From Uvil Zajmi
Memorie.al / The meeting with an Old Italian friend, the well-known journalist of “Guerin Sportivos”, now retired, Rosano Donnini, aroused my interest to deal with a little-informed and told topic. A good connoisseur of the sport of Eastern countries, especially the Balkans, who came to Albania for vacation, asked me to talk to Sulejman Demollari. However, this meeting did not take place, due to the fact that Demo was on vacation away from Tirana. “I was in Bucharest in February, invited by Steaua to George Hagit’s 50th anniversary,” Donnini told me. – In the organized ceremony, on a video projector, the first among 39 interviewees from all over the world was Sulejman Demollari. He spoke Romanian. Demollari is regarded as ‘King’ in Bucharest. In a poll done there, he is the best foreign player in Romania.”
It was this conversation that provoked me to be interested in what is the “second part” of careers and sportsmen, especially well-known footballers, protagonists of Albanian championships, among the first to leave to play with foreign clubs immediately after the 90s. It’s…!
There are several, but among the most spectacular are those of Rudi Vata at ‘Sëltik’ of Glasgow in Scotland, Tur Lekbellos of Tirana at ‘Arisi’, of Thessaloniki and Bledar Kola of ‘Partizan’, at AEK in Greece. But Demollari’s is special: he is the first Albanian footballer who was able to sign a professional contract with a well-known European club. I asked Donnin to help me with his archive and, without hesitation; he sent me what he had.
Luçesku’s condition: “I only want Demollar”
Demollari expected to play in Greece, in a western club such as ‘Panathinakosi’. This was the promise of a Greek manager named Tasos, who came to Albania in the early 90s, in June 1991, at “Qemal Stafa”, after the Albania-Iceland 1-0 match. Meanwhile, a person, Vasil Toçi, an engineer by profession, a former student in the 60s in Romania, who was waiting for him, meets him and says: “Sule, I have an offer for you from ‘Dinamo’ of Bucharest. Coach Luçesku has requested that you bring only Demollari from Albania…”!
There were several matches where his attention was drawn: “Dinamo” of Tirana – “Černomore” of Romania 1-3 and 4-0, as well as the two challenges between the two “Dinamos” a year ago. “All are paid”, said Vasil Toçi, who had realized the transfer of Agalli to the “Universitatea” of Craiova in Romania a few months ago. Taking advantage of the rest period, with the famous airline “Tarom”, which made Bucharest – Tirana – Rome once a week, Toçi and Demollari traveled to Romania.
A club vehicle took them directly to the president’s office, where coach Lučescu was also present. Afterwards, Demollari left to settle in the “Bucharest” hotel, where Vasili went in the evening and gave him the news: “Demo, three-year contract with 250 thousand dollars. Go take your family, next week
they will be waiting here”. Unbelievable news, a surprise, so much so that he spent the whole night as if in a dream and remained sleepless.
Parting with “Dinamon” and the historic signature…!
A farewell lunch was organized with “Dinamon” in Tirana and, after a week, Demollari together with his late father, his fiancee, Vasili and Mehdi Bushati, as representatives of the club, left for Romania. On the way to Rinas, a friend’s “Fiat” vehicle breaks down in Kashar. They had to push it and, luckily for them, the car started and they continued on their way to the airport. It was June 12, 1991, at 2:00 p.m., when two luxury cars were located under the stairs of the plane, at the “Otopen” airport.
They took him to the hotel and the next day at the club’s offices the contract was signed in three copies: 250 thousand dollars and three years at “Dinamo” Bucharest. Then the press conference took place, where they reminded him that a year ago, Demollari had missed a sure qualifying goal in the 87th minute (the result was 2-0 for “Dinamon” of Bucharest, while with 2-1 they qualified Dinamo’ of Tirana, after winning 1-0 in Tirana). For a few months, Sula stayed in the hotel with her fiancee and, later, the wedding took place on December 31 in Tirana. Then, an apartment and the birth of the daughter.
The press explodes: “Un fotbalist de 24 de karate” (“A 24 carat footballer”)
June, as soon as he arrived in Romania, Sula left with the team for a friendly tour in the Netherlands. In the meantime, coach Lučescu fled to “Brescia” in Italy and the coach is Halagan, while the sports director is Rinus Izrael, a former player of “Fejnord” of Rotterdam. In the triangular between “Meshelen”, “Dinamo” of Bucharest and “Gallatasaraji”, of Istanbul, Demollari scores two goals against Prodhom and one against the Turks, being declared the best scorer and player of the tournament.
Then the first match in the championship, ‘Dinamo’ – ‘Petrolul’ 6-0 with two of his goals (one with a penalty). The debut is a surprise and the newspapers and sports columns have exploded with superlative evaluations: “The 24-carat footballer who gets ‘Dinamo’…’Demollari gives an assist, scores and gives a lecture’… ‘Dinamo finds a leader’… ‘He possesses an individual technique to “we were envious”, was written, among other things, in the Romanian sports press. Very quickly he won everyone’s sympathy, becoming a very popular sportsman throughout Romania.
With Ceausescu’s charter, Demo, fear of avionics…!
Sul Demollari was and still is very afraid of the plane. If possible, he prefers to travel by car, but during his career something like this has been impossible, as the plane has always been needed. However, in Romania he was lucky enough to travel on the plane of the ex-communist president executed together with his wife (Elena) at the end of the 90’s, Nilolae Ceausescu.
The “Dinamo” club, in every long-distance transfer, especially outside Romania, rented that plane. It was a big “Boing”, with a bed inside, very comfortable, which was stored and used for such movements. While for family members, children and other people, the club received a second plane at the same time. Sula always had his wife at the stadium. She has followed him in every challenge, both inside and outside Bucharest, in European activities.
Transfer of Ben Minga to Romania
The transfer of the football player of the 17 November team of Tirana, Arben Minga, was carried out in the air. After a tournament in Athens and a 2-0 friendly victory over ‘Panathinaikos’, the next day in a bar in ‘Omonia’ square, together with three Romanian players, Demollari met Minga who was active there. The Romanians recognized him, since he and Josa had punished them in Bucharest, some time ago. The idea was born to take Minga to “Dinamo” Bucharest.
On the return trip, Demollari and captain Mihaesku were on the plane. They have proposed to the president, Janolu, for Ben Minga. The answer was approving, and he even showed interest in Josa and Muca. In a few days, the visa was ready and Minga landed in Bucharest, together with his wife Nora and their son. The contract and transfer in the form of debt to “Brahila”, a team in the First Category, a satellite of “Dinamo” Bucharest. Then, the legend of the goal of ‘Partizan’ and the national team, Perlat Musta, striker Agim Canaj and goalkeeper Ilir Bozhiqi came from Tirana, all supported and guaranteed by Demollar.
Jersey number 11, undivided
“Demo”, that’s what they called it. During three years in Romania, in the shirt with vertical red-white colors, with a red dog symbol, he played with the number 11. When he arrived at ‘Dinamo’ they were all players of the national teams and that Hope and had the privilege of choosing numbers from 1-11. Demo was the youngest in that environment and, after the other footballers got their preferred numbers, he was left with the number 11 jersey, free. “Then this shirt belongs to me”, Demollari told the officials. Interesting, actually, because from “Dinamo” of Tirana, to that of Bucharest, but also in the National team, he has always played with the number 11.
The goal in the derby
After three weeks, the derby with “Steaua” of Bucharest. The match was played at the “Dinamo” stadium. For Demollari, it was the first outside the Albanian borders, but in many ways the same as against ’17 November’ of ‘Partizan’ (‘Dinamo’ team of the Ministry of Interior, ‘Steaua’ of the Ministry of Defense and ‘Rapidi’ of Klasa Workers). As in any country, the derby is not played, but must be won. This was also valid in Bucharest.
Many spectators, tension, difficult match. The first half ended 0-0. Everyone was curious and eagerly waiting to see Demollar’s performance. And it has not disappointed them. “Dinamo” wins with a spectacular goal of his, in the 63rd minute. “Demolari, Demolari of the military month!” (“Demolition, Demolition and death to the soldiers”), – shouted the whole stadium in chorus.
Just a yellow card
Match for the championship, ‘Piatra Nems’ – ‘Dinamo’ Bucharest, 1-0 for the locals. Inside the area, Demollari claims an 11-meter penalty, but Kracinescu, one of the most authoritative referees in Romania (of FIFA and of the Milan-Benfica final in Vienna), continues the game. Nervous, he followed him and, in protest, pulled him off his shirt.
He stopped the game by punishing him with a yellow card, when it was known that such an action was a straight red. After the match, they met in the lobby of the stadium and he said: “What did you do Demo? I gave you a yellow card because it was you”?! In Bucharest, Demon is remembered as the footballer who, in three seasons, received only that card, as he was very correct.
In the last minute, Janolu’s heart “rests”.
This is another gem of his…! The incident happened in the derby against “Rapid”, which is known for its problematic fans, as they are very passionate. First half 3-1 for “Dinamon”, with Demos’ double. In the 94th minute, everything changed and 4-3 for “Rapid”. It is a corner in favor of “Dinamo” and the defenders head the ball away, which ends up with the Albanian. Located at the arc of 16 meters, with a perfect shot, he scores a 4-4 draw.
“When the numbers were 4-3, President Janolu left the stadium, as he considered the game lost. In the last few minutes, he followed him on the radio”. His driver discovered this the next day, while when Demollari scored the equalizing goal; the president suffered a heart attack and ended up in the emergency room. That day it was a year and a half without any loss. The championship was won with 30 wins and 4 draws…!
In the exam, the teacher’s “revenge”.
On Monday, after the 4-4 draw and the goal in the last seconds in the derby with “Rapid”, Demollar’s wife, who was studying at the Faculty of Philology, French branch, had the French language exam. The teacher, a crazy fan of ‘Rapid’, as soon as he saw his last name, recognized him by saying: “What your husband did to me yesterday, if you were between 4 and 5, I would have put you 4, but since you are between 9 and 10, I will rate it as 9. You got this from your husband”. However, after receiving the gradebook, she saw that the lecturer had graded her with a 10…!
Very popular with the governors
In Bucharest, in an official visit invited by the President of the Republic, Iljon Iljesku, at the beginning of the 90s, the President of the Republic, Dr. Prof. Sali Berisha and MP Azem Hajdari. At the dinner organized at the Albanian embassy, among those present was Demollari. “You have a famous sportsman who plays here in Bucharest”, the Romanian head of state told President Berisha. The latter had asked to meet him, as he did not know him before. While Azem Hajdari yes, as he was his friend and fan of “Dinamo”. His fame in Romania was also felt by other leaders of the Albanian state, when they traveled or stayed there for work problems.
When the Italian press suspected…!
“Doubts about Demollari, is he really injured?”. This is what Guerin Sportivo wrote on the eve of the meeting between Genoa and Dinamo Bucharest for the UEFA Cup, interpreting his absence in training the day before the match as a tactic. “After an hour of training at Luigji Ferraris, the coach of the ‘Dinamo’ team, Halagian, declares that Demollari with 99% will not be on the field, due to a withdrawal”.
Meanwhile, the president of “Dinamo”, Ianulu, intervened, who said in Italian: “Unfortunately, we have to play without the scorer and captain of the Albanian National Team, Demollari. But, he will be in the return match. A draw would be ideal. We are sure that the qualification will be decided in Bucharest, in our stadium”.
While with Alegr, the current coach of ‘Juventus’, they faced and were on the field in the meeting ‘Kaljari’ – ‘Dinamo’ Bucharest, again in the UEFA Cup. But the victories after the qualifiers with “Lahti”, “Sporting” of Luis Figo’s Lisbon and the matches with Olympique Marseille led by the duo: Berndard Tapi – Franc Beckenbauer, remain unforgettable. Demo, has been among the best players of those challenges.
Tears of the president behind bars
Vasile Janul (not living) has been and remains a unique person for “Dinamon”, from Bucharest, for Demollari and for Albanians. Lawyer by profession, former football player, in Tirana he was in the Balkan Cup in the 70s. Accused of tax evasion, related to player transfers, when he was president of the club, he was arrested and was in prison under investigation. It was the year 2000 and Demollari was in Romania. The former Albanian midfielder of “Dinamo” of Bucharest went to meet him and he was extremely touched: “Demo, you have taken the road from Albania and come to meet me in prison…”?, Janul said to him, bursting into tears…!
A few months at ‘Steaua’ and the meeting with the legend of the goal, Dukadan
It was 1994, the month of July, and Demollar’s contract with “Dinamon” of Bucharest had ended. In the meantime, he receives an invitation from the managers of ‘Steaua’. The offer is one year, coach Emerik Jenei, the former coach of the European champion in ’86, likes it, and in the club premises, Demollari, the first to meet, was Dukadan, Honorary President, the goalkeeper who saved the penalties in the victory of famous to ‘Barcelona’. It was completely normal and no damage to the hands as mentioned. Without further ado, Demo left with the team for Brasov, to the club’s complex for the preparatory phase, where he found Lakatus, the well-known captain of ‘Steaua’. However, the stay at ‘Steaua’ was not realized, as the fans of ‘Dinamo’ protested, forcing the managers not to let him leave for a rival team.
In November 1994, he parted amicably with “Dinamo” and left for Greece, after he had an offer from Panionios, where he played in 24 matches and scored 1 goal. For a year there and faced the challenges in the Athens derby (the only player who could have played three derbies of different countries), then a short transfer to Hungary with the team ‘Rabat Gyor’ where in five games, he scored 1 goal with that humble team. After that comes the year 1997 and for the legend Demollari, comes the withdrawal from professional football. He was 33 years old; his career has ended, although he continued for a while in Chieti, Italy.
Pink Chronicle and “Benzi” by Perlat Musta
He has never fallen victim to the cameras of the Romanian paparazzi. They have guarded him, followed him, everywhere and at any time and moment, as is done with football players or public figures. But Demollar’s life in Bucharest has been very limited, without abuse: home, training, family. Never in a “night club”, a very professional regime.
On the beach, he preferred to go to Constanta and Romania, he moved in a “Renault” car, given to him by the club. While for trips abroad, he bought a “Benz Mercedes” that he kept in the embassy yard. It was Perlat Musta, his friend and teammate at ‘Dinamo’ and at Kombëtare, who pushed him: “Get, buy a ‘Benz’, they are immortal…”!
Return to Bucharest
After leaving, Demollari has returned several times to Romania. It was the year 2000, when he was in Italy and an invitation came to him for an anniversary of the club, playing in a friendly with the veterans, ‘Dinamo’ – ‘Steaua’ 4-4. Demollari was the author of the last goal. Then with ‘Dinamo’ of Tirana in the challenge against ‘Dinamo’ of Bucharest, for the Champions League, in 2002. And the last one, when he mediated the transfer of the Albanian striker, Ervin Bakaj, from the Albanian capital to ‘Dinamo’ Bucharest, in January 2011. They are nostalgic for it.
What gave and received from “Dinamo” of Tirana and that of Bucharest…?
When he moved to Bucharest, Sul Demollari had a long, acclaimed and eventful career. He was only 17 years old, when he made his debut with “Dinamo” of Tirana and from 1981 to 1991, in about 250 matches, he scored 100 goals. During that period, for 10 years in a row, he was the absolute protagonist, the captain of his team and of the national team, the hope of that “A”, until 1996, where he scored 1 goal in 45 matches. A versatile and ubiquitous player, one of the great talents of Albanian football.
Then, three seasons at “Dinamo” Bucharest when he was 28 years old, even in some matches as its captain, where he scored 36 goals in 100 matches played. At the famous Romanian club, from the first game to the last, he was a stable player and made a great contribution to winning a championship, twice under the champion, as well as scorer with 18 goals in the first season.
He left Romania, leaving behind fame, which still follows him today when he goes down there, or when Romanians come to Albania. “Demo, if you were three years younger…”, they always said. From Romania, among other things, he keeps the jersey, a copy of the contract and his friendship with Vasil Toči, although the engineer lives more in Bucharest, but he is still grateful to him. He was the one who would offer him that sensational transfer, after that meeting in distant June of 91! Memorie.al
