KS Gramozi Erseke vs Real Madrid | Taci Oil Cup | Preview
Real Madrid face K.S. Gramozi Erseke in the third edition of the Taci Oil Cup on Wednesday in Tirana, Albania. It is the first friendly the Whites have every played in the Balkan country and all proceeds from the match will be donated to the thousands of local citizens who have been affected by recent flooding.
All healthy Madridistas will make the trip, but Diarra, who just concluded his African Cup duty, Pepe, Van Nistelrooy, Van der Vaart and Higuain will stay in Madrid. .
Klubi Sportiv Gramozi Erseke is an Albanian football club based in Ersekë. The club played the 2008/09 season in the Albanian First Division. They reached Kategoria e pare after winning the Kategoria e dyte title in the 2007/08 season. They finished fourth with 55 points and, having won 5-2 a play-off against KS Bylis, were allowed to play in the Albanian Superliga. KS Gramozi is owned by the father of Albanian oil magnate Rezart Taci.
Qemal Stafa is a the largest soccer stadium in Tirana, Albania, named after Qemal Stafa, a World War II hero. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium has 19,600 seats. The stadium is currently used by the Albanian National Football Team and Tirana based Albanian football clubs: Tirana, Dinamo, and Partizani.
The stadium is considered a “curse” for national foreign teams, partly due to the fact that Albania usually wins or rarely loses their home games. In a period stretching from September 2001 to October 2004 Albania went undefeated at home and all these games were played at the Qemal Stafa Stadium. Illustrious national teams teams like Russia, Sweden, and newly crowned European Champions, Greece in 2004 were eclipsed by Albania, whereas teams like Ireland, Switzerland and Bulgaria had to settle for hotly contested draws in the intimidating arena.
For Kaka this will be his second Taci Oil Cup participation. The Brazilian won the 2009 edition with AC Milan in a penalty shooutout after the match ended in a 3-3 draw. Kaka was named the man of the match after provided two goal assists and scoring the p.k. winner.
Pellegrini, Kaka & Cristiano Ronaldo press conference
Following an introduction from Taci Oil Vice-President Anika Taci, Manuel Pellegrini, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo gave a press conference prior to their 18:00 CET match in Albania.
Anika Taci
I wish to thank Florentino Perez for giving us football fans in Albania the chance to see the team play in this country.
Cristiano Ronaldo
I’m not worried about not scoring goals lately. I always work the same way and I don’t get frustrated. I’m sure I’ll score again. I was very happy in Manchester, but I am also happy in Madrid. My family loves the city.
Kaka
I am proud of having made the career decision to play for Real Madrid. I would like to be a decisive player on the team. I’ve improved since my injury; my performances are more natural. I will gradually reach optimum form again.
Pellegrini
It motivates us extra to know the prooceeds from the match will be donated in their entirety to help those affected by the catastrophic floodings in Albania. We are proud to be here. There is no way we regard this match as a training session. It wouldn’t be serious on our part to do so and it wouldn’t be useful either. We want people to have fun.
Just another Madridista
Junta speak