te huaja) and sheet-lightning (Flete Rrufete) had just begun.

This was considered one of the most serious events for the time. Who dared to make such scenes, in that period, that’s why that decision was made, because facilities could not be created, for the very situation where the country was located!

The situation has been very tense since before the match, with all the measures taken by the police. The head of the police at that time was Qemal Balluku, the brother of Beqir Balluku, the former Minister of People’s Defense, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the PPSH and, at the same time, the first deputy prime minister in Mehmet Shehu’s cabinet.

In fact, Qemal Balluku, in that match, came around the stadium and as soon as he saw any fan making abnormal gestures, he ordered the police to take him out. The irritation was not only on the field between the players, but also worsened on the stadium steps. The kicks were actually started by the players of Tirana”, If this case happened in Germany, would such a decision not have been made?! “Tirana” and “Partizani” were expelled and the match was considered invalid. This was a normal decision and we cannot say now that it was deliberate for ‘Tirana’.

But how can the truth of this event that brought about such a brutal decision be known? Who were the ones who really made and executed such a decision?

In 2007, the reputed Albanian writer, broadcaster and sports journalist Skifter Kellici attempted to uncover the evidence of the meeting that decided the fate of this 1966-1967 season, sourcing the minutes from the General Directorate of State Archives and FSHF meeting of the time. Kellici`s search unearthed nothing; all documentation of this incident had conveniently vanished just like the UFO files cover up.

This is also the reason that today, after many years, this event has been taken up and discussed by everyone, even by ordinary fans of “Tirona” who want the stolen title(!)

Based on abuses as always when there are no facts for the truth of the event, just like a UFO file, it automatically becomes a subject of conspiracy, risking becoming a myth as a product of an unbridled fantasy of minds that sail in the darkest corners of the universe, unfortunately of some well-known journalists who came out of the schools of that dictatorship.

A question arises itself: If this case happened in Serie “A”, in Italy or in Bundensliga, in Germany, or somewhere else, would such a decision not have been made?!

“17 Nentori” and “Partizani” were expelled and the match was considered invalid. This was a normal decision and we cannot say now that it was deliberate for ’17 Nentori’.

Let’s get back now to the “Kampionati Kombetar”.

Weeks 20, 21, and 22: The Shadow Run to the Title
With the reigning leaders and the third-place military club completely removed from the pitch, the final three weeks of the season transformed into a quiet, uncontested run for Dinamo Tiranë.

Week 20: Dinamo comfortably took care of business on the grass, defeating Labinoti Elbasan 3–0, while 17 Nëntori was handed a phantom 0–3 paper defeat against Tomori Berat.

Week 21: Dinamo officially collecting two points via a 3–0 table default victory over the disqualified Partizani, while 17 Nëntori’s fixture against Traktori was registered as their third consecutive paper defeat.

Week 22: The season concluded Dinamo unleashed an absolute offensive masterclass, obliterating Tomori Berat in a staggering 7–3 goal festival. Meanwhile, Tirana’s scheduled match against Lokomotiva was recorded as another automatic 0–3 default loss.

On July 11, 1967, Sporti Popullor published the final, official standings across its pages, declaring Dinamo the champions of Albania with 38 points.

The Final “Official” 1967 Table Standings:

In the second category, “Luftetari” initially falls, while “Flamurtari” plays two additional matches against “Kombinati” and after the victory in Vlora (6-1) and the defeat in Tirana (0-2) they remain in the First Category. F.SH.F, issues the decision that in the next championship of the 1967-1968 season, 14 teams will participate. From this decision, “Luftetari” benefits, remaining in the First Category. From the Second Category, “Apolonia” comes as champion and “Ylli i Kuq” of Pogradeci.

4.
DINAMO – KAMPION I SHQIPERISE:
Koco Dinella; Jani Rama;Andrea Bardhoshi; Frederik Gjinali ;
Mikail Stamo;  Naim Hushi;Lorenc Vorfi; Iljaz Ceco
Taip Cutra;Medin Zhega ; Saimir Dauti,
Janaq Saraci; Clirim Hysi; Foto Stamo
Gani Xhafa; Xhevahir Taushan; Ibrahim Kodra
Durim Shehu; Namik Jareci
Ivan Loli; Shusja; Bujar Hyka, Durim Bako
Koco Dinella, Bulku, Popa,
Shpetim Hoxha, Edmond Dilaveri, Mehdi Bushati; Faruk Sejdini.
Coach:
Skender Jareci.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Mutual Respect
To truly honor the golden era of Albanian football, we must look past the paperwork of the FSHF chancellery and evaluate the 1966–1967 season strictly through the lens of sportsmanship. This cursed season should never be used to denigrate or diminish any of the institutions involved.

Partizani Tiranë proved themselves to be a formidable, elite powerhouse whose tactical discipline and fierce competitive fire brought immense drama and quality to the capital. Dinamo Tiranë was a magnificent, highly efficient goal-scoring machine, boasting a legendary roster that earned every ounce of their success on the field, including historic victories like their 9–2 and 7–3 explosions.

They did not write the flawed federation rules; they simply played the matches ahead of them. And 17 Nëntori proved to the world that they possessed a beautiful, untamable ensemble that remained completely undefeated on the grass through 19 grueling weeks of football.

By stripping away the modern political revisions and the flawed administrative decisions of the past, we restore the genuine athletic merit to the players who sweat on the pitch. The 1967 championship stands as a timeless monument to the sheer quality, passion, and resilience of Albanian football—a historic duel where the true spirit of the beautiful game could never be erased by a bureaucrat’s pen.

Other Sporting Events of 1967

Approximately two months after this extraordinary event in the history of European football, on August 19, 1967, “17 Nëntori” of Tirana defeated “Dinamo” with an irresistible 5-2 for the 25th Anniversary Cup of the “Sporti Popullor” and won the corresponding cup. “Partizan” won 2-0 against “Fenerbahce” of Istanbul.

Dinamo is drawn to face Eintracht Braunschweig of the German RF for the Champions Cup. But Albania withdraws.

Meanwhile, Albania takes 13th place in the European Men’s Volleyball Championship held in Istanbul and Ankara, which today seems like a dream when you remember such results as:
Albania – German RF 3-1, Albania – Turkey 3-1, Albania – Netherlands 3-2!

Then, “Dinamo”, alongside Asllan Rusi at the helm, wins 3-2 against “Partizan” of Belgrade in volleyball for the Champions Cup.

© B. Pjerin
“Bryant Park”, New York City
May, 2026
________________
Sports Vision + Plus | Champions Hour since 2013

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