Kastriot Hysi | Champions of Albanian Football!

Kastriot Hysi
Defensive player who played for the teams “Labinoti” Elbasan and “Partizani”.

Hysi was born on February 26, 1958, in Elbasan. He is undoubtedly one of the strongest Albanian center backs. He stood out for the Partizan team, as well as several matches with the national team in the years 80 – 81.

A distinct physical strength, constant form, calmness and fighting spirit, are some of his best qualities, which distinguished him from the most outstanding footballers of that time. Sports fans who have followed Hysi on the playing fields, remember with nostalgia the decisive interventions in the defense of the red shirts, both of Partizan and the National Team. Among the most prominent, most beautiful duels in his time was undoubtedly with the well-known Dinamo striker, Vasillaq Zëri.

Kastriot Hysi is also remembered for the satisfying coverage he gave Carl Heinz Rummenigge in the match with the national team, against the FRG, in Tirana in April 1981, where he stood out for his rigor and precise interventions, a duel which he himself remembers with nostalgia!!

He began his career with Labinoti of Elbasan in 1974, where he was first selected for the team of his hometown. A year later, in 1975, he won his first trophy with this team, the Republic Cup. He stayed at Labinoti for 2 seasons in a row and then left to shine the star of Partizan for a 10-year period, becoming an undisputed starter on the field for the Reds.

In 1976 he was called up for military service, but since he was a little-known but promising player, the legendary club of those years, Partizan, representing the Army, sought him out, giving him the opportunity to wear the red jersey. Hysi was of course a quality element, exactly these elements approached the legendary club which turned these players into symbols. Kastriot Hysi did not hesitate but even took advantage of this opportunity.

He started with this team from the 1976-1977 season and would not leave it until the 1985-1986 season, which would also be the season of his retirement from football.

During all this time he became a starting player, and for no moment was his role in this great team of that period ever questioned.

With Partizan he won everything that could be won at that time, starting from the Republic Cup, the National Championship, the Super Cup of the country, as well as various “Spartakiada”. But above all, the activation with the red team also gives him the national team jersey, which is the greatest honor for a footballer. The name that this team enjoyed in Albania was something very big that imposed great responsibilities on the field. He was declared champion with Partizan in the 1980-1981 season.

For the first time Hysi was called up to the national team in 1980. Of course, it was like a dream for him. The first match was against Finland at “Qemal Stafa” stadium, where Albania won 2-0. Albania was coming after a long period of isolation and disconnection from international matches, so it was undoubtedly something quite beautiful for the footballers but also for the fans in general.

Footballers during that period truly gave a lot to football, despite the difficult conditions and limitations of that time.

In international matches with Partizan, he has made many dignified debuts, against the strongest teams. To mention the match that left a lot of impressions, namely the one against the Scottish “Celtic” Glasgow, where Partizan wins 1-0 at “Qemal Stafa”. Also another very impressive match was the one against Austria Vienna in the Champions Cup. Also another quality match was the one against the well-known Swedish team “Malmoe”.

Meanwhile, he has also held many international meetings at the Balkan level, the famous Balkan Cup. In these activities, one can mention with nostalgia the victory over Rijeka with a score of 4-1, which was a well-known team from the former Yugoslavia.

We should not forget the April 1981 match against the FRG in Tirana, where Hysi felt better than ever, perhaps even more responsible, since he was facing a direct opponent, the best player of those years, a legend of world football, Karl Heinz Rrummenigge.
It was a very strong duel and it is thought that it was the meeting where Hysi showed his best values as a defender.

During his career he played 7 matches with the Albanian national team, all in the 1982 World Cup Qualifiers.

More precisely, he played on September 3, 1980 in the match Albania – Finland (2-0). Then: 19-10-1980 Bulgaria – Albania 2-1; 15 November 1980 Austria – Albania 5-0; 6 December 1980 Albania – Austria 0-1; 1 April 1981 Albania – FRG 0-2; 2 September 1981 Albania – Finland 1-2; 18 November 1981 FRG – Albania 8-0.