Champion Profile | Kristaq Eksarko, an excellent number 2 of the left lane!

Kristaq Eksarko 
Partizan and left-wing defender, member of the Albanian National Team!

Born on November 12, 1959, a well-known player, especially in the Partizan formation in the defense department. National champion with the great Partizan of the time led by master Bejkush Birce. With the red jerseys, (No. 2 usually), he played 7 seasons from 1980-81 to 1986-1987. He has excelled in the ranks of this team, contributing to the maximum in every match he has played in the successes of the reds.

There is no way not to remember the match against Austria Vienna in Tirana for the Champions Cup when he defended the colors of his Partizan, in that unforgettable 1-0 victory under a torrential rain (September 30, 1981). Kristaq Eksarko was also present in two other historic matches for the UEFA Cup against Malmo of Sweden, on September 17, 1980 (1-0 victory in Tirana) and in the return match 0-0 on October 1 of the same year in Malmo.

Among other things, Eksarko was an excellent full-back, which led him being a member of the national team, “Kombetarja” where he made his debut in the red-black jersey on April 27, 1983, at the age of 24, when coach Shyqyri Rreli called him up for the match against Northern Ireland in Belfast (0-1), for the qualifiers for the European Championship in France `84.

Eksarko played three more matches for Albanian National Team in these European qualifiers. He was part of the team in the 1-1 draw against Turkey in Tirana on May 11, 1983, then against Austria in Vienna on June 8 in the minimal 1-2 defeat to be present in one of the most beautiful challenges to remember, against the FRG in Saarbrucken on November 20, 1983 (1-2) in the heroic stand of our team in defense of a 1-1 draw that should have been fair and deserved for our National Team.

It was the match when the red and blacks Albanian National had embarrassed the German ,Western champions of captain Rrummenigge, Voeller, Kaltz, Littbarski, Foerster, Briegel etc., after they had first taken the lead with Genci Tomorri (Partizani) and then with a pleasant game they had settled in defense to achieve the most possible positive outcome. It was the match when the goal was defended by another Partizan, Perlat Musta who felt equally safe having his teammate by his side, namely Kristaq Eksarko.

Eksarko will also be a participant in the two qualifying matches of the Mexico `86 World Cup, gathered for the challenge against Belgium (1-3) in Brussels on October 17, 1984, and the historic draw in Mielec against Poland 2-2 on October 31 of the same year.

Kristaq Eksarko also won the Balkan Champions title with the Albanian
Under 21 “Shpresat” in 1981.

Injuries have often forced Eksarko to stay away from the fields for long periods of time, somewhat diminishing his form.
Ended his football career in 1988.

© Copyright
By Pjerin Bj
New York: Mars 7, 2025

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Sport Vision + Plus / Champions Hour in activity since 2013

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