From Uvil Zajmi
Memorie.al / It was not just a qualification, but after “Partizan” in 1961, more in “pole position”, in the Champions Cup, now it is “Dinamo” of Tirana. Beyond the net, will be the Italians of “Virtus”, a potent opponent, since the difficulty, it is almost impossible to match them. They have experience in such meetings, quality players, treatments, sponsorships, conditions. But how was it born and how was it built the most spectacular formation in Albanian boys’ volleyball, in the second half of the last century? What was that 6 that surprised, not only the national reality, but also that outside the borders of communist Albania?
Continues from last issue
“In Bologna, the Mayor belonged to the Communist Party; they made us “Honorary Citizens”!
The conversation with Ylli Shehu was really exciting. Since the 1990s, having left Albania and settled near Cologne in Germany, where he lives with his family, he was initially surprised. But very soon, the conversation started and stopped all the more when I told him the motive, what he remembered from that “Dinamo”, the meetings with “Virtus”, of Italy, those afterwards, as the captain of that great team. I have known them closely, and I remember when the line-up of “Dinamo” started with Shehu, the authoritative captain, chutre, 1.91 m tall, admirable physique, correct, professional education even today 84 years old, unchanged.
Mr. Ylli, what do you remember about the challenges against the Italian team, “Virtus”?
The Italians came to Tirana, not knowing what Albania was, the level of our volleyball, which served as a favor for us, and they thought the victory was easy. I remember the fans and in the corridor after the meeting, when among them someone shouted: “I told you, don’t underestimate them”. It was a result that surprised even the Italian journalists accompanying the team.
First game, tactical victory?
We applied the flutter serve, attack and fast, low-ball play against the tall block with their powerful shooters. At that time, Zhen Gou Hëng, a Chinese coach, was in Tirana, who was giving his experience. But in Italy, he did not come!
Let’s go to the return match, how do you remember the atmosphere before that meeting?
It took place in the evening, in a sports hall with a large audience and fans, while we were overcome with emotion. We lost, but we qualified. We had to make 17 plus points, but after the 18th that secured us the pass, there was a decline in the game. But fearing that those of the protocol were Italian judges, coach Vangjel Koja took a break and spoke harshly. We reacted and scored a total of 29 points.
Lose but qualify?
Our game varied, in the combinations, my alterations that I was in shape, with Asllan Rusi in positions 2, 4, together with Enis Terihati, Lulolli, Sharofi, Ali Bushati, Kiço Lena and the organization of the game was in the hands of Tan Panteqi and Kreshnik Tartary. After the match we hugged, because there was no question of big celebrations, even though we had qualified. Our celebrations were known, everything under pressure, not free.
It has been said that in Bologna, you are declared “Honorary Citizen”?
At the banquet organized in the evening, the Mayor of Bologna comes, who read a decree, with which he declared us “Honorary Citizens”. He was a member of the Communist Party and he did it to honor us, who came from a communist country. They also gave us the medal.
There were fears of deportations, so if someone from the team could stay in Italy, seeking political asylum?
The head of the team was Vaskë Afezolli, a very correct person. When we were walking in the city, he saw the boys; he was afraid and often told me that no one should run away. So much so that it attracted the attention of our companion, who asked me, why is your responsibility concerned? Whenever we went abroad, I advised my friends to be reserved, careful. We stayed in groups and separated, we didn’t dare to communicate with strangers, we had orders, “don’t talk to anyone”, and they told us!
What route did you take back to Albania?
We went to Ravenna, where we stayed for 3-4 days, slept and were treated on the “Skënderbeu” ship, trained in the city with the local team. But as they suddenly told us, the contract was broken and the goods were being returned to the ship, and it would be delayed. After that, we were sent to Trieste by train, and with the ship “Dajti”, after a stop in Rijeka, we arrived at the Port of Durrës. It was a calm sea, like a lake, and the captain, a corcar, a friend of Vaska, gave us the opportunity to train in her empty barn.
Let’s talk a little about the match held in The Hague of injustice and “cowboys”?
I remember the second set, when the referee did not allow us to do the 14th point. Then openly in the third, stopping us at the fifth point, without allowing us the 6th and 7th, which gave us the qualification. There was nervousness from us, Ali Keta, the team manager, I reacted harshly to him. Meanwhile, before the meeting, the companion asks Xhela, do you want to see a movie? Yes, we answered, preferably with cowboys. You know what he told us? Before you, there were those of CSKA, big team, small players. When I asked them what they wanted to see, they asked me for pornographic films!.
Another “wind” is blowing for Albanian volleyball…?!
There were meetings, results, representations that gave the signs that a new cycle has started, hopefully for a radical change and a different mentality in our volleyball. Reflected in Dinamo, a harmonious group, in matches, training, together everywhere. Out of all of them, I had the most friendship with Vasil Binga and Tan Panteq. Memorie.al
