Albania - making a dream
come true
With the asistance of the East European Assistance Bureau (EEAB) of UEFA, the Football
Association of Albania will realize the dream of thousands of Albanian football fans - the
first ever international game to be played under floodlights in the country.
The dream began in late 1995, when the Swedish FA contacted the EEAB to donate the
old floodlight system of the Swedish National Stadium, Rasunda in Stockholm.
The EEAB quickly had the floodlight system checked, and was pleased to find that the
material was still in good working order. It was not long before the Football Association of
Albania expressed a great interest and willingness to equip its Quemal Stafa National
Stadium in Tirana to meet UEFA's requirements.
At the end of April 1996, with the approval of the EEAB Board, a contract for upgrading
the floodlight system donated by the Swedish FA to 1500 Lux was signed with the Swiss
floodlight producer BAG Turgi.
In May 1996, a first visit was undertaken to launch the project. The material sent from
Sweden was inspected, and several meetings were held with local contractors (electri
cians, civil'engineers, soil analysers, etc.) in order to define responsibilities and deadlines.
The objective was to have the floodlights installed for Albania's first 1998 World Cup
qualifying match at home, against Portugal on 9th October 1996.
The August visit was scheduled a few days after the delivery of the masts, floodlights and
cables for the upgrade. All the material arrived safely from Switzerland and Italy and was
inspected. It is now stored inside and around the stadium. Further meetings with local
contractors were held, and although the local work is a somewhat behind schedule, there
is a very good chance that the match against Portugal will be "illuminated" and that the
Albanian football fans will be... delighted.
MARC VOUILLAMOZ
During the summer, the pitch at Quemal Stafa
i National Stadium in Tirana was replaced and
I now the floodlights, the first one ever in Albanian
1 football, have been installed.
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