When the love of the country and the profession are intertwined in a magical way, they manage to break the language and diplomatic barriers. This is the case of Engjël Bërbatovci, the journalist and sports commentator from Kosovo, who became a global sensation after bursting into cheers and tears when Kosovo scored a goal in the decisive match against Slovakia. His epic reactions went viral, making the world turn its eyes to Kosovo.
In an interview for the show “Në Radio” with Andri Xhahun on Radio Tirana, Bërbatovci narrated the behind-the-scenes of that video that “conquered” social networks and the media, from Brazil to Mexico.
It all started last Thursday, when Angel was assigned to comment on the match between Denmark and North Macedonia. Although he was on duty, his attention, like that of all Albanians, was elsewhere.
”Everything was spontaneous. We are sometimes challenged when there are big events to convey something else while you are on duty. That evening, Poland – Albania and Slovakia – Kosovo were played, and all the eyes of the Albanians were on these two matches. A bit despondent, I went to the commentary booth with no plan“, he says.
It was in that booth that he decided to film himself with his phone to show the excitement behind the scenes. But, when Kosovo scored the third goal in Bratislava, professionalism “surrendered” to national sentiment.
”My mind was on Bratislava. Watching the match, the emotions grew from time to time. When the third goal came, I couldn’t hold back anymore, I had to stop the microphone and let out the noise I had inside. Everything was from the soul. But it didn’t occur to me that it would become so viral in the world because the video is in the Albanian language, but I realized that the universal language is love and emotion“, he added.
The response to the video was immediate. Waking up the next day for the commentator from Kosovo was full of surprises.
“At 12:30 after midnight I posted the video and slept. When I woke up in the morning at seven o’clock, the first message that came to me was from Vedat Muriqi. When the captain of Kosovo himself wrote to me, I did not expect it. The video had exploded, the phone vibrated all day. The video has gone as far as Brazil and Mexico. I have been contacted by reporters from ESPN Mexico, the sports network there. They told me that through you we managed to get to know Kosovo a little more and understand why it is so important for Kosovo to qualify for the World Championship. A Brazilian television contacted me for an interview. I couldn’t believe it. I’m not used to having so much attention at once“, he says.
Asked what are some of the messages that have left an impression on him, Engjëlli says: “It is a message from a young boy from Kosovo where he wrote to me that ‘I have always dreamed of being a commentator like you and representing my country the way you have represented it in the international arena through commentary'”.
For Bërbatovci, this fame goes beyond the personal. It’s an opportunity to introduce his country to countries that still don’t officially recognize it, like Mexico. He also singled out the message of the Mexican journalist Alan Ortiz, who told him: “I wish you come to Latin America to visit us in Mexico, and be at the World Cup because I really love you and your people who are so noble“.
Looking ahead, Bërbatovci is quite optimistic about Kosovo’s next match against Turkey. He believes in a historic victory that will be celebrated by all Albanians. ”I take victory for sure. I think we have to win tomorrow. I don’t think we will be defeated. We are at home. The players are very motivated. I believe that tomorrow we will be rewarded and all Albanians around the world will celebrate this historic achievement“.
In closing, he did not forget to mention the red and black national team, emphasizing the unity of the nation beyond state borders. “It’s too bad that Albania couldn’t qualify. It’s true that we are two countries, but we are one nation and we should be happy with each other’s successes”.
