ARBANITAI
06-10-2005, 06:53 PM
Panajot PANO
In our special edition of UEFA JUBILIE 1954-2004, Panajot Pano " The Master of the Goal" and the greatest Albanian soccer player of the Century, looks back on his career and recalls some of the glorious and memorable moments of his modest past.
You have played close to 700 matches, over 100 of which are international (friendly matches included), over 400 domestic goals and over 50 international goals. You have been delcared publicly "The greatest soccer player in Albania". DO you feel Honored ?
" Correction. I am voted the Greatest player, but the Albanian burocracy would like to name me "Master" a tittle which I have received decades ago. I would like to be noted as I am voted "The Greatest",Then I will feel really honored and respected".
Panajot Pano was born in DURRES on March 7, 1939 and is the son of Thomai and Jasilika and the brother of Kaliroi and Kristofer. His native town is Delvina, Saranda.
Soon after he was born, his family moved to Tirana, where he would pas most of the time on "Fortuzi" road, watching all the good and popular Albanian players of the time play. Spending too much time playing with his would be fellow peers, like sulejman Maliqati, Gani Xhafa, Gani Merja, Bert Jashari, Skender Halili left very little time for studying. "My parents were tottally against me spending time playing and staying away from books"remembers Pano or Joti as all friends and family called him. He started his education at elementery school " Hasan Vogli" and then middle school "10 korriku" " I remember my first teachers, great teacher,Myftar Marku and Ljubica Vejanika, who always encouraged me " he said.
When did you become aware of your ever growing passion for soccer?
"Ever since I was little, 4-5 years old, the only thing I would do or thing about was play SOCCER"
When did you first start playing with a team and which was your first club?
"I started playing in the early ¨50s, with SK Tirana. Actually was spartak with coaches Iliaz Dingu and Fadil Bakalli and the team wasnt in any youth league.competition. Then in 1956, I moved at Tirana with coach Xhavit Demneri. On the first match he activated me as a goalkeeper"
Then How did you Become a forward player?
One player was missing, so the coach decided to put me as a right forward. We lost to partizani 0-4. Since that match, coach Demniri must have liked my skills, because he decided not to put me back as goalie again.(Thats interesant)
How long did you play with Tiranas youth team ?
Between two-three seasons. In 1957 we won the National Title and I was the top scorer of the League, but please dont ask me how many goals I scored I dont remember at All."
WHen did you play your first professional match with Tirana?
In 1958, was the first year, but with Tirana first team I played in few matches for republic cup prior to the start of National championship. Coach Myslim Alla called me from the youth team. We played against "Puna" of kavaje and we were eliminated after 0-0 draw in Kavaja and 1-2 loss in Tirana. I scored the only goal for the team and the first for me. In national champions I remembered one of my greatest games was against partizani the champion of the league. We lost 2-4, but i scored both goals"
" I started first as a goalkeeper and then became a Forward"
Dece,ber 12.1959, you were called to serve in the Army. After that, you had to leave SK Tirana never to return!
Correct. I left Tirana, but before I joined Partizani (The Albanian Army team) I served in the Army for a few months as a marine, in the seaside city of VLORA, Then prior to start of 1960 season, I was asked to join Partizani in a feq of their International activities and then signed up for the "Red"team. After that,Its History"
Your most emotional International match?
"As they say "We allways remember our first" (Smile) and I do remember my first match with National Team against Bulgaria in Tirana, June 6,1963. I was very emotional and my adrenaline was pumped up"
Your most memorable International Match?
Against Germany, no doubt. Particularly the match in Tirana, in 1967.We won the game, we knew it, the Germans knew it and the referees knewit, even though in the papers it appeared as a tie 0-0"
Your most Important International Goal?
"Going back, definitely My first. It was the goal I scored against Denmark in Tirana and thanks to my goal we won 1-0"
Your most Important Domesctic Goal?
"Tough. I have scored many in very decisive times. But, only one tops them all. The goal that gave me my first trophy. After 2 matches and 5 extra times Partizani was playing against Dinamo for the Championship match. First game ended up 1-1 after regulation and 2 extra times. Then the second match was played 0-0 after refulations and 2 extra times. Then was my turn. I scored and the winning goal us the Championship".
Your "Lucky" Goal ?
"I scored from the penallty spot once. The opposing keeper Teli Ciko and saved the kick but the ball rolled slowly under his arms into the net. That was a lucky goal"
What do you consider the best time of soccer in Albania
Years 1970-1975. I played in 50-es, 60-es and 70-es were the best ever. Then, there were the best ever. Then, there were the 80-es, but of course, Id have to pick the years I played.
In our special edition of UEFA JUBILIE 1954-2004, Panajot Pano " The Master of the Goal" and the greatest Albanian soccer player of the Century, looks back on his career and recalls some of the glorious and memorable moments of his modest past.
You have played close to 700 matches, over 100 of which are international (friendly matches included), over 400 domestic goals and over 50 international goals. You have been delcared publicly "The greatest soccer player in Albania". DO you feel Honored ?
" Correction. I am voted the Greatest player, but the Albanian burocracy would like to name me "Master" a tittle which I have received decades ago. I would like to be noted as I am voted "The Greatest",Then I will feel really honored and respected".
Panajot Pano was born in DURRES on March 7, 1939 and is the son of Thomai and Jasilika and the brother of Kaliroi and Kristofer. His native town is Delvina, Saranda.
Soon after he was born, his family moved to Tirana, where he would pas most of the time on "Fortuzi" road, watching all the good and popular Albanian players of the time play. Spending too much time playing with his would be fellow peers, like sulejman Maliqati, Gani Xhafa, Gani Merja, Bert Jashari, Skender Halili left very little time for studying. "My parents were tottally against me spending time playing and staying away from books"remembers Pano or Joti as all friends and family called him. He started his education at elementery school " Hasan Vogli" and then middle school "10 korriku" " I remember my first teachers, great teacher,Myftar Marku and Ljubica Vejanika, who always encouraged me " he said.
When did you become aware of your ever growing passion for soccer?
"Ever since I was little, 4-5 years old, the only thing I would do or thing about was play SOCCER"
When did you first start playing with a team and which was your first club?
"I started playing in the early ¨50s, with SK Tirana. Actually was spartak with coaches Iliaz Dingu and Fadil Bakalli and the team wasnt in any youth league.competition. Then in 1956, I moved at Tirana with coach Xhavit Demneri. On the first match he activated me as a goalkeeper"
Then How did you Become a forward player?
One player was missing, so the coach decided to put me as a right forward. We lost to partizani 0-4. Since that match, coach Demniri must have liked my skills, because he decided not to put me back as goalie again.(Thats interesant)
How long did you play with Tiranas youth team ?
Between two-three seasons. In 1957 we won the National Title and I was the top scorer of the League, but please dont ask me how many goals I scored I dont remember at All."
WHen did you play your first professional match with Tirana?
In 1958, was the first year, but with Tirana first team I played in few matches for republic cup prior to the start of National championship. Coach Myslim Alla called me from the youth team. We played against "Puna" of kavaje and we were eliminated after 0-0 draw in Kavaja and 1-2 loss in Tirana. I scored the only goal for the team and the first for me. In national champions I remembered one of my greatest games was against partizani the champion of the league. We lost 2-4, but i scored both goals"
" I started first as a goalkeeper and then became a Forward"
Dece,ber 12.1959, you were called to serve in the Army. After that, you had to leave SK Tirana never to return!
Correct. I left Tirana, but before I joined Partizani (The Albanian Army team) I served in the Army for a few months as a marine, in the seaside city of VLORA, Then prior to start of 1960 season, I was asked to join Partizani in a feq of their International activities and then signed up for the "Red"team. After that,Its History"
Your most emotional International match?
"As they say "We allways remember our first" (Smile) and I do remember my first match with National Team against Bulgaria in Tirana, June 6,1963. I was very emotional and my adrenaline was pumped up"
Your most memorable International Match?
Against Germany, no doubt. Particularly the match in Tirana, in 1967.We won the game, we knew it, the Germans knew it and the referees knewit, even though in the papers it appeared as a tie 0-0"
Your most Important International Goal?
"Going back, definitely My first. It was the goal I scored against Denmark in Tirana and thanks to my goal we won 1-0"
Your most Important Domesctic Goal?
"Tough. I have scored many in very decisive times. But, only one tops them all. The goal that gave me my first trophy. After 2 matches and 5 extra times Partizani was playing against Dinamo for the Championship match. First game ended up 1-1 after regulation and 2 extra times. Then the second match was played 0-0 after refulations and 2 extra times. Then was my turn. I scored and the winning goal us the Championship".
Your "Lucky" Goal ?
"I scored from the penallty spot once. The opposing keeper Teli Ciko and saved the kick but the ball rolled slowly under his arms into the net. That was a lucky goal"
What do you consider the best time of soccer in Albania
Years 1970-1975. I played in 50-es, 60-es and 70-es were the best ever. Then, there were the best ever. Then, there were the 80-es, but of course, Id have to pick the years I played.