It wasn’t just a regular trip to a football match.
From office to Youth Palace in Pristina are not more than minutes on foot, perhaps just over 500m. A distance so short, but that tonight seemed to divide two completely different worlds.
To get to the hall, the road took me through Pristina’s square, where protests continued regarding the law that had been passed in the first reading and related to Kosovo’s Specialised Chambers. Smoke everywhere. Crowds. Tear gas. People with tears in their eyes, leaving the square. A severe atmosphere, where breathing became difficult for a few moments.
Although the destination was just a few minutes away, the road seemed longer.
Protest view Photo/ Ridvan Sliva
When I finally arrived at the Palace of Youth, the effects of what was happening outside were still there. The eyes were red, the tears burst out, and the throat was irritated. But there were few steps inside the hall, and everything changed.
Within three minutes, I was in another world.
Over 300 football fans were there. The voices, the applause, the atmosphere, the ball running in the parks and the emotions of the game made the feel like nothing was going on outside.
Like protests, smoke, and tear gas were in another town.
But they weren’t.
They were only about 500 yards away.
Two parallel worlds, almost next to each other.
And in this second world, that sport was expected a match much stronger than what was seen in the parks.
FC Pristina 01 and FC Drenica are not just two teams facing the championship tonight. Last year, they played the grand play-off final for the champion title. Drenica then wrote the story, winning the champion title for the first time and ousting Pristina exactly 01 from the throne.
The capitals had been champions three times in a row.
Drenica interrupted that series.
Image from FC Pristina 01 (FC Drenica) matchPhoto/ Enis Islam
Hence, on paper, this match had all the elements to be a solid confrontation. He had the history of last season, had the rivalry, and he also had a champion team that sought to show that he had not forgotten the loss of that throne.
But in the parks, the story was quite different.
Pristina 01 controlled the match in almost every way.
The capitals were more organised, more aggressive, clearer on the offensive shares and, above all, more efficient in front of the gate. Drenica failed to find her rhythm, and over minutes, the difference between the two teams only increased.
Part one closed 3-1.
Locals marked Jakup Ramadani and Ramadan Alaj, while Pristina 01 entered the holiday with an advantage promising a second and more interesting part.
But what happened after the break was not a fight to return the fight.
It was dominance.
Drilon Maharray was one of the main protagonists this evening, marking three goals. Fitim Kranisqi added two others, while Ramadan Alaj also realised twice.
Finally, the sign indicated what had happened in the parks:
Pristina 01 ) Drenica 7-1.
FC Pristina 01 Festival of GoalsPhoto/ Enis Islam
A profound result for a match that, starting with the history of last season, promised much more balance.
But football and the philanthal also have this beauty. History can create expectation, rivalry can trigger a match, but in the end it will all be placed in parks.
And tonight, Pristina 01 was evidently stronger.
On one side of the city, several hundred yards away, people protested between smoke and tear gas.
On the other hand, over 300 people celebrated their team’s goals.
One world was filled with tension, noise, and tears.
Next with goals, applause and sports excitement.
And between them, just a few minutes walk.
Only about 500 meters.
Two completely different realities that existed in the same city for a few moments tonight. /Telegraphy/