[ALBSA-Info] {QIKSH «ALBEUROPA»} Albania Beat Italy in Nostalgic Veterans' Match

[Nikoll A Mirakaj]

Albania Beat Italy in Nostalgic Veterans' Match 

TIRANA, Nov 1, 2000 -- (Reuters) Albanian goalkeeper Perlat Musta had only one regret after he saved a penalty from Italy's victorious 1982 World Cup striker Paolo Rossi on Monday.

It came a quarter of a century too late.

The save sealed a 0-0 draw in a nostalgic match between veterans of Italian and Albanian soccer from the 1980s.

The 10,000-strong crowd at Tirana's Qemal Stafa stadium had further cause for glee when the portly Albanians went on to beat their more athletic rivals 5-3 on penalties.

But Rossi did not mind. "I can only say it was a beautiful evening which will remain in my memory forever," he said. "It was the first time I had come to Albania and I found the warmth of thousands of fans."

(C)2000 Copyright Reuters Limited. 

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