Albania round-up: Five fight for survival

The final relegation issue in Albania will go down to the wire after a surprise 1-0 victory for relegation threatened KS Lushnja at champions SK Tirana.

Last-day drama
With one match left to play, Lushnja are now outside the relegation zone but level on 32 points with KS Apolonia who have an inferior goal difference. The other three relegation places have already been decided with KF Erzeni, KS Bylis and KS Besëlidhja all condemned to the drop.

Solitary strike
Lushnja's success at Tirana came despite missing a penalty just eight minutes into the match. Blendi Kadiu scored the only goal of the game in the 66th minute although there was criticism after the match about the champions' display. Apolonia kept their survival hopes alive with a 4-2 win at home against KS Elbasani who, with 33 points, could still be sucked into the drop zone.

Nerves eased
KS Flamurtari are another who have yet to confirm their place in the top flight for next season, although a 4-1 victory against Bylis eased some nerves. Like Elbasani, Flamurtari are on 33 points, as are KS Besa, who won 2-1 against KS Teuta.

Five worried
At the other end of the table, second-placed KS Vllaznia need just a point to claim a UEFA Cup place after a 2-1 home win against KS Shkumbini. Their supporters will be considerably calmer on the final day than the fans of Elbasani, Flamurtari, Besa, Lushnja and Apolonia.