LSC ::: Lerujka Sports Channel

[Lerujka]

February 23, 874
Tenisi Trofe Gapur
Tusjak Open

Quarterfinals

Kamer Dova           3 6 3 4
Vasil Xhepa          6 4 6 6

Lindit Fejzullai     4 6 7 6
Rudin Dova           6 3 6 4

Skerdilaid Fangaj    7 6 6
Tonibler Mujeci      5 4 1

Jakupi Abazaj        7 3 2 6 4
Samet Arapi          6 6 6 2 6


Semifinals

Vasil Xhepa          3 6 4 6 7
Lindit Fejzullai     6 4 6 4 5

Skerdilaid Fangaj    6 7 3 2 6
Samet Arapi          1 6 6 6 4


Final

Vasil Xhepa          7 5 5 4
Skerdilaid Fangaj    5 7 7 6

The opinions were split, already before the final of the tournament got contested. Some acclaimed that it was the start of a new chapter in domestic history, with new stars surfacing in Xhepa and Fangaj, a duo with a combined age of forty-two. Others saw this rather as a bump in the road for the reigning names, as only Mujeci utterly disappointed - it took a long grind and a close fifth set to wave goodbye to Fejzullai and Arapi. With both finalists making their maiden appearance in this stage, it would have to be coincidence, the law of big numbers. I believe both sides in the argument are off in this case, they fail to see the bigger picture. This is no new can of traditional leaders and definitely no fait divers in tournament history. This Tusjak Open marked us closing the book on Lerujkan tennis as we know it.

For decades now, the scene always got its excitement out of clear-cut rivalries, who each after another tell the tale of the sport. The flamboyant Shefget Laska keeping the pragmatic Hermes Lenjani at bay. Fabjo Blaceri using all tricks in the book to halt the rise of Erand Zajmi, who in turn fought intense yet cordial battles against Hyjdhor Rexha. The elegant but fragile Giuliano Merseni seeing his empire cut short by Enkelejd Braho, who added a layer of technique when times went rough. The latest of these duels, these clashes of titans to draw the audiences, would be the one between Lindit Fejzullai, motivated and hungry to make his mark and Tonibler Mujeci, the bohemian whose every move looks so simple. Same tale, different names, a cynic would remark.

Writing Fangaj and Xhepa into this tradition is a sign of laziness. One only needs to cast an eye on 20-year old Skerdilaid Fangaj to note he is little like any of his predecessors. Muscled, he no longer competes in a game but a sport. He is the first to admit that his service is the result of countless hours in the gym, the same place where he got his stamina. No wonder that Samet Arapi muttered that "if he wanted to play a machine, he challenged his ball thrower on training", Fangaj simply returned everything. At 34 and kept off from a record breaking fifth triumph in Tusjak, Arapi has known the halcyon days when training ahead of this opening tournament was considered bad form or even rigging the competition. An eleventh Trofe victory seems further away than ever for the modest gentleman.

Fangaj's opponent Vasil Xhepa represents a different, albeit potentially equally important side of the rise to professionalism. In four years in the circuit, Xhepa never progressed beyond the quarterfinals despite showing glimpses of potential. Over the winter, he switched coaches and now approaches it with more seriousness, Xhepa explained. "We focus on those elements in my skillset where minimal progress allows maximal results. And we take our time to analyse the upcoming opposition." A tried and tested approach in sports but a novel concept in our tennis scene.

What makes this tournament a watershed is not the result from one or another, but the knowledge that far more players can be found where they are coming from: the qualifiers and opening rounds were filled to the brim with youngsters who looked more athletic than any of the former big names. And who were joined courtside by a whole team of trainers, physios and other assistants.

Does that spell the end of the (short) reign from Fejzullai and Mujeci? Both will have to adapt to the new standards or will sooner rather than later sink through the ranks. We give the advantage to Lindit Fejzullai who already represented a first step to more professionalism. A slow starter, he has been aware of the importance to continue his personal development as evidenced by his successful conversion from a clay specialist into an allrounder. Fact is that a happy-go-lucky approach, as talented as you are, will still win you a few games, but no longer the Open.

All in all, this will result in a wider, closer top of the food chain, resulting in narrow and long duels. A new style, but an improvement to the level even if less sophisticated at times. The second set of the final, a fierce and powerful fight over every point showed the beauty - the last set with Fangaj cementing an early lead with predictable yet effective service games demonstrates the flipside. However, we - and the old generation - better get used to it.

[Lerujka]

March 2, 874
Ligë Basketbolli
Matchday 10

Selber Senators     60–75     Tusjak Capitals

Vosjan Eagles       60–77  Skrovoda Lightning

Fishkopi Bluejays   58–74        Pjer Rockets

Vosjan Bears        66–63        Obosan Hoops

Lurore Lions        60–67     Terponat Titans

Erkani Bulldogs     59–74     Zagjan Blasters

Everybody likes the Hoops. Less than their own team, which had a proper chance of success and some truly strong players in their ranks, of course. But still. They are a bit like the smallest nephew of the family, the one with the dorky glasses and slight overweight. You can take him on at any time, so that is great and if he tries to stand up against someone else, it's great fun. He'll probably get his asses handed to himself but in that rare case he makes it, you're happy for him. The next turn you beat him anyway.

So obviously, the whole nation bar one city was rooting for them when they lead 46-51 after three quarters, even if it did not make any sense. Against the Bears of all teams. Some statistician had unearthed that after 32 duels across all those years, home and away, the balance was rather lopsided: 31-1 for the favourite. Of course it was! The Bears are nothing less than the eternal powerhouse in domestic basketball with a selection filled to the brim with talent, experience and technique.

If anything is filled to the brim in Obosan, you can pick between the basket of wasted potential, the can of unresolved injuries and the bathtub of mediocre elements. Years on a shoestring budget turned the Hoops into the ultimate last stop for the train into retirement or the amateur leagues. Most of those who stepped off had a ticket to go further but decided not to tell that to the conductor. One described them as 'that trough in the last aisle of the shop - everything off 50% but you still don't get good value'.

It sounded demeaning but… Let's just glance at the five on the court, an excellent sample card for a classic Obosan Hoops line-up. Renat Koçi reached the fine age of 37 and the guard had spent most of his time in the last five years dropping from a more reputed bench to a weaker one - the Titans became the Eagles, the Eagles became the Bulldogs and his sheer determination to stretch his career had landed him in Obosan. Point guard Redjon Katjazi used to be a chipper talent but in three years with the Hoops, he amassed only sixteen games in between revalidations. The massive bandage around his calve had to be annoying when he tried to link up with Kreshnik Shurdi. The tall playmaker started with the Lightning until he got condemned for handling electronics which had 'fallen off some truck'. His remarkable face tattoo, a reminder of six months in the joint, matched nicely with the sleeves of modern hippie Blerim Pepaj. The centre often disappeared off the surface of the earth, missing training, to take some time to reconnect on long hikes. And last but not least, there was Anton Xhelati, a clumsy player who seemed to be the umpteenth of a list of ballers which they had lifted out of the amateur league, only to return there 12 or 24 months later.


You could call it a ragtag bunch, for sure, but barely a professional basketball team.

So the coach of the Bears was fuming, their home fans whining and even the stars came across frustrated. Everyone else in Lerujka dreamed of a repeat of two weeks prior when they pulled a monumental stunt against the Capitals. Obviously, the focus had been on the abysmal game from the latter, so only those in the know noted that this was more than the leader on a horrible offday. Shurdhi dominated with the flair of his heydays and below the surface, Pepaj simply deserves his spot at this level. In a way, these Hoops were less Hoopsy than ever: the nephew has shook off his braces and possesses a mean left hook all of a sudden.

In a made-up world, the story would be easy. Against all odds, the plucky Obosan hold the line and can celebrate the most outlandish yet deserved win of the competition. Maybe the coach gets lifted on the shoulders? There are some superslomo images, maybe a voiceover that explains how each of these players got a purposeful next chapter. [i]Shurdhi went on to win 2 MVP titles. Katjazi led Obosan out for nine more years. Koçi became a defining coach.[/] Stuff like that.

However, in this world, the Bears pressed until mistakes were made and the scales tilted in the advantage of the favourite.

32-1. Maybe next time.

[Lerujka]

March 9, 874
Trofe Distancë Gjatë
Kondrat Tshallans

.1 Lundrum Daci             27:45.56
 2 Yllkuq Zajmi             27:57.27
 3 Vilfor Hysi              28:03.33
 4 Mikel Shkurtaj           28:05.76
 5 Kleto Loshi              28:16.61
 6 Rrezag Sokoli            28:17.10
 7 Drilon Pasha             28:17.48
 8 Erblin Ahmetaj           28:25.77
 9 Ilion Hysi               28:41.34
10 Egert Kraja              28:42.86

The air reflects the blue of a spotless mountain lake as the sun only starts his slow ascent to its zenith. Nonetheless, two sounds already rip apart the fragile morning silence. One is the monotone drone of modern shoes against ancient concrete. Once, these long stretches that seem like horizontally challenged stairs must have been novel and fresh. Now they are colonized by small plants and ditto animals, with the gekkos sunbathing themselves in the first warmth. The second is far more subtle, a soft drip, drip, drip.

The source is a tall man, with long arms plugged into a small body, giving him an ant-like appearance. To be more exact, it is the sweat coming off his sharp and pronounced chin, having made a slow way from underneath a fluorescent hairband. It is the only thing that is slow about this man.

He started at half past five, when only a few cocks were awake in Koderzi, one of those places that makes the word 'town' sound like an exaggeration. A handful of houses bundled up with a shack here and there. It is a forgotten piece of the earth yet the dearest one for him, at the same time. He left it, inevitable if you want a window on the world, but he always came back. In the past by the sole bus a day that drives across the miniscule chapel that doubles as the city square; these days with a nifty Skifter C7, a status symbol of the Lerujkan car industry.

Mostly, he leaves it on foot - even if his running style is lauded for barely touching the ground. Extremely lightweight, he floats over the gravel roads of the region. They are, more often than not, poorly maintained but that does not bother him. In these regions he can run blind.

It would be madness to count the amount of times he ran across this dried creek, once the pivotal stream for the local agriculture, now a scar in an arid landscape which only doubles as a sewer system in case of a storm. There are thistles on the side of the path and the kind of grasses that slice your palm open like a razorblade. With Koderzi coming closer again after two hours, the man speeds up one more time.

To his left, the houses with their worn-out doors and shabby backyards appear, located on a height in the landscape. As he takes a sharp left, the runner tackles the final stretch of four hundred metres. In long steps, it goes up all the way to that chapel, with its brick foundations and yellow Maria. He paces up, ignoring the weary street dog at the side, the clappering of a shutter in the distance, the soft rattle of the mailman approaching the sleepy town and its ditto inhabitants.

It is not until the last few steps that an additional sound comes to the forefront, a heaving and groaning breath which stops when he hits the side of the chapel with an outstretched arm. The gesture is merely symbolic as he still has to click at the wristwatch which seems too modern to fit in this environment.

He checks the time and smiles. It doesn't matter when he will leave behind Shkurtaj, Ahmetaj and other Hysi's. It is just a matter of time now and that is running in his favor.

It's the fifth of March. The Kondrat Tshallans is still four days away, analysts are drafting lists with candidates and outsiders. But Lundrum Daci already knows that he, and no one else, will win this edition.

[Lerujka]

March 9, 874
Ligë Basketbolli
Matchday 11

Zagjan Blasters     74–77     Selber Senators
Terponat Titans     75–73     Erkani Bulldogs
Obosan Hoops        70–81        Lurore Lions
Pjer Rockets        69–88        Vosjan Bears
Skrovoda Lightning 103–74   Fishkopi Bluejays
Tusjak Capitals     57–71       Vosjan Eagles

Ligë Basketbolli         Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
 1 Vosjan Bears           11   10   1   889  777 +112    10
 2 Skrovoda Lightning     11    8   3   900  764 +136     8
 3 Selber Senators        11    8   3   870  778  +92     8
 4 Tusjak Capitals        11    7   4   871  779  +92     7
 5 Pjer Rockets           11    7   4   851  821  +30     7
 6 Vosjan Eagles          11    6   5   831  818  +13     6
 7 Erkani Bulldogs        11    5   6   847  860  −13     5
 8 Zagjan Blasters        11    4   7   818  842  −24     4
 9 Fishkopi Bluejays      11    4   7   794  911 −117     4
10 Terponat Titans        11    3   8   793  837  −44     3
11 Lurore Lions           11    3   8   708  853 −145     3
12 Obosan Hoops           11    1  10   749  881 −132     1

“Well played,” he said. And he meant it.

Gjorgji Proto swore under his breath as the two columns of players high-fived after what had been a tense yet fair game. Time and time again, he had dragged his side back into it, but the Senators kept their slim lead all the way till the final buzzer. Another thirty-two points, another evening with nothing to show for it. He always claimed he didn’t mind and as the fans chanted his name, he truly hoped he didn’t. But he did.

He hated to admit it to himself as it felt nearly ungrateful. Being a Blasters’ fans these days apparently meant a loyalty to him and his performances. After all, he was a child of the neighbourhood who had signed his first contract on his eighteenth birthday, became a regular starter a year after and now could rightly be considered as the posterboy for the team. If you entered Zagjan through the highway, a ridiculously large poster of him invited visitors to the Zebu Arena - Gjorgji doubted that it really worked. Yet, it was a nice way to put him in the spotlights.

Usually, he would contemplate where it went wrong after a close call like this one but being halfway down the season, it was glaringly clear what kept them stuck in the middle of the pack. The starting five was a decent combination of grizzled veterans and promising talents, but the bench was not much to sniff at. As such, the game earned itself a layer of sadness in its repetitiveness: the Blasters closed in on the Senators, the manager had to bench some guys for fatigue and Selber seized the moment to open up the gap again. Losing didn’t bother Proto in particular, it’s something you learn when playing for Zagjan. But the nature of it didn’t help his mood.

As he walked to the touchline, Eron Pettih nodded to him in approval. With his suit, combed over grey hairs and shiny shoes, he possessed the perfect image to manage a team known as the Senators. As spotless as his appearance was his knowledge of the game: nearing the age of sixty, Pettih became a landmark in his guild and a much appreciated analyst, slightly dry but always on point.

They knew one another. Of course, you would say, the Lerujkan basketball world is at the small side. But Pettih knew him first.

The first time he had called and proposed to join Selber, Gjorgji had only been seventeen. It had felt a bit as a prank call and the decision eventually had been his fathers, “you stay play here around the corner and we’ll see if you can make a good enough buck out of it”. And every year, on the first day of the transfer season, Eron Pettih would pick up the phone and reach out to Gjorgji. Although the numbers changed, obviously, as his stature grew, the gist of the proposal remained the same. Join the Senators and be part of a core of players that could aim for titles.

At first, it had been ridiculous. Why on earth would he leave Zagjan? If he held this level for a few more years, he could easily get himself voted the most important player in club history. The board knew his impact and did, even if the means were limited, their utmost best to reward him accordingly. He knew everyone on the club, from the office staff to the janitor and all adored him. And yet, every year, the conversation between Pettih and Proto had been longer. After a while, he didn’t sleep of it and this summer, it had haunted him for two weeks. Yet, the final conclusion remained the same.

“Well played,” Pettih smiled.
“Thanks,” Proto replied, knowing this hadn’t been one of these obligatory stopgaps.
“We’ll hear one another again, I’m sure.”

Proto hesitated a second. This had been the end of every of their conversations. Yet, it was the first time that Proto replied with

“I’m looking forth to it.”

Nothing was set on paper, no vows were swore, no word had even been spoken. But at that moment, Eron Pettih knew that next year, it could be their turn to break the glass ceiling.

[Lerujka]

March 16, 874
Mundja Slam
Tournament Bellsh

Quarterfinals

Dod Tare             wins vs Xhevahir Aliu
Dritbardh Shefeti    wins vs Qazim Bushati
Saimir Qyqja         wins vs Gjelosh Radoja
Arif Curri           wins vs Myzafer Kiri

Semifinals

Dod Tare             wins vs Dritbardh Shefeti
Arif Curri           wins vs Saimir Qyqja

Final

Arif Curri           wins vs Dod Tare

“You sure you going to do that?”

Arif slowly looks up, his lighter still in hand. Goddamned, just when he thought he had found a quiet back road where people would leave him alone. Or just, would not recognise him. But somehow, it seemed as if this town contained only wrestling addicts with enough time to spare to loiter around in alleys.

“Oi, none of your business, right?”

As a tall, bulky guy, Arif had discovered that a good bark could get him out of most situations but for some reason, these two knuckleheads were having none of that.

“You’ve got a Mundja coming up tomorrow and you’re smoking, Jezus Christ… No wondering you’re shit half the time.”

Yes, there was a tournament coming up and to be fully frank, he had gone through the first one already but Arif felt no need to apologize. Of course, smoking isn’t healthy. But so is fasting and subsequently loading carbs. Or wrestling, if you think about it properly. It relaxed him in times of anxiety and it wasn’t as if he was lighting one pack with the previous one. Just a few before bed time, to take the edge off.

There had been a time when the words would have cut deeper but by now, he mentally shrugged over remarks like that one. Arif knew what he could if he felt like it on the day. In the pack of athletes, few could say that they had a Mundja Slam trophy on their mantle and he was one of them. Ok, ok, his next tournament lasted exactly forty-five second but hey, sometimes it’s just not your day.

“I mean it guy, if you were just half the character of Dod Tare…”

Somehow, this got a lot more on Arifs nerves. Dod Tare. Dod f’ing Tare. The kid was talented - you didn’t need experience in the sport to see that - but owned the entertainment factor of an open fridge. Amongst the others, the joke went that he was raised by monks who only let him eat and wrestle in solemn silence. He rightly was seen as a freak of nature, not just by his arm strength but also in the mental aspect, Arif felt.

That everyone claimed that he was the lighting example annoyed him exceptionally. Lots of skill but the character of an unprinted page. And yes, maybe he got that little extra ticked off over everyone considering Curri’s Tomoçan Trophy as a lucky strike. Tare and Shefeti fought an exceptional semifinal which lasted an hour and the winner, Shefeti, had been exhausted for the final bout. It made far more headlines than the maiden victory from Curri.

“But yeah… You’ll never be.”

They turned around and walked away, smirking to one another. Something made a short circuit in Arifs head - he didn’t even know what.

Fact was that the next clear moment was him, pinning the shortest of the two against a wall and giving him the hairdryer treatment.

“HE’S A BORING PIECE OF SHIT AND I’LL WRECK HIM LIKE I’M GONNA FUCK YOU UP RIGHT NOW!”

Not a big mouth now anymore, huh, Arif shortly grinned inside until his eyes locked with the guy. The kid, actually. He had acne around his nose and the way his voice twitched in his reply made clear that he couldn’t be older than fifteen. If he hadn't yet, he was about to wet his pants.

“I’m, I’m sorry,” he sobbed, “I didn’t mean to. I just…”

The crunching in his brain died down and with a sigh, Arif released him. Within seconds, the youngster got out of sight, the air still vibrant with his cold sweat. He felt his hand was shaking and searched his pocket for his lighter. These goddamn punks and their…

Arif reached for the cigarette, placed it on his bottom lip and suddenly halted. The lighter floated in mid air for a brief second, but he didn’t push.

“Oh for f’s sake,” he swore under his breath as he tossed the smoke away, “this better be worth it.”

[Lerujka]

March 16, 874
Ligë Basketbolli
Matchday 12

Selber Senators    101–77       Vosjan Eagles
Tusjak Capitals     86–82   Fishkopi Bluejays
Skrovoda Lightning  85–79        Vosjan Bears
Pjer Rockets        83–56        Lurore Lions
Obosan Hoops        72–79     Erkani Bulldogs
Terponat Titans    116–84     Zagjan Blasters

I knew it would result in mayhem before the wet sound of a sweaty body hitting the court.

The reception had been hostile. And not your usual middle of the road between camaraderie and heckling, no, it had been sharp, mean and nasty. And it had its ground in the little things. The announcer decidedly and flatly calling us ‘Vosjan’ without mentioning the Bears. The audience pelting our half during warm-up with wads made out of some flyers which had been distributed at the entrance. Even the dressing room felt unnaturally chilly. For some reason, the Lightning had made up their mind and called themselves the big challenger for the title and apparently, all means were good for that.

To say that the result was a vicious confrontation would be an understatement. The Skrovoda players clearly were given the nod to brush with the borders of the rulebook and the officials lacked the backbone to stand up against it. So yes, at a certain time we decided to pay them back in the same currency. Upon noticing that, the audience joined in, obviously taking the side of their team and things became more brutal. During a particularly rough duel, Irindi Stafa got catapulted into the stands where he received a knock from a ‘supporter’. Yet, the referee let the game continue with as much as a free throw and a warning.

Worst of all, they got in front.

The continuous provocations slowly started to get to our rhythm. Shorty Afrim Mula got bullied out of the game with the sort of defending that reminded one of football corner kicks and youngster Memini clearly hadn’t been in a pub brawl before. Even Gava, with whom I’ve shared the dressing room for nearly a decade now, struggled to rise above the meddling and shoving. After the opener, we had posted a remarkable ten-game series of victories, fueled by high-paced passing and clever rhythm changes. But the Skrovoda players kept on breathing down our necks, putting in fastbreak after fastbreak.

Some might say that I lost it - that’s a blatant lie. If anything, I was keeping the team together and in the game.

Others will claim I had been frustrated all game long. That’s… Well, that’s closer to the truth. Because all my toiling resulted in nothing and I could already see the headlines.

Pundits had monikered this one as the confrontation between me and Alsid Januzi. A bit strange, as I consider us as two very different players, both in style, efficiency and result. There’s no grudge but Januzi is… He’s not dedicated. Don’t get me wrong, there is talent, tons of it, and he’s not lazy but he’s not a leader. Being a ball player is not just about spectacle and passing behind your back, it’s about standing up and doing what’s right.

All around, his teammates were taking easy shots at my guys, the atmosphere turned grim and at the end of the third quarter, I felt it was time for a gesture. A compromise, if you want, before pots would boil over.

“Alsid, this is getting out of hand. Tell your guys to turn it down a notch and I’ll make sure we…”
“What’s it, mate? Getting pissy over a three-point deficit?”

He said it with a sheepish grin before walking off, ‘hey, dudes, you’re never gonna believe what that old Dermaku just said’. There’s not an ounce of class in his body.

So yes, I was frustrated. I was annoyed. I got a, frankly disappointing, pass from Rezart Bendo on my own half and again, one of the Skrovoda guys was breathing down my neck like a bulldog on a chewing toy. Should I have turned with my elbows out? Maybe not.

Probably not, in hindsight, but that’s easy. There was a second or two of complete silence when Alsid Januzi hit the ground but the complete madness around us had already flashed before my eyes. The fans were raging, the referee whistled like he got a spot on the philharmonic, the title race was back open and I knew that whenever, whoever, would discuss my career, they would always speak about an era before and after The Elbow^TM.

[Lerujka]

March 20, 874
IFCF 3
Extra Preliminary Round Home

Champions’ League

     Aleance Tusjak 2-1 Simina SK (TMG)

Challengers’ Cup

    Dinamo Skrovoda 2-1 Ponyville United (EQS)

Liga B Champions Trophy

  Spartaku Terponat 0-2 CVD Speelvelden Wiclyf (TSA)

”It’s a day for the history books tonight as every seat is filled in the Stadiumi Shelgje whilst the twenty-two players walk out… Or gallop, if you want. The Kategorija Pro is still far away, Spartaku kicks off at eight to welcome a Sariani opponent and Aleance meets Simina SK half an hour later but by then, this confrontation will have made its mark on our collective football story. The black and red flags are waving as the stands are supporting the David in this confrontation. Goliath is clad in purple and comes off a strong season with a Cup triumph and an international group phase. Can the eleven debuting tonight overturn the odds?”

…

“A conservative approach by Visar Basha and it shows off, a robust block in front of Din Kolaj but it doesn’t do the attackers much service. Rrezargjen Kalaja is operating on an island in attack and gets snubbed every time again by Arctic Lily, whilst newcomer Latimer Zahra is also struggling to find his pace. The Lodger is the very first international player to appear for a Lerujkan side, that’s quite a landmark for the eighteen-year old.”

…

“Another corner for Ponyville, swung in and… A fist from Kolaj! To Bazjon Myrto, there might be opportunities here as United is out of its organisation. To the left, a bit too wide but Latimer Zahra recovers it and suddenly it’s two against two! Zahra pushes it into space and oh! Oh! What a shot! What a brilliant shot by Rrezargjen Kalaja! From the edge of the box, just unstoppable! It’s the first time Dinamo challenges the goalkeeper but they’re in the lead, brilliant interaction between the pair of strikers.”

…

“This is becoming a frustrating affair for Ponyville with the middle of the pitch being overcrowded by three central defenders and two defensive midfielders - and Basha asked them to take no prisoners. Ough! That’s a rowdy tackle by Shkurti, the United players protest but the referee is having none of it and waves them off.”

…

“They’ve withstood the pressure for seventy minutes now and this starts to look as if a stunt is possible. For the last few minutes, Skrovoda even starts to organise themselves a bit better, passing it around and ouh! Shkurti has been distributing already during this game, but that was a vicious tackle from… Oh, it’s a fast free kick, still chaos with Ponyville, to Zahra. Zahra! Zahraaaaa! He curls it in the top corner from twenty yards out, incredible stuff! What a dreamstart for the young striker with his new team.”

…

“Another corner for Ponyville, number sixteen already in this match. Din Kolaj trying to organise it in the box, quite difficult after the red card for Bekim Meka, the power of the Equestrians really starts to take its toll on the stamina of Dinamo. Can they force a second goal, an equaliser with the clock running down? It’s in the pack, a shot, no! Not in! But then, oh! Sunlight pushes it over the line but the Skrovoda defenders are fuming! Is this offside? The linesman hesitates but now he lifts the flag, 2-1 and the referee immediately calls it a day. What a performance from Dinamo, tactically astute with a lot of grinta, a lot of determination to drag the result across the line. Visar Basha must be pleased with this performance, not in the least from his new striker partnership Kalaja - Zahra.”

[Lerujka]

March 23, 874
Natën Doreza Arta
NDA 87

Heavyweight    LBB    Gjon Shahu           wins vs    Enco Godaj             (TKO Round 8 )

Welter         LBB    Afrim Puka           loses vs   Kostadi Batha          (Unanimous jury)

Light          LBB    Juljan Koldashi      wins vs    Saimir Prenga          (KO Round 5)

In all fairness, it was not a matter of if, but when Saimir Prenga would hit the canvas. The challenger had tried hard to appear rugged and worthy, but had to take it on the chin time and time again. There was no stopping Juljan Koldashi and the local audience of Gredi admired it. Bit by bit, ‘Captain Punch’ would dismantle his opposition. No need for big words of unnecessary gestures to humiliate his opposition, just a professional and thorough annihilation of the man in front of him. When Prenga finally succumbed and kneeled, Koldashi walked across the ring with dignity and pointed his fist to the darkened end of the tunnel. The lights guy appeared quick witted and turned the spot towards it, revealing a cheering Gjon Shahu, his left eye swollen and his cheek looking demolished, but his hands raised in triumph and the Union belt around his waist reflected the spotlights in a golden glow.

Thirteen years ago, Gjon Shahu first walked into the garage box of Egon Rregasj, a dump that doubled as the training facility of the Gredi boxing club. Shahu came in, not because he was feeling like it, but because a youth judge had given him the kind of choice without options - either he would be shipped off to juvie or he would attend school and find some sort of structured way of dealing with his frustrations. It wasn’t the first kid who had gone through the hands of Rregasj and wouldn’t be the last. Some turned out to become loving and caring house fathers, others were in a place where only the biweekly visit from Egon kept the timing on the rut. Shahu got paired up with Juljan Koldashi, a kid his age but with fifteen pounds less. It felt like an insult, he knew well enough what he could do with his fists and they aligned him with some scrawny pimpleface. Three rounds later, three rounds of Koldashi sweeping the floor with him, they were friends.

It was exactly that capacity to punch far above his weight, to trick an opponent into unfounded aspirations before bringing them down punch by punch, which transformed Juljan Koldashi into the Lerujkan sports icon he is today. His record in the NDA, with sixteen losses and a single, disputed, defeat is unseen and unmatched. There is no doubt that he can extend his reign much further, knowing that aspiring boxers try to avoid the lightweight division knowing that Koldashi will keep them in the background. Moreover, he became the face of a certain style, a certain class if you want. Koldashi wins, knows his strength but never claims his throne with words.

Life has been rougher for Gjon Shahu. Even if boxing allowed him to make a sharp turn on his path towards petty crimes and street violence, there wasn’t a strong family entourage which bolstered and supported him. At nineteen, Shahu married and became a young father but the relationship wasn’t to last. The power of his shoulders and muscles make him a dangerous tank in the ring, but the robust outlook is fragile under the hood - injuries plagued him, kept him from a steady rise through the ranks and allowed the shadows in his head to roar their heads. At twenty-six, his scroll of honour contained two divorces, a growing amount of debts and a scratched license over some pub squabble.

It’s easy saying to claim that Juljan Koldashi picked Shahu up from the floor, pushed him back to that depleted garage box in Gredi and forced him back on his feet - but that’s the story Gjon Shahu will tell anyone who wants to hear it. The road had dented him, of course, but not broken his potential. When he appeared on an NDA bill a year after, there were doubts and misunderstandings. Why Shahu, weren’t there others who hadn’t spoiled their chance yet? Cause he was a little friend of Koldashi?

Gjon Shahu answered with his fists. And confirmed. And confirmed.

In his next bout, he will take on Rron Pali to become the overall heavyweight champion - possibly the most prestigious of boxing titles.

[Lerujka]

March 23, 874
Ligë Basketbolli
Matchday 13

Terponat Titans    92–84    Selber Senators
Zagjan Blasters    61–54       Obosan Hoops
Erkani Bulldogs    88–62       Pjer Rockets
Lurore Lions       69–73 Skrovoda Lightning
Vosjan Bears       80–71    Tusjak Capitals
Fishkopi Bluejays  73–93      Vosjan Eagles

Current title odds according to the bookmakers.

Vosjan Bears - 5/3

The Bears straighten their back with a hard-fought home victory against Tusjak, prolonging a streak of nine consecutive wins against the side from the capital. Nonetheless, they never had an easy moment throughout the evening with and since The Elbow, the aura around their play from the opening half of the season seems to have bleakened. Endri Dermaku stays on the bench longer and longer, struggling to let his body live up to the expectations to turn a group into a team. With him on the court, they look every inch a title side but without him, the glaring holes in between the talent are too obvious to ignore. That their title ambitions could hinge on the physique of a 34-year old is a worrying knowledge for the leader.


Skrovoda Lightning - 7/2

It is rare to see a side mark up a win yet see their title odds take a small drop. The Lightning set a step back from the previous 10/3 odds as the holder could not show the prowess from the clash with the Bears against a formation from the tailend of the table. The Lions suffer an abysmal season, the result of years of disinvestment and a dried up lifeline in their youth formation, yet managed to keep the Lightning fans glued to their seats until the final minute. A game like this underlines why punters are shying away from the Skrovoda, you never know which face they will show. Will Januzi put a power surge through the ranks, ensuring creativity and wit? Or will they lack the hunger to tackle each match with the same spirit, as each game is equally important for the rankings?


Selber Senators - 9/1

Suddenly, a race between three horses becomes a direct duel as the Senators drop the batton just when they’ve bridged across to the top - it seems like the only consistency they’ve shown in the last few years. Eron Pettih has a nose for unearthing and recruiting talent as many will quote players such as Aurel Jashari, Valon Demiri, Arbënor Kruja or Redi Ribaj amongst the cream of the crop in this league. Yet, there is a difference between strong, reliable players and defining players and it looks as if the lack of one of those stands between the Senators and a deep title run. The question is whether one of those present will step up or Pettih will have to look across potential prospects in the league for Selber to make that difference.


Tusjak Capitals - 21/1

Endri Karabeci will wholeheartedly disagree with this quotation but it takes a risk taker or an avid Tusjak fan to put his savings on the Capitals’ shot for glory. The defeat in Vosjan is the fifth already this season and only a perfect run all the way to the final can put them back into contention. Even if Mar Ehupi plays consistently and Kalaz Salberu approaches his best moments at the Titans, there are too many holes in the selection. Especially the position of center is, after the ACL injury from Tekla, a moot point in the line-up.


Pjer Rockets - 51/1

There are only two reasonable arguments to break for this case and the best one of them is that it is mathematically not impossible. The second one is that everybody loves a Cinderella story and the Rockets returning to the limelight after a decade in the shadows definitely would constitute one of those. Thriving on some good youngsters such as Driton Simani and Rrezag Mema, the Rockets managed a good series but against more valid opponents, they were measured and considered too light.

[Lerujka]

March 27, 874
IFCF 3
Extra Preliminary Round Away

Champions’ League

             Simina TK (TMG) 2-1 Aleance Tusjak         (3-1 pen)

Challengers’ Cup

      Ponyville United (EQS) 3-1 Dinamo Skrovoda

Liga B Champions Trophy

CVD Speelvelden Wiclyf (TSA) 2-0 Spartaku Terponat

Ersil Domgjoni loves practically everything about being a football coach. He thoroughly enjoys developing tactical schemes and drilling them through a series of elaborate training sessions. He reaps satisfaction out of taking a youngster by the hand and showing them the ropes. If Ersil can learn an old fox some new tricks, that’s amazing, when he turns a bunch of players into a group, it feels like magic.

Moreover - and those would not necessarily be his own words - Ersil Domgjoni is pretty damn good at it. There is a reason why during a three-year period at the helm of Aleance Tusjak, he currently has two titles in the trophy board despite the fine age of 49. During his first professional job, he managed to pick the smaller city rival KF Tusjak up from the ground with a treasury filled with debts and a players group consisting solely of youngsters and wayward veterans. Three seasons later, promotion to the highest tier got celebrated and Domgjoni got snapped up by Aleance, a club with the pedigree and organisation to cement its position of top dog in Lerujkan football for the next decade.

In short, professionally, Ersil Domgjoni has it all worked out. Yet, he utterly hated this moment.

…

Thirty-thousand Simina fans had stood as one behind their team on this wet, dreary but atmospheric evening in Tamgu. Despite the pressure, our squad managed to remain unphased and produced their brand of football - over the ground with a lot of movement banking on the tenacity of a few defensive-minded players. It worked like a charm and even Ersil would have to admit that when Arbën Noka knocked in the opener, a characteristic tap-in for which only he could find the right spot, his mind drifted to the second round and the potential opponent from Sankt Konrad. And then, bit by bit, everything fell apart.

The rain became a shower and by the final quarter a biblical downpour. The nimble yet elegant midfield duo, a brand-new partnership between Viktor Hoshallari and Ryan Flowers, a newcomer from Nova Anglicana, slowly drowned in the centre circle swamp. The two mixed remarkably well but neither reached over one metre seventy and that started to show off. The home team smelled blood and got themselves back into the game, duel by duel and eventually, goal by goal. Yes, Aleance Tusjak managed to scrawl their way across the extra time but only at the cost of a red card for Mujeci and due to a couple of monumental saves from Myrto Telai, who looked like a mudmonster after the final whistle. Three-three overall and…

“So, coach, got five names?”

Captain Enkelan Shiba, a defender who didn’t take no prisoners, tried to remove some dirt from his eyes with his sleeve as he mumbled these words. He looked knackered and so did the others who trooped around their gaffer. Ersil didn’t mind calling a team - he usually had a good plan and explanation for every choice then. But who on earth had a decent setup for a penalty shootout?

Usually striker Kalaja took them, but he had been subbed off earlier to salvage the red-card-shaped hole in the back. Noka then? He’s quite cold-blooded… And… Shiba. The tall man felt as little for it as the next one, but those were the ‘perks’ of the captain ribbon. Three more, pff. Hoshallari and Flowers somehow still had been on the pitch but both looked close to collapsing. Ardit Veizi, then, had been subbed on most recently. Ersil couldn’t remember him missing one on the training field and tried to ignore the creeping sense he couldn’t remember Ardit taking one. What options are left? He tried to look them in the eye and Lindon Muci drew the short straw when their eyes crossed, that’s four down, one to go.

“Someone volunteering?” Domgjoni admitted his own desperation.
“Sir?” resounded from the back. Ersil could tell out the voice from Myrto Telai, remarkably squeaky for a broad shouldered goalie. To avoid him getting time to get back on his steps, he quickly jotted down the last name on the page and sent his assistant to the referee.

“Thanks for stepping up, Myrto,” Ersil spoke as he put an arm around his shoulder.
“Stepping up? I… Sorry, I missed the team moment, it’s just, there’s a hole in my gloves and I can’t find my spare ones, I’m so sorry.”

Simina TK won the penalty series, three to one.
All Aleance Tusjak players missed.
Apart from Telai.

[Lerujka]

March 30, 874
Ligë Basketbolli
Matchday 14

Selber Senators     77–59  Fishkopi Bluejays
Vosjan Eagles       63–66       Vosjan Bears
Tusjak Capitals     99–67       Lurore Lions
Skrovoda Lightning  90–70    Erkani Bulldogs
Pjer Rockets        66–74    Zagjan Blasters
Obosan Hoops        91–83    Terponat Titans

The future is now, it seems, as the rule insisting on at least three players under the age of twenty-three on the page pays off more and more. This season has been the fourth with this ‘Development Rule’ and numerous sides have turned the requirement into an advantage, banking on their youngsters to take the next step. Two of our editors try their hand in setting up a starting five of U23 ballers who have the potential to become the defining players of the next era.

The selection from Enver Djimsiti

Rezart Bendo (Vosjan Bears - 20) - the newest one to roll off the conveyor belt which caters for Vosjani talents as this one seems to be a finished product already. Bendo combines technical mastership with an exceptional maturity and stands his ground for the title favourite. In a selection with talent in abundance, yet sometimes missing in leadership when Dermaku is off the court, Bendo tries his best to glue the team together. It shows the potential to, one day, step into the footsteps of the big man himself if he keeps on learning.

Arbënor Kruja (Selber Senators - 22) - it is easy to forget that, despite stepping into his fourth year as a professional, Arbënor Kruja still qualifies for a U23 selection. The guard became across these years a vital puzzle piece in the tactical scheme from Eron Pettih and it’s no secret that the veteran coach has a soft spot for his hard-working gem. Many tip the Senators to make that next step up and rival for the title sooner rather than later. When they do so, it will be with Kruja as one of the cornerstones.

Karaj Huqi (Terponat Titans - 20) - tactical flexibility and an impeccable shot, Karaj Huqi can count on a few interesting cards on his hand to make himself a modern playmaker. Unfortunately, he is not aided by a Titans selection at the bottom of the curve which does expose his weaknesses: focus and the tenacity to tilt the balance when his side once more manages to spoil an advantage. Yet, we’ve seen more than glimpses of his potential which could exceed the one from all those listed, if the stars align.

Halim Aliaj (Tusjak Capitals - 18) - the youngest quoted and the one who has played the least minutes. Aliaj is not yet a starter but only the fact that Endri Karabeci bothered to include him in his squad tells you all you need to know. Mr. Uranium is notably slow to bring his talents, yet Aliaj is racking up interesting numbers when he makes the parquet. Especially his shot percentage made heads turn so far, but he combines it with a creativity which troubles defenders up to twice his age. One of whom we’ll see more every fleeting year.

Pal Spahiu (Fishkopi Bluejays - 21) - the Bluejays once again manage to target the trophy of greyest season, so it would be easy to overlook the steps forward Pal Spahiu took with them across the summer. Usually set aside as too static, he begins to use his exceptional size as an advantage, dominating under the ring and picking up these rebounds. In terms of stamina, there is still work to do but considering the fact he remains relatively new to the sport, the room for progress is still there. Can grow into a beast, and do so in silence.


The selection from Besnik Nako

Selim Memini (Vosjan Bears - 22) - it seemed as if everyone who could afford it tried to acquire Selim Memini over the autumn window but it is no surprise that the Bears had what it takes to make him join the ranks. They’ve put up the cash and haven’t looked back as after two or three difficult games, Memini slotted himself into the starting five and became used to the rhythm of play from the Bears. If he wants to evolve from a valuable player into an MVP, he will have to improve on his impact on the game, but he first and foremost is a player who always makes the right decisions.

Rrezag Mema (Pjer Rockets - 21) - symbol of the positive evolution for the Rockets in the last few years, Mema leads the way for a string of young, homegrown basketballers who make good minutes and should form a core to build on for years. Amongst them, Rrezag Mema stands out in his natural presence. At times, he is the one dictating the pace and it not only feels as if the whole dressing room agrees on that but also that this is the best for the Rockets. Maybe a little too short for the absolute top level, but a club icon in the making.

Gencian Subashi (Zagjan Blasters - 21) - some players are born with star quality, others make a merit from their consistency. Subashi never suffers from a poor day, never needs to use his age as an excuse cart. There is a level headedness off and on the court which combines with a lot of precision when in possession. Routinely amongst the carrying players of the Blasters, he must be one on whom the managers of the bigger teams got their eye. We put our money on it that he’ll never be an MVP, but we would be equally stunned that he never wins a title in his career.

Klodian Duka (Erkani Bulldogs - 19) - potentially the next big one in a long tradition which runs from Xhika, Dermaku over to Januzi these days. Klodian Duka combines the physique of a matured professional with the dedication of a maniac. Not only does he do the work as ‘first on the training ground, last one to leave’, many of his senior teammates talk with respect about the routines he manages to complete. A modern attitude towards the press, not being afraid to speak his mind even after a lesser game, Duka has the superstar potential lined up.

Eranda Kraja (Lurore Lions - 22) - these are becoming twenty-two long games for the fans from the Lions but fortunately, they can warm their hearts to Eranda Kraja. We’re not saying that everything the youngster is doing these days is perfect, but his hunger and dedication make up ground for the technical growth potential required to truly shine. The key question is, what can he do in a side not falling apart like sand, and we believe that it is much. He is already a presence in the ring and weighs in both in attack and in defence.