Vasil Ruci

Vasil Ruci (born 17 February 1958 in Vlorë) is an Albanian retired football player and coach who spent his entire career with Flamurtari Vlorë between 1976 and 1993. He is most noted for being an important figure in the club's famous 1986–87 UEFA Cup and 1987–88 UEFA Cup runs.[1]

Vasil Ruci
Personal information
Full name Vasil Ruci
Date of birth (1958-02-17) 17 February 1958
Place of birth Vlorë, Albania
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position(s) Striker
Youth career
0000–1976 Flamurtari Vlorë
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1976–1993 Flamurtari Vlorë 304 (93)
Teams managed
1998–1999 Flamurtari
2006–2007 Flamurtari
2007–2008 Turbina Cërrik
2009–2010 Himara
2011–2012 Vlora
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

He is a one club man, having spent the entirety of his playing career at Flamurtari Vlorë, where he scored 93 league goals between 1976 and 1993,[2] making him the current 16th top goalscorer in Albanian history.[3] He made his debut for Flamurtari under coach Bejkush Birçe in 1976 against Besa Kavajë[2] and won a 1991 league medal with them, despite Ruci being out injured for the season. He twice topped the Albanian league's goalscoring charts, in 1982 and 1984.[4]

He put Flamurtari 1-0 up against Spanish giants FC Barcelona in the famous 1-1 UEFA Cup draw in Vlora on 16 September 1986[5] with Barcelona qualifying for the next round on away goals two weeks later. He als scored a consolation goal in the 4–1 loss at Barcelona on 25 November 1987[6] the second successive season the clubs met each other in the UEFA Cup.

Personal life

His older brother Petro also played for Flamurtari.

Honours
  • Albanian Superliga: 1
1991[7]
1985, 1988[8]

References
  1. Arnhold, Matthias (22 November 2003). "The UEFA Cup 1987/88 - BSG Wismut Aue (GDR)". RSSSF. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  2. Xhevdet Zekaj: Për Vasil Rucin, bomberin klasik dhe të paparashikueshëm të Vlorës. Ja skeda e një kampioni - Telegraf (in Albanian)
  3. Nappi, Giovanni (7 September 2007). "Albania 2006/07". RSSSF. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  4. “Këpucët e Arta” të Shqipërisë, nga Refik Resmja te Iir Përnaska - Telegraf (in Albanian)
  5. 1986/87, First round , 1st leg - UEFA
  6. 1987/88, Third round , 1st leg - UEFA
  7. Albania - Championship Winning Teams - RSSSF
  8. Albania - Albania - List of Cup Finals - RSSSF


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