The outstanding former goalkeeper of Tirana, part of the legendary team of the white and blue, has passed away.

2023-07-20 12:46:15, Sport CNA

Ilir Elini, the well-known champion goalkeeper of 17 November Tirana, the legendary team of the 60-70s, passed away on Wednesday evening at the age of 82. A career started with the youth of this club, where he is also evident as one of the talents and with a future in the defense of the blue-and-white goal.

Then, forced military service, when he was 18 years old, he left for Peshkopi, to play there, being active with the Korab team, and even with the representative of this district in the national activities of the time. He returns to the club, replacing Bujar Tafaj, who will also leave for a period of several years to perform military service.

Undisputed titleholder in the big matches of that period, being declared champion on November 17, in the first title, the historic one, of the 1964-65 season. As a representative of the generations of outstanding goalkeepers of this club in those years, from Metani, Bathorja, Tafaj, Ilir Elini with the characteristics and qualities that a goalkeeper needs, he was lucky enough to write his name in that famous team, alongside Frashëri, Halil, Kasmi, Ali Mema, Osman Mema, Nuri Bylykun, Skënder Hykë, Ben Bukovik, Bahri Ishka, Niko Xhaçka, Luigj Bytyçin, in the legendary team led by Myslym Alla and Enver Shehu.

Ilir Elini's career would continue with the team of the Textile Factory, ending his sports activities there. A perfect family member, like an outstanding goalkeeper, very correct, respected and loved by players, fans, friends, comrades, this is how Ilir Elini will be remembered, the unforgettable goalkeeper of November 17 of the 60-70s, the formation that changed the history of Albanian football.

Here is what his contemporaries told me today:

Bujar Tafaj: Excellent boy, good goalkeeper, positional. He replaced me when I left the army.

Luigj Bytyçi: Ilir Elini was with us in the best moments of the November 17 rising!

Niko Xhaçka: He was a very, very good boy! He was champion with the youth and with us in the 1964-1965 season.

Ben Çela: I loved and respected him a lot!