Host team Tikvesh is the winner of this year’s traditional memorial tournament Vuko Karov.

photo by GFK Tikvesh Kavadarci: the winners posing with the trophy

Like in the previous 7 editions no foreign team participated, with all three teams being domestic. This time newly top flight promoted Gostivar and second league side Kozhuf joined hosts Tikvesh in honoring the local football legend Vuko Karov.

The tournament kicked-off with Gostivar against Kozhuf 1t 17.00 CET. Just after three minutes a Kozhuf player scored an unbelievable header own goal. The second flight side equalized through the spot, but 5 minutes from time Gostivar’s new summer acquisition from neighboring Serbia, Zehrudin Mehmedović, scored a game winning goal.

It was clear that the second match would be decisive, a top flight teams Tikvesh and Gostivar faced each other. Slovenian attacking midfielder Gal Kurez brought Tikvesh the lead in the 9th minute with Ivan Ivanovski doubling the lead in the 33rd minute. Four minutes later Fahrudin Gjurgjevikj brought Gostivar back in game, but since this tournament is played using the Italian system with each match lasting 45 minutes, it was too late for Gostivar.

In the last match Tikvesh played a goalless draw with Kozhuf, enough to secure the first place. It is only the 2nd title for the hosts. Home player Ivan Ivanovski got the MVP award, while Gostivar’s keeper Amir Jashar took the golden glove award.