Offbeat Travelling

Fascinating travel adventures in 'difficult' countries

  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Balkans
    • Middle East
    • Post-Soviet
    • Other destinations
  • Latest Posts
  • Photos
  • About
  • Contact
  • More…
    • Publications
    • Travel Tips
    • Countries spreadsheet
Home Adventure Trips

October 5, 2015

Tirana Derby: Embedding with the Ultras Guerrils of KF Partizani

Top
Tirana Football Derby
Holding up the Partizani scarves during the game

Football is serious business in the Balkans, and Albania is no exception. While in Tirana, I obtained a ticket for the big derby and joined the most fanatic supporters of KF Partizani, the Ultras Guerrils. Together we watched how they won 1-0 against their most important rival: KF Tirana.

The football game was taking place in the Qemal Stafa stadium, for which construction was completed a long time ago in the 40s. The largest of Albania, but without toilets, the stadium is a typical Balkan stadium and does not meet UEFA standards. It hosts the home games for Dinamo, KF Tirana and KF Partizani.

Tirana Football Derby
The ticket booth at Qemal Stafa. On the posters you find advertisement for the upcoming game Albania-Serbia, which sold out in record time.
Tirana Football Derby
The ticket to the game (section D2) costs €2.85

I learned back in 2009 that watching a football game in the Balkans can be an excellent lesson in getting more familiar with the local language and history. I once was a spectator at a Partizan game in Belgrade, and later also photographed the game when Kosovo played against Haiti. Because of my good experiences, I knew I had to be part of this epic derby taking place in Albania’s capital.

Supporters in the Balkans are able to hold their pee for a long time and love to come to the game early. It’s an excellent way of building up anticipation.

Locals warned me to go to the stadium early, as queuing up can take a very long time. Fortunately that didn’t happen, but it was mostly because we were late. We arrived 1.5 hours before the start of the game, and the entire stadium was already full. Supporters in the Balkans are able to hold their pee for a long time and love to come to the game early. It’s an excellent way of building up anticipation.

Tirana Football Derby
Getting into the stadium is tightly controlled by (riot) police.
Tirana Football Derby
Getting into the stadium is tightly controlled by (riot) police.

So once inside the atmosphere was amazing. There was some Partizani music playing on the background while I sat down in between the supporters. I started repeating their chants (it won’t be smart to repeat them here) and making ‘gestures’ towards the Tirana supporters in the other corner. Albanians truly are masters at intimidating others when they need to.

READ MORE: Kosovo playing its first FIFA approved football game (against Haiti)

Right before the kick-off, I pulled out a red piece of paper and held it up in the air. Only later that night I saw what I had actually been doing, see the picture below.

Partizani choreography. The white arrow shows where I was standing. (source: Andy)
Partizani choreography. The white arrow shows where I was standing. (source: Andi Kasmi)

The game itself was a bit boring, but luckily there was a great goal from Partizani. It came out of the blue for me, so I missed filming it. But it triggered the biggest fireworks show inside a stadium I have ever seen. Hundreds of red torches lit up and loud crackers were thrown on the field. The game had to stop for at least 10 minutes before continuing. Apparently this is what they always do during a derby. See my video below for yourself (goal at 1:47 minutes):

And this is how it looked from the other side:

Tirana derby between Partizani and Tirana yesterday (Albania) pic.twitter.com/jI0MqPW6TZ

— FootballAwaydays (@Awaydays23) October 4, 2015

In the end the game closed at 1-0. After the Partizani team came back on the field to thank us for our support, we all left the stadium in great spirit. For just €2.85 it’s an experience I will not quickly forget!

Tirana Football Derby
Embedded with the Ultras Guerrils inside the Qemal Stafa stadium in Tirana
Tirana Football Derby
Leaving the stadium in great spirit, after Partizani won 1-0 against KF Tirana

Tip: If you are ever around somewhere in the Balkans, check with the locals if there will be a football game anywhere near. It’s really worth visiting, even if you’re not a great football fan (like me)!

ALSO SEE: Kosovo playing against Haiti in 13 pictures

237
SHARES
ShareTweet
[wysija_form id="4"]
Previous ArticleRefugees and Volunteers in the Balkans: Faces Behind the Numbers
Next ArticleAlbania’s City of Contrasts: Tirana is…

Also Popular on the Blog:

  • A Rare Football Encounter Between Albania and Serbia
  • Albania’s City of Contrasts: Tirana is…

Newsletter

Never miss a thing!

Here is the best way to stay connected:

Make a selection, hit subscribe and confirm through the link in your mailbox! Check your spam folder if cannot find it.

Your data is safe. By subscribing you agree with my privacy policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. No spam, I promise!

WAIT! Almost done! Check your inbox (or spam folder) now to confirm your subscription. Don't forget or you will still be missing out!

About Bart

"My name is Bart and I travel to some of the world’s most fascinating places"

Follow me on my social media pages (below) if you want to tag along!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Top Posts & Pages

  • I Watched The Bizarre India Pakistan Border Closing Ceremony
  • Tourism in Pakistan: Visiting The Swat Valley as a Solo Backpacker
  • The Longest Overland Route in a Straight Line
  • 12 Kick-Ass Route Ideas to Travel the World
  • 10 Must-Visit Museums in the Age of Dark Tourism

Instagram

offbeattravelling

Mezcal adventures in Mexico 🇲🇽. Have you ev Mezcal adventures in Mexico 🇲🇽.

Have you ever tried Mezcal? Same like tequila, rakija or whiskey, but different. It’s made from these agave plants, some of which can easily weigh over 100kg each! 

#travel #instatravel #wanderlust #picoftheday #travelphotography #exploretheworld #worldtraveller #everycountry #everypassportstamp #beautifuldestinations #traveldestination #backpacker #adventure #adventuretravel #natgeotravel #passionpassport #nomadmania #aroundtheworld #tourist #mexico #latinamerica
Exploring the Azores islands. Located 1,400km west Exploring the Azores islands. Located 1,400km west of mainland Portugal, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, this place has amazing nature and sites to visit.

Here is me overlooking the Lagoa Azul from the rooftop of an abandoned hotel, arguably one of the best views in the entire Azores.

Have you been?

#azores #portugal #island #lake #urbex #rooftop #incredibleviews #travel #instatravel #wanderlust #picoftheday #travelphotography #exploretheworld #worldtraveller #everycountry #everypassportstamp #beautifuldestinations #traveldestination #backpacker #adventure #adventuretravel #natgeotravel #passionpassport #nomadmania #aroundtheworld
The Kuwait Towers, finally seeing these with my ow The Kuwait Towers, finally seeing these with my own eyes! 

I spent three days in Kuwait, it was a great experience with great people. Check out my story archive to learn more about all my highlights!

#travel #kuwait #gcc #middleeast #gulf #arabia #arabic #instatravel #wanderlust #picoftheday #travelphotography #exploretheworld #worldtraveller #everycountry #everypassportstamp #beautifuldestinations #traveldestination #backpacker #solotravel #adventure #adventuretravel #natgeotravel #passionpassport #nomadmania #aroundtheworld #architecture
Africa is one of my favourite continents, I travel Africa is one of my favourite continents, I travelled to almost half of its countries so far and I’d love to visit them all one day. 

This makes it even more special to be standing on this unique spot, at the most southern tip of this enormous land mass. It’s where the Indian meets the Atlantic ocean. Other than that however, there is really not much to do in this desolate landscape.

At the end of the 15th century, early Portuguese explorers named this tip ‘Cabo das Agulhas’ which means ‘Cape of Needles’. This is because of the fact that the compass needles show no deviation between true north and magnetic north. It is also referred to as the ship’s graveyard. 

Have you been?

#africa #agulhas #southafrica #explorers #geography #travel #instatravel #fuji_travel #wanderlust #picoftheday #travelphotography #exploretheworld #worldtraveller #everycountry #everypassportstamp #beautifuldestinations #traveldestination #backpacker #solotravel #adventure #adventuretravel #natgeotravel #passionpassport #nomadmania #aroundtheworld #amazingplacestovisit
They say an elephant never forgets. What they don’t tell you is, you never forget an elephant.

#inspirationalquotes #africa #kruger #elephant #forest #wildlife #gamedrive #animallovers #elephantlover #travel #instatravel #fuji_travel #wanderlust #picoftheday #travelphotography #exploretheworld #worldtraveller #everycountry #everypassportstamp #beautifuldestinations #traveldestination #backpacker #solotravel #adventure #adventuretravel #natgeotravel #passionpassport #nomadmania #aroundtheworld
Finally I’m back travelling again! After eight m Finally I’m back travelling again! After eight months being in the office, this time it’s a family trip to South Africa.

Have you been? 

#southafrica #canyon #landscape #mountains #river #travel #instatravel #fuji_travel #wanderlust #picoftheday #travelphotography #exploretheworld #worldtraveller #everycountry #everypassportstamp #beautifuldestinations #traveldestination #backpacker #solotravel #adventure #adventuretravel #natgeotravel #passionpassport #nomadmania #aroundtheworld
Have you been to the greatest electronic dance mus Have you been to the greatest electronic dance music festival in the world? TOMORROWLAND is an incredible festival that gathers over 500,000 people from all around the world to see some of the best DJs and visual art works. 

I got invited to join the exclusive last day of the festival, what a day to remember!

Have you been? Is it on your list?

#edm #belgium #travel #tomorrowland #boom #festival #electronicmusic #electronicdancemusic #arminvanbuuren  #adventure #vip #absolutvodka #pernodricard
Dog sledding in Finland 😍. Out in the incredibl Dog sledding in Finland 😍. Out in the incredible nature with these beautiful huskies. Is it on your bucket list?

.
.
.
.

#travel #husky #huskylove #huskylife #huskylovers #huskiesofinstagram #husky #dog #finland #lapland #snow #travel #tourist #traveldestination #bucketlist #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #instatravel #everycountry #exploretheworld #traveladdict #wanderlust
Follow on Instagram

© 2016–2025 Offbeat Travelling - All rights reserved PRIVACY POLICY | COPYRIGHT | CONTACT