Albanian Cup / The first part of the final closes, Guindo striker’s goal is answered by Hoxhaj

Before the match, some supporters of Laçi threw smoke on the field of play, postponing the challenge by a few minutes. It took some time to clean the area from these smokers, where you can see some marks on the carpet of “Air Albania”.

Vllaznia-Laçi 1-0 (Hoxhaj 18 ′ / Guindo 4 ′)

40 ′ – Mazrekaj gives a perfect assist for Guindo from midfield, perfect Zogovic’s intervention.

36 ′ – Latifi tries accuracy with a free kick, but the ball goes slightly over the crossbar.

28 ′ – Ardit Hoxhaj demands another great goal, but this time his coordination is weak.

26 ′ – Dangerous game of Ante Aralica, Juxhin Xhaja punishes him with a yellow card.

18′- Gooool! The challenge in “Air Albania” is equalized. Latifi’s cross from the left of the red and blues’ attack is fantastic, Ardi Hoxhaj’s detachment is also fantastic, who scores with his head in the second pillar, 1-1.

9 ‘- Shkodra claim from 11 meters after Ziko’s intervention against Da Silva, but the main thing continues the game.

4 ′ – Goooool! Less than four minutes were enough for Laçi to unlock the result. Mazrekaj beautifully the ball for Velijan, who follows correctly for Guindon, who does not make mistakes against Zogovic, 0-1.

1 ′ – The final starts with a few minutes delay in “Air Albania”, due to the dumping of pyrotechnic devices.

– The banner of the Kurbin ultras was spicy: “There is no Kukws, nor Vllazni, only Laçi in the north”.

Formations:

Vllaznia: Zogovic, Gurishta, Hakaj, Bulatovic, Adili, Krymi, Heric, Latifi, Da Silva, Aralica. Trainer: Mirel Josa.

Laçi: Dajsinani, Roganovic, Malota, Velkoski, Ziko, Deliu, Shehu, Velija, Adeleke, Mazrekaj, Guindo. Trainer: Shpwtim Duro.

Chief Judge: Juxhin Xhaja.

Assistants: Ilir Tartari, Dojando Myftari.
Fourth Judge: Kreshnik Barjamaj.

VAR: Florian Lata, Nertil Bregasi.

In “Air Albania” is played not only for the trophy of the Albanian Cup, but also to determine the last team that will receive a ticket to the eliminators of European cups, with Vllaznia having its own fate in hand and Kukes waiting the result as an interested spectator.

Shkodra started the season with big claims, however on the way they made many mistakes and now they see themselves playing a very important final, which will determine a lot the claims of next season.

Alban Xhaferri bought the shares of the club together with the debts that had accumulated over the years and has spent a lot during this season, so much so that he often had difficulties in making payments, which he has publicly acknowledged.

Precisely for this reason, Europe is seen as a “lifeboat” in Shkodra, as it would not only bring a trophy to the city, but would also provide significant income, at least several hundred million ALL, depending on the progress in the qualifiers.

In this way, it would be easier for the club leaders to plan the construction of a contending team for the next season, however, before the current team must win the Albanian Cup.

On the other hand, Laçi comes more relaxed, as he has secured for weeks not only the participation in Europe, but also the second place, a historic achievement for the Kurbins, who now see the Cup only as a prestige trophy to add to their palmares.

The Vllaznia-Laçi confrontation becomes interesting also for the fact that it is often seen as a mini-derby of the north, which has given strong emotions constantly, but above all, that both teams are led by two big training names in Albania, Mirel Josa and Shpëtim Duro.

Even more intriguing is the fact that Josa was on the bench of the Kurbins until March, to leave the place to Duros, while for two weeks he has taken the leadership of Vllaznia and will try to give him trophies right in front of the past.