Tirana Neptun edged past Vllaznia in a tightly contested Albania Super League battle on May 3, 2026, securing an 87-81 victory on home court. The win was a testament to Tirana Neptun's resilience and composure under pressure, as they overcame a determined Vllaznia side that fought until the final buzzer.

The match was a back-and-forth affair from the opening quarter, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to establish a significant lead. Tirana Neptun's home crowd provided a vocal boost, but Vllaznia matched their intensity with disciplined defense and timely scoring. The first half ended with the hosts holding a narrow four-point advantage, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.

Clutch Fourth Quarter

The pivotal moment came in the final period, where Tirana Neptun elevated their defensive pressure and executed crucial possessions down the stretch. After Vllaznia briefly took the lead with under five minutes remaining, the home side responded with a 12-4 run that swung the momentum decisively in their favor. Key free-throw shooting in the closing minutes sealed the victory, as Tirana Neptun converted 8 of 10 attempts in the last two minutes to keep Vllaznia at bay.

Key Contributors

Tirana Neptun's success was built on a collective effort, with multiple players stepping up in critical moments. Their backcourt duo combined for 38 points, controlling the tempo and making smart decisions against Vllaznia's aggressive defense. The frontcourt contributed crucial rebounds, outrebounding Vllaznia 38-34 and limiting second-chance opportunities. For Vllaznia, their leading scorer poured in 26 points but received insufficient support from the supporting cast, despite a valiant effort.

• Tirana Neptun shot 46% from the field and 35% from three-point range
• The home team dominated points in the paint (42-32)
• Vllaznia committed 14 turnovers, leading to 18 points for Tirana Neptun
• Free-throw shooting was decisive: Tirana Neptun made 21 of 27 (78%) to Vllaznia's 15 of 22 (68%)

League Standings Context

This victory is significant for Tirana Neptun's aspirations in the Albania Super League, providing valuable momentum as they navigate a competitive season. Vllaznia, despite the loss, demonstrated they can compete with the league's top teams and will look to build on this performance in upcoming fixtures. The match highlighted the growing competitiveness of Albanian basketball and the intensity of the Super League title race.