From UVIL ZAJMI
Memorie.al / I had planned an article about Torez Çiraku for a long time, since I lived closely with that generation of sportsmen and footballers, including Torez. Excellent player, kind, very loving, friendly, role model on the field and in life. That’s how I remember it. Then, his career divided into two parts: “Partizani” and “Dinamo”. From a talented player, but short and not preferred by Boriçi, to the surprise transition to the ranks of “Dinamo”. It was a sensational transfer, all the more so for the rivalry between the two sports clubs.
This is where his brilliant career begins. Starting from the first game, a modern “ala tornante” of the time, tireless, like a motor, going back and forth, in tune with manual actions with Iljaz Çeço, Gani Xhafa in support of Shyqëri Ballgjini, Vasillaq Zëri and Ilir Përnaska, of “Dinamo”, famous.
Then the irrevocable separation, the departure to Italy where he currently lives and the difficult surgical intervention in the heart, when the Italian doctor advised him: “I have given you 30 years of life, don’t abuse it, so that you don’t come to me again”. This is what Torez Çiraku tells us and then adds: “I like Insinje, he reminds me of my game.”
Mr. Çiraku, a few weeks ago a daily newspaper published an article with the most popular trios of Albanian football. Among them were you with Iljaz Çeço and Gani Xhafa…
Honestly, I was very happy when I read it, since the newspaper was sent to me in Italy.
A family not related to sports, while you are in love with football and “Partizan”…! Why?
I was born in 1948, we are two brothers. The eldest engineer, while my family sent me to “Skënderbej” school. I was a mobile guy. Even though I didn’t want to, I didn’t like it, the dream of playing with “Partizan” was an opportunity that this school offered. The first coaches were Skënder Deda, Sh. Çiçiku and Bejkush Birçe. As “Skenderbegas”, I stayed for 4 years.
I was the captain of the school team and of the “Partizan” youth team. There I met Neptun Bajko, Pëllumb Shaqiri, Bashkim Muhedin, Chako, Lena, Spiro Gjika, Gjergj Thaka, Suvorov Seferi, etc. As former Skenderbegas, we maintained our friendship on and off the field. Even today.
We remember when you were a “Partizan” player, you trained at the former Party School…?!
In 1965, I went to “Partizani”, to the first team. The coaches were Rexhep Spahiu and Loro Boriçi. I played midfielder and had good technical data. Tactically, I positioned myself well and read the game. The training at the former Party School was attended by many fans. The showers were behind the Sports Palace “Partizani” (Today “Asllan Rusi”) and we had to cross the road.
The Sports Club was also there. We used to gather in Sabah Biz’s room, smoke cigarettes. Even though we were guarded, Boriçi knew and did not like this. The cook was Zari, some of us were special. He gave them something more as a treat. The coach was Refik Resmja.
Can we say that “Partizani” was being reformatted?
Resmja stayed from 1966-1967 to 1969. After the events of 1967, the expulsion of “November 17” and “Partizan”, he created a new team, keeping several starters. But it brought and activated our generation, with new players: Neptun Bajko, Shaqirin, me, Kenon, etc. Refik Resmja, as a former striker, prioritized the attack. It made for a fun lineup. In 1968, we won the Cup of the Republic and in September we played against “Torino”.
From the bench to the field, you were the initiator of the goals against “Torino”, right?
In the two matches against “Torino” I started from the bench, replacing two great footballers. In Tirana, as soon as the second half starts, I replace Robert Jashari and I passed the first ball to Ramazan Rragami, that to Neptun Bajko, this to Shaqiri and a goal. In the return match in “Torino”, in the 76th minute, I replaced the injured Pano. In the 84th, I hit in the area. The porter waited for him. Bajko sent the returned ball into the net with his head. So, I was the starter in the two goals of “Partizan”, but I came from the bench.
Resmja is gone, Boriçi is back. How did things go?
When Resmja left “Partizani”, Boriçi came. It must have been 1969-1970, if I’m not mistaken. For some players, like me, Agim Janku, Neptun Bajko, Shaqiri and others, the reports changed. In the 1970 season, “Partizani” won the Cup of the Republic, while in 1970-1971, it was declared champion. We stayed on the bench more.
Why, what was the motive?
Boric’s preferences were known. Mainly, he didn’t like short players. I was 166 cm. A concept for which I am not prejudicial even today. At “Partizani”, there were several of them, me, Agim Janku, because he didn’t activate us, we stayed in reserve. So, it was clear that the future, my career at “Partizani”, with Boric as coach, was hopeless.
“Dinamo” enters the game. How did the idea of a transfer to this club come about?
Meanwhile, “Dinamo” had known this situation for a long time. In Tirana, we met and talked every day. Our work had become an issue, discussed everywhere. They sent an official request to the Sports Club for my, Bajko and Shaqiri’s pass. But, both from the Club and coach Boriçi, the answer was clear: “They are ‘Partizan’ players and they will not leave”.
Is it true that your father, a well-known former general of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, intervened?
I had a house and a school near the Club and I liked to play with “Dinamon”. I had friends who were footballers. At home I cried like a child, because Boriçi did not activate me. Worried about me, my father, a former general, then a major officer, intervened, spoke with the leaders of the Ministry of Defense, with Boric, asking him: “Don’t stop my son from going to play wherever he wants.”
There was hesitation, arguments. The Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Petrit Dume, although he never wanted to leave, remained silent, did not interfere. Others also intervened, who forced the Club, convinced Loro that I should leave.
It was not an easy separation. I remember well that it caused a stir at the time. A Partizan player fled to rival Dinamo…
My departure from “Partizani” to “Dinamo” had many echoes. Such a transfer had never happened before, nor later, especially between two rival clubs. Although no one from “Partizani” wanted me to leave, including club leaders, who thought differently from Boriçi, who kept me there without activating me.
No one was angry with me, not only the players, but also the leaders of “Partizan”, and not even the fans. They were sorry, of course. I was 22 years old when I left. The transition was made between the two Clubs and the two respective ministries, as a form of transfer-federation, for the time being.
Even Aagim Janku, he was short, not liked by Boriçi, but he did not leave “Partizani”! How is it explained?
Together with Janku, we had this problem, starting from Borič’s preference. What made my game different from Agimi’s was that Janku was a fast winger, a dribbler, while I was a classic maneuvering midfielder, more involved in the team’s tactical schemes.
Dawn was spectacular, a real talent, a whole fan base behind him. This was also a reason that forced Borič to activate it. The fans wanted it. Of the group, only I was able to escape. Bajko, Shaqiri, Čako stayed there, but as the events unfolded, they also left a little later.
Go to “Dinamo”, different atmosphere, different players, different game philosophy and it was not easy, right?
I joined “Dinamo” in January 1971, while I also started the Higher Institute of Physical Culture “Vojo Kushi”. I was waiting to go, since staying at “Partizani” had become impossible. I had faith. Physically I was fine, not worn out, technically complete. Based on the request, their desire to play with them, created a situation for me, a positive feeling.
How were you received at “Dinamo”?
I was received very well by Gjinali, Përnaska, Çeço and others. I started training in the annex near the stadium, for many years we have trained there. I went out by myself in the morning, a little running, a little gymnastics, which made a little impression on them and someone said: “It just arrived, I want to show it off. Once he’s in the lineup, we’ll see. It will start to smell like the others.”
The coach was Skënder Jareci, the man who changed your career?
He was decisive. Jareci had a sense of smell and seeing my technical and physical qualities, he believed in me and directed me to play as a midfielder on the left wing, although my foot was right. I had a base, I arched pretty well with my left. I quickly consolidated with the group. He activated me in the first match of the second phase, February 1971. “Dinamo”-“Luftëtari”, 3-0.
Me, Çeço, Xhafa, created a technical and tactical midfield. Checho is a smart, unpredictable player. Xhafa, physically strong, hit the goal, we alternated movements, actions. A compact team, well organized, tactically disciplined. I started with Jarec, I ended my career with him. Together with Hallun, he led “Dinamon” in the 1974, 1975, 1976 seasons.
Do you remember the first international match?
It against “Austria” in Vienna, September 1971. “Dinamo” won the cup and I was the starter in both meetings for the Cup of Cups: 1-1 in Tirana and 0-1 in Vienna. Then the long years of exclusion itself, which isolated us, without any international meeting at the peak of “Dinamo”.
Have you played enough derbies with the “Dinamo” jersey, against your former “Partizan”?
I remember the first one, week 16, second stage, February 1971, “Dinamo”-“Partizani”, 2-1. On the field to my friends. Heavy terrain, lots of tension. Gjinali and Përnaska scored. There are several derbies won by us, but also “Partizani”. In the 1973-1974 season, we won 2-0, I scored the first goal. In that championship, we became champions, separated by 7 points from “Partizani”, the second in the classification.
They lost another derby with “Partizan” 1-2. I scored the only goal after a combination; Gjinali-Përnaska, Iliri followed me. In a match for the Cup of the Republic in the quarter finals, “Partizani” eliminated us with goals from Agim Murati and Sejdari. For this trophy, the final in 1974, “Dinamo” won 1-0 and we got the trophy.
Are you also a “model, cold-blooded director”, that’s how the “Sporti Popullor” newspaper of those years defines you?!
It’s not that I excelled as a scorer. Against “Skënderbeu”, after a combination of Përnaska – Gani Xhafa, I scored a decisive goal. I think it is about this meeting.
In the press of the time we read: “The weight of Ciraku is felt in every match. The apprentice, the player with strong lungs, opens up work for any defense”…!
It was a derby match against “17 November”. We won 3-0, with three goals from Pernaska. Cecho and I have stood out. But I want to emphasize that in the derby challenges, I was very careful, not angry, not angry. I had no one to take my anger out on. No, never. I had all my friends. Instead, I played my game. Then even in nature, I didn’t have the aggressiveness, the severity.
Did you meet coach Boriçi later?
Of course, but I always respected it. I never expressed my displeasure or anything. For me, the “Partizan”-player chapter was closed, regardless of the nostalgia, the love I had for that Club, with which I was educated, grew up, dreamed. I have never asked Loros, the reasons for my non-activation. Boriçi, very authoritarian, did not get involved in these conversations, reports, relations with the players. At the end of the day, there are likes and dislikes that every coach has.
Based on your excellent career at “Dinamo”, do you think that at “Partizani” they might have regretted?
First, I can tell you one thing: I wouldn’t leave “Partizan” if I played. I never thought of it, but not to end my career as a reserve. Even today I will answer like this: I did not make a mistake, I judge for the choice I made. As for going to “Dinamo”, they did not think that I would have another career. They neglected me, did not appreciate me, did not recognize my abilities. Years later, the doctor Ismail Feta said to Loro: “What a mistake you made not to activate Çiraku.” You took him by the neck, but also ‘Partizan'”!
Ahmet Shqarri said: “Torez Çiraku was flying on the mud”. A definition found?
I am glad that Shqarri has not forgotten me and remembers me in this way as well. I played the same on every court, indoors or outdoors, regardless of the weather conditions: rain, cold, mud, hard ground and that’s true. During the 90 minutes, I ran both in attack and defense. Only once have I been injured in the head, I spent several weeks in the hospital. I never got yellow.
You are the only one who played with “Partizan”, then “Dinamon”. What was the difference?
At “Partizani”, I had my soul, at “Dinamo” I found myself. The game of “Partizan” had a different physiognomy, more physical, aggressive, more vigorous. “Dinamo” courses, more academic, with a control, intelligent management, open game, a style, a way that suited my characteristics. With many meetings and supporting technical players. He created the group. A philosophy, a tradition installed over the years by a strategist like Skënder Jareci, which he still maintains today.
You played with the famous “Dynamo”, from the 1970s-1980s, the greatest team of all time…!
I had this luck. Two trios were on the field: I, Iljaz Çeço and Gani Xhafa. Then Shyq Ballgjini, Llaq Zëri, Ilir Përnaska. The goalkeepers, I remember Jani Rama, Met Ahmedan, Ilir Luarasi and even Pandi Saren. Then Faruk Sejdin, Rifat Ibërshim, Mergjysh, Fred Gjinal, Hume Kodra, Petrit Gjon, Kujtim Çoçol, Astrit Hafiz, Čutra, Kastriot Hys, Zenun, Andrea Marko, etc.
After Jareci and the arrival of Ballgjini, coach Dume gave him priority and I played as a midfielder behind him. Even Sabri Peqini did not change anything. In that period, we dominated with play and goals. On the field, we were players and coaches. With “Dinamon”, I won 2 Cups, 3 championship titles.
You have been alongside some great players at “Partizani” and “Dinamo”. Do you remember them?
I played with Panajot Panon, Robert Jashar, Ramazan Rragami, Muarrem Karriq, Mikel Janku, etc., etc. I liked Gani Merja, Pano without question, then Iljza Çeço, Llaq Zëri, Ilir Përnaska, like a “dynamite” he was, above all, Sabah Bizi, unattainable. But idol, I had Lin Shllak, who I remember when he used to tell me: “Don’t get too tired going back and forth, save your energy, not maximum effort, have the strength to wait for the opponent and go on the attack.”
You talk about Bizi with a lot of consideration, but when you were opponents?
When I went to “Dinamo”, he played with “Partizan”, and in the first derby as a Dynamo player, I played against him. As for “Vllaznia”, I remember three meetings in Shkodër, won 1-0 by us, with goals scored by Zëri, in the first, Përnaska in the second and Zëri in the third, it was a Cup semi-final. Midfield Rragami-Bizi and I with Cheço, with a great rivalry.
Iljazi would leave Biz to me, I would leave it to him. Even for Biz, it was difficult. After the match, we had let him go to his house. But the challenge after 120 minutes ended 1-0 for “Dinamon”, with a goal by Zeri and “Vllaznia” was eliminated. After the meeting, we left immediately and I couldn’t stay, while Sabahi was waiting for us at his house, with dinner ready.
You have been living in Italy for a long time. How are things going there?
Over ten years in the province of Abruzzo, I live with one of the girls. The other daughter lives in Germany and works in the administration of the city of Cologne. When I was playing, my family, and even after I got married, stayed away from the sport. I’m a grandfather. The little nephew can become a football player, he has data.
Let’s talk a little about the surgical intervention. What did the doctor tell you?
In Naples, the surgeon, after performing the intervention, advised me: “I have seen your heart tired, it must have been going back and forth a lot…”! Of course, with humor. When they told him that I was a football player, he added: “I gave you 30 years of life, if you abuse, you will come here again.”
To conclude, Mr. Torez, you were a model in the field and, in life, and you have remained so. What will you say to the reader?
First, thank you for your consideration, appreciation. I left football in 1976. I left and never looked back. Returning to my story with “Partizan”, as a “stab in the back” it was, that’s how it stayed with me.
THE TESTIMONY OF FORMER CAPTAIN ILJAZ CEÇO: CIRAKU, THE SPIRIT OF “DINAMOS”
– “Torezi’s game was like his own character. It is not possible for a footballer to develop that game without having it in his soul and as a philosophy of life” –
Mr. Iljaz, Torezi says that Ceço was the first one who wanted him at Dinamo, is it true?
With the arrival of Torez, the team was completed. He was the soul of the team, omnipresent, engine of the field. A “tornante wing” of the time, continuation of the game of Thoma Duro, but of course more modern and which turned into the tactical system of the game of “Dinamo”. An “assistman”, how many goals scored by Përnaska, are also with his arches from the left and right.
Who was the footballer Ciraku?
Not only technically, but when he had the ball, they couldn’t get it, even though he was surrounded by two or three players. He defended it brilliantly, like few footballers. In the Balkan Cup, in Piraeus, Greece, we won 4-3. It was the most prominent. Charming player, smart, high technique, organizer, extraordinary fantasist. Very loving, friend with everyone, educated, no card in career.
The starting apprentice at “Dinamo”, never in the National Team. How do you explain it?
Boriçi did not include him in the formation, and did not let him escape from “Partizani”. Likewise Agim Jankun, who gave victories to “Partizan”. He didn’t collect them once in the National team and that, only because they were both short. Memorie.al
