The “Legends Speak” column, which airs every Saturday on the official channels of the Albanian Football Association, brings another big name in the history of Albanian football. The next guest in this column is Sulejman Demollari, one of the most prominent figures of the Albanian National Team and Dinamo, who shares his story about a rich career and moments that have left their mark.
Demollari talks about his first steps in football and the journey that led him to the Dinamo team, where he achieved the greatest successes in his career. He also spoke about his professional continuation at Dinamo Bucharest, where he was widely praised for his performances and contribution.
In the interview, he particularly focuses on his experience with the national teams, recalling the emotions of the quarterfinals of the U-21 European Championship, one of the most special moments of that period, and also brings to mind the episode of the disallowed goal at “Wembley”. Sulejman Demollari gives his opinion on the current National Team and analyzes the chances of qualifying for the World Cup:
– How did your football career start and how did you become part of the Dinamo team?
Football, of course, like any child at a young age, 7-8 years old, in the alleys of the neighborhood, in the premises near the buildings. Then organized football, there were sports classes at that time and I became part of the sports class of the “Alqi Kondi” school at that time, today it is “Pjetër Budi”. There I started my career as an organized footballer.
– You joined Dinamo at the age of 16 and in your debut as a starter in 1981, when you were only 17 years old, you also scored your first goal for this team. Did this goal mark your future at Dinamo?
The story of how I started my career is also very beautiful. I joined the Dinamo team of that time with a large number of legends to mention, starting with the late Vasillaq Zëri, Ilir Luarasi, Përnaska, Ballgjini, Targaj, Bregu, Gega, the late Agron Azbiu, Bashkim Delia, Andrea Marko and many others. It was a team that included players from our national teams, Shpresat and the national team A. It was a great emotion because I grew up with that club, I won a lot. Dinamo was a team that gave a lot. Respect, passion, love for football and above all it was a team where everyone was familiar with each other.
– Can you tell us about any sacrifice you made for Dinamo?
Not only me, but every footballer at that time made sacrifices for the team's colors. Sacrifices from the physical side and from the side of the inability to play. I also have my own case, which I consider special. A derby match on November 17. I had an ankle injury and the late professor, Fatmir Frashëri, told me that I could not play that day. But before the match, at the moments of gathering together at the hotel, the Deputy Minister of the Interior of the time, Hysen Shahu, a passionate man after football who did a lot for sports and football in particular, comes and on a walk that we took, it was his wish that he said: "The professor told me that you will not play because of the injury, but I think that you should because your presence on the field for the opponent is something strong emotionally". I started the match injured with a swollen ankle. And fortunately we won 5-3, where I scored 3 goals. This is the most exciting match of my career.
- Your club career has been between two Dinamos. In Bucharest you became an idol. What do you remember from that experience?
It was a beautiful experience. After the 90s, we were given the opportunity to play for different teams in Europe. Like me, many other friends and footballers moved to different countries. I was given the opportunity directly for a contract, very good for the time with Dinamo Bucharest. It was an elite team and a legend for Romanian football. In that group I found players from the Romanian national team. Luckily, I adapted well there from the beginning. I was declared champion, the best scorer and the best foreign player of all time in Romanian football.
Demollari National Team
- You were considered the best number 11 technically and Albania's entire attacking game revolved around you. How do you feel about that?
It's a pleasure. It's valuable for me too, because the role of a playmaker is very important for the team.
– You are the first and only team of Hopes that has managed to reach the quarterfinals of the U-21 European Championship, leaving behind Michel Platini's France and Belgium. What do you remember from this period?
It was a very good generation. We started with a group of 7-8 players from the youth national team, the Hopes and the senior national team. We went through the national teams. When we reached the Hopes, we had very good results. In the group we had Germany, Austria and Turkey and we eliminated these teams, coming out in first place. At that time, it was a point accumulation. In the quarterfinals we fell to Italy of Mancini, Vignola, and Rampulë, where we were eliminated with two minimal losses.
– You are a record-breaking footballer. Captain, and you scored one of the most beautiful and unjustly disallowed goals at Wembley. How do you remember this period?
The execution was fantastic. Watching it often, it's a goal that had a reason to be disallowed. It remains in my memory as one of the most beautiful goals for the way it was executed.
– You broke a record, you were selected 6 times as the best player of the Albanian championship when you were only 19 years old. How did this selection work at that time?
At that time, there was a poll of the 10 best athletes of the year, where the best player of the championship emerged from all sports. And during that time, I won the best footballer of the year 6 times.
The current national team in the eyes of Demollari
– How do you see the National Team today compared to your generation? What's different today?
Everything today has evolved. Both the championship, but also the national team, the players. Today's football, compared to the football of our time, is much more physical, the parameters in every component have increased. Players today are given many times more opportunities than in the years when we played. Above all, from a professional point of view, there is an extraordinary development.
– What are the chances of this team qualifying for the playoffs today?
We are really facing a team with traditions, with a name. Poland is a team with great achievements and successes. I want every player to give their best in this match. If we are lucky, we can achieve qualification.
– If you were the coach in the locker room before the playoffs today, what would you say to the team?
"Why in this match it is important that everyone gives their maximum. To give over 100% and to be one group. If we are a group, we can achieve the result.
Short questions for Sulejman Demollari
– The best match of my career.
In Albania, the 5-3 victory against 17 Nëntor. And in Romania, the first derby, I learned something very nice from the fans there. "It's better to win the derby than the championship" and luckily for me, in the first derby we won 1-0 and with my goal.
– Can you single out the most special period in your career?
The most special thing is being present in the first team of Dinamo Tirana. And the most special thing is when I wore the national team A jersey.
- Do you have a career hurdle?
No, I have no regrets. I say that I fulfilled my career with the opportunities we had and above all, I tried outside of my career. I gained new experience and even became a champion with Dinamo Bucharest.
- Since you said that the match against 17 November was the best, what did you tell yourself before this match?
I've always been an emotional type before every match. Then the excitement of the match would take over and I would think about doing my best.
– Who was your best friend in the national team?
My best friend in the National Team, I started with captain Mujo Targa and ended with Ermal Tahiri at the end of my career.
– What about Dinamo?
I started with Besnik Mërgjyshi, continued with Alfred Duka and up to Halit Gega.
– Can you name a coach today that even when you remember him, you feel nostalgic and would like to go back in time to train with him again?
I have an extraordinary respect for all the coaches. I remember them fondly and they have made an extraordinary sacrifice and work for their time. Starting from the late Fatmir Frashëri, Bejkush Birçe, and up to Professor Faruk Sejdini.
– Is it true that you have never received a red card?
It's true. I've only had one yellow card in three and a half years. I even deserved a red card, after I pulled the referee by the shirt. But for the respect he had and the game I was showing on the field, when the referee saw it was me, he only gave me a yellow card.
– Who is Albania's best player when you played?
My idol was Vasillaq Zëri when I started. Then over time there were many, starting with Kola, Muça, Minga, Targaj, Ballgjini, Përnaska and many others. But as a child and at the beginning of my career, I will keep the late Vasillaq Zëri.
– Who is Albania's best player today?
Today, a strong point of the team is Gjimshiti. But I like it more when the team above all plays as a group, dedicated and these have brought results. Despite the fact that the individual also has his role.
– If you were to be reborn again, would you choose to be a player from the era you played in or from this era?
Today we have grown a lot professionally, and the conditions are many times better at this time. But even when I played, it was very nice. Today we talk about a more developed, more modern and better prepared football. Today, the conditions to achieve high results are clearer and more approachable.
– Today you have a beautiful family and a grandson who we often see you with in Tirana. Is he the next Demollari of Albania in football?
I want my grandson to be involved in sports and football and to help him. This is also the child's own desire, since when he grows up he has the desire and passion to be involved in sports and football. I want to help him and teach him. But this depends on him.
