VORË, Albania (Interstat) — AF Elbasani opened its Superliga campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Vora on Saturday, narrowly fulfilling statistical projections in a match that saw the home side rally from an early deficit.

The contest, played at Stadiumi Vora in Vorë, began with the visitors seizing the initiative. Against the pre-match odds, Vora found the opening goal in the 28th minute through Sigitas Olberkis, putting the projected underdogs in front and threatening an upset.

The lead was short-lived, however. Just ten minutes later, AF Elbasani responded decisively. Irgi Kasalla leveled the score in the 38th minute, restoring equilibrium and shifting the momentum firmly in favor of the hosts heading into halftime.

The second half continued with AF Elbasani applying consistent pressure, seeking the winner that most pregame models had forecast. The persistence paid off, though the specific details of the decisive goal were not provided in the official match data. The final 2-1 scoreline delivered a winning start for AF Elbasani while extending a difficult beginning to the season for Vora.

The result validated the pregame analytics from Interstat, whose match simulator had precisely predicted the 2-1 outcome. Furthermore, the company’s ELO rating system had given AF Elbasani an 87.40 percent probability of securing the victory, a heavy favorite status they ultimately justified with their comeback performance.

In the broader competitive landscape, the match carried significance for both clubs’ early season trajectories. AF Elbasani begins its Superliga season with a perfect record of one win and no losses, carrying that form across all competitions. For Vora, the search for its first positive result continues, as the club now holds a record of zero wins and one loss both in the Superliga and in all matches this season.

The fixture, dated Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, served as an early indicator of form in Albania’s top flight. AF Elbasani demonstrated the resilience expected of a side tipped for victory, overcoming an early shock to collect all three points. Vora, despite the defeat, showed early fight by taking a lead on the road but will look to convert that into a complete performance in future matches.