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Albanians Capture Rare European Win

LONDON (AP) -- A dramatic hat trick by Idrit Fortuzi, the last goal coming in the game's final minute, gave Albania a rare moment of European glory when Tirana beat Fandok Bobruisk of Belarus to advance to the first round of the Cup Winners Cup.


Fortuzi accounted for all Thursday's goals in the 3-0 second-leg, preliminary-round victory -- his efforts just enough to overcome a 4-1 first-leg defeat on the road. The teams drew 4-4 on aggregate, but Tirana advanced with a 1-0 advantage on away goals.


Tirana drew Brondby Copenhagen in Friday's first-round selection in Geneva, where the preliminary round winners, mostly minnows in the European soccer pool, were matched against the higher-profile teams, such as defending champion Arsenal, which receive automatic entries into the first round.


Another late goal at home allowed Sligo Rovers of Ireland to advance. Striker John Brennan found the target in the 72nd minute in a 1-0 game that gave the Rovers a 3-2 aggregate victory over Floriana of Malta.


Robert Kocis scored twice as Slovakian club Tatran Presov romped past visiting Bangor FC of Northern Ireland 4-0. Tatran also won the first leg 1-0.


Another British Isles team was likewise dominated on the road. Vytautas Karvelis scored two goals as Zhalgiris Vilnius of Lithuania rolled 6-0 over Barry Town of Wales to advance with a 7-0 aggregate.


Maribor Branik of Slovenia went on a goal spree at home against Norma Tallinn, winning 10-0 to advance on 14-1 aggregate.


Petr Vrabec scored what proved to be an insurance goal with two minutes to play in Czech club Viktoria Ziskov's 3-3 draw with IFK Norrkoping. Ziskov advanced on 4-3 aggregate.


Olimpija Riga of Latvia advanced after playing out a scoreless draw at home to FK Bodo of Norway. Olimpija won the first leg 6-0.

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