KF Vllaznia Shkodër

KF Vllaznia Shkodër
Full name Klubi i futbollit Vllaznia
Nickname(s) Kuq e Blutë (Red & Blues)
Djepi i Futbollit Shqiptar (Cradle of Albanian football)
Founded 16 February 1919 (1919-02-16)
as Shoqëria Sportive Vllaznia (Vllaznia Sports Society)
Ground Loro Boriçi Stadium,
Shkodër, Albania
Capacity 16,022[1]
Chairman Municipality of Shkodër
Manager Hasan Lika
League Albanian First Division
2017–18 Albanian Superliga, 9th (relegated)
Website Club website

Klubi I Futbollit Vllaznia Shkodër, commonly known as Vllaznia is an Albanian football club based in the city of Shkodër. It is the association football branch of the Vllaznia Sports Club, which was founded on 16 February 1919. The club competes have competed in every edition of Albanian Superliga since 1930, which is the top tier of football in Albania.

Vllaznia is one of the most successful football clubs in Albania, having won nine Albanian Superliga titles, six Albanian Cups and two Albanian Supercups. They were also the only Albanian club to have never been relegated from the Albanian Superliga until 2018.

The club's ground has been the Loro Boriçi Stadium since it was built in 1952, which is named after former Vllaznia and Albania national team captain. In 2016, the stadium was rebuilt into modern all-seater at the cost of €17 million, and it now has a capacity of 16,022, making it the largest stadium in Albania and the current home of the national team.

History

Background history

Football was introduced to the city of Shkodër in 1908, when a Maltese priest, Father Gut Ruter, brought a football into the city, which is considered to be the first time football was played in the country. The first football club formed in Albania was Indipendenca Shkodër, which began operating in 1912 under the guidance of founder Palokë Nika, who was also the captain of the team.[2] The first football game organised in city took place in October 1913 between Indipendenca Shkodër and the occupying Austro-Hungarian Imperial Navy. It was the first time a football team composed of Albanians had played foreigners, making it the first international game to ever take place involving an Albanian team, as well as being the first 90-minute football game to be played with two 45 minute halves in the country. Indipendenca Shkodër lost the game 2–1, with the captain Palokë Nika scoring the only goal for the home side.[2][3]

Early history

From left to right: Kin Bushati (goalkeeper), Ernest Halepiani, Gjelosh Gjeka, Pjeter Gjoka, Qazim Dervishi (captain), Muhamet Halili, Asim Golemi, Luigj Radoja, Gjon Kiri, Myzafer Pipa, Hile Staka, Luigj Shala (coach)

Following the rise in popularity of football in the city, this prompted Palokë Nika along with other sportspeople in the city to form a club that would cater for many sports including football and on 16 February 1919 the Vllaznia Sports Society was formed. They played games against other Albanian teams, notably playing KF Tirana in their first ever game in October 1920. The club also played international games, the first of which was against the occupying Italian troops on 23 May, who beat Vllaznia 1–0. Later in the year for Albanian Independence Day on 28 November Vllaznia organised another football game against an Italian selection again, this time losing 5–1. The club's first game outside of Albania was played on 31 August 1922 in Montenegro against FK Lovćen Cetinje, a match which they lost 4–0.[2] The club would continue to play domestic friendly games until the creation of the Albanian Football Association in 1930 and the start of the Kategoria e Parë in the same year.[3]

Championships of World War II

During the peak of World War II, between the years 1939 and 1942, Albanian Football Association organized three championships, in 1939, 1940 and 1942.[4] According to all information gathered in years from Albanian and foreign historians, players and veterans who lived these events, clear evidence proves the existence of these championships at that time, as well as the existence of three trophies given from Albanian Football Association officials themselves. One must not forget that 1942 Albanian Superliga had a nationwide participation – the first and the only one so far involving teams from both countries as Albania and Kosovo. KS Vllaznia won one such championship whilst KF Tirana won the other two championships in 1939 & 1942.[5] This would update the championship trophies won by these clubs to respectively 10 and 26 at the present time.

After years of silence, Albanian Football Association have appointed a dedicated commission with 5 members, which is involved in gathering enough evidence in this regard. And finally, after a significant amount of evidence has been produced, it has been given an official date, when Albanian Football Association intend to officially recognize these 3 championships in their next General Assembly, to be held in February, 2013.[6]

In 1958 the club was renamed "KS Vllaznia". In the European Cup for Champions 1978/79 they beat Austrian team Austria Wien (who went on to the semifinals) 2–0 at home but lost 3–4 on aggregate. In the Cup Winners Cup of 1987/88 they reached the second round after beating Sliema Wanderes from Malta in both games (aggregate 6–0). In the 2001/2002 UEFA Champions league qualifying they beat KR Reykjavik from Iceland 2–1 in Reykjavik and 1–0 in Tirana with two goals from Klodian Duro. In next round KF Vllaznia were eliminated by the Turkish club Galatasaray 2–0 in Istanbul and 1–4 in Tirana. German Uli Schulze, a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winner with 1. FC Magdeburg in 1974, was appointed as new coach in summer 2006. He was later replaced by Mirel Josa who is currently at his third spell coaching the team.

2000s

In the 2000s. Vllaznia went through changes, in 2003 the President of Vllaznia, Myftar Cela was shot in Montenegro. The President was loved by every Vllaznia fan, because of his generosity and he loved the team. After Cela died, a group of businessmen gathered to help the team.

In 2006. Albanian businessman, Valter Fushaj, became Vllaznia President. Since then he has been criticized by the fans for corruption and not wanting the best for the team.

In the 2009–2010. Vllaznia went through some rough changes; having to change 3 coaches and also replacing players. Vllaznia went to the bottom of the table, and having been criticized by the fans, Vllaznia went through some bad times.

On 17 April 2010. Vllaznia won 3–2 against Skënderbeu Korçë but the result was changed to a 2–0 loss for Vllaznia. This was because the player Ansi Nika wasn't on the team roster but was picked for the team anyway. This led to protests by the fans, making accusations that the Vllaznia staff and the President Valter Fushaj specifically did it for bribing reasons.

GEA Sport Era

Roberto Nava, the president of GEA Sport SA. Bought 50% of shares of KF Vllaznia[7] and in July, Nava negotiates with Napoli to loan Sebastián Sosa for one year in Shkodër. After successful negotiations with Napoli, Nava transfers Sebastián Rodríguez and Giorginho Aguirre.[8]

Stadium

Loro Boriçi Stadium after reconstruction

The home ground of the club is called "Loro Borici". The name comes from one of the club's and Albania's greatest footballer to ever play, Loro played with some of the biggest teams at that time, with Roma and Lazio. The striker was known for his goalscoring abilities which he displayed in the Serie A after he left Vllaznia in the 1930s.

Loro Boriçi stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Shkodër, Albania. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Vllaznia Shkodër. The stadium holds about 16,000 spectators and was reconstructed in 2001. It is named in honour of Loro Boriçi, famous player in the 1940s and 1950s. It is also the second largest stadium in Albania behind the Qemal Stafa Stadium in Tirana which seats 19,600.

In October 2014, Edi Rama, prime minister of Albania, promised the reconstruction of the stadium, which was last renovated in 2001.[9] He said that the stadium will be with a renewed capacity of about 20,000 spectators.[10]

On 3 May 2015, construction works officially started, bringing the stadium to a renewed capacity of 17,500 seats.[11]

During the 2015–16 Albanian Superliga season, Loro Boriçi Stadium was under re-construction, therefore Vllaznia used Ismail Xhemali Stadium in Pukë at the beginning of the season and then switched to Reshit Rusi Stadium in Shkodër for much of the season.

Fans

Vllaznit Ultras
Abbreviation VU
Established 2005
Type Ultras group
Motto Një jetë, Dy Ngjyra, Një Skuader
Headquarters Shkodër,  Albania
Stand North
Affiliations Belgium Ultras Beveren
Website https://www.facebook.com/vultras

Vllaznia is one of the most popular and recognised teams amongst Albanian football fans in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia. The Ultras group of Vllaznia are known as 'Vllaznit Ultras' and were the first official ultras fan base in Albania who were created in 2005. They have strong ties with other Albanian Ultra groups such as the Ultras Guerrils who support KF Partizani Tirana and Armata E Veriut of FK Kukësi. It is known that Vllaznit Ultras meet up with opposition fans to greet each other before and after a game. Vllaznit Ultras are not just present in the football scene, they also attend Vllaznia's basketball matches to show their full support and love for Vllaznia at any sporting level. Fans of Vllaznia have always attended matches in high quantities, but in recent years the number of fans attending games has decreased due to the poor management and loss of confidence in the team. They have ties with Ultras Beveren, the supporters of Belgian team Waasland-Beveren

Despite the low number of fans at Vllaznia's football games, they have recently turned up in strong numbers for the clubs basketball team, BC Vllaznia, due to their outstanding form in the past few years, having won the past 3 Albanian Basketball League championships.

Rivalries

Vllaznia's all time rivals are KF Tirana who are the most successful side in Albanian football. Both teams had been the only two in Albania to not have been relegated from the top tier of Albanian football, until on the final match day of 2017, where both sides fought out who would survive and go down in front of a full crowd (Vllaznia 0-0 Tirana), Tirana were relegated. This rivalry is known as the "All-time Albanian derby". The rivalry is mainly in existence because both sides were the first two football teams to be found in Albania, where Vllaznia was found in 1919, whilst KF Tirana was found in 1920. Another reason why this rivalry potentially exists is due to the historic popularity between these two sides. Vllaznia and Tirana were the only sides in Albania to have never been relegated in the Albanian Superliga, they both hold 78 official seasons and 81 unofficial seasons (including three unofficial championships during World War II) in Albanian top flight football going into the 2016-17 Albanian Superliga season.

Both ultra groups, the Vllaznit Ultras and Tirona Fanatics are known for their fierce rivalry in the stands and off the pitch, which was shown in a match played in Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër on 11 September 2014.[12] During this game there was a lot of tension which began in the second half of the game. The game was interrupted when Tirana's fans started throwing bottles and other objects to show their anger towards the referee's decisions. Late on, Tirana grabbed an equaliser through Ervin Bulku to level 1–1, and this sparked a huge brawl between the fans. Tirana fans ran onto the pitch and seemingly started throwing chairs and bottles at Vllaznia fans. From then on Vllaznia fans started attacking Tirana fans inside and outside of the stadium. Vllaznia's fans gave an official statement on Vllaznia's official Facebook page where they stated that what Tirana fans did was seen as an embarrassment and an insult to people of Shkodra and Albanian football, therefore action was needed. Amongst some of the injured people was Tirana's president, Refik Halili who was hit by a fan of Tirana with a stone. Vllaznia fans were given a 10 match ban from attending home games, whilst Tirana were given 15.[13]

Vllaznia are also rivals with Flamurtari Vlorë, but fans of both teams have good relations. Other derbies include the North Albanian derbies against Laçi and Kukësi. Laçi fans insist that the North Albanian derby is between Laçi and Vllaznia, whereas fans of Kukësi believe it is between Kukësi and Vllaznia. However history suggests that Besëlidhja Lezhë and Vllaznia were the most popular Northern Albanian sides decades ago.

Honours

Albanian Super League:

Albanian First Division

  • Winners (2): 1957; 1961-62

Albanian Cup:

  • Winners (6): 1964–65, 1971–72, 1978–79, 1980–81, 1986–87, 2007–08
  • Runners-up (8): 1938–39, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1985–86, 1998–99, 2005–06, 2009–10

Albanian Supercup:

  • Winners (2): 1998, 2001
  • Runners-up (2): 1992, 2008

Records

  • Biggest ever home league victory: Vllaznia Shkodër 8–0 Flamurtari Vlorë – 6 February 1999
  • Biggest ever home league defeat: Vllaznia Shkodër 0–4 Dinamo Tirana – 25 September 2010
  • Biggest ever away league victory: KF Laçi 1–7 Vllaznia Shkodër – 18 December 2004 / KF Tirana 0–6 Vllaznia Shkodër - (1947)
  • Biggest ever away league defeat: KF Tirana 5–1 Vllaznia Shkodër – 28 February 2004
  • Biggest ever European home victory: Vllaznia Shkodër 2–0 Austria Austria Vienna – 13 September 1978/Vllaznia Shkodër 3-1 Georgia (country) Dinamo Tbilisi - 29 July 1998
  • Biggest ever European home defeat: Vllaznia Shkodër 0–4 Turkey Trabzonspor – 14 July 2007
  • Biggest ever European away victory:Malta Sliema Wanderers 0–4 Vllaznia Shkodër – 30 September 1987
  • Biggest ever European away defeat: Turkey Trabzonspor 6–0 Vllaznia Shkodër – 8 July 2007

Albanian records from September 1997

KF Vllaznia in Europe

As of July 22, 2011.

Season Competition Round Country Club Home Away
1978–79 UEFA European Cup 1R Austria Austria Wien 2–0 1–4
1987–88 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1R Malta Sliema Wanderers 2–0 4–0
2R Finland RoPS 0–1 0–1
1991–92 UEFA Cup 1R Greece AEK Athens 0–1 0–2
1998–99 UEFA Champions League QR Georgia (country) FC Dinamo Tbilisi 3–1 0–3 (awarded)[14]
1999–00 UEFA Cup QR Slovakia Spartak Trnava 1–1 0–2
2000 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1R Cyprus Nea Salamis FC 1–2 1–4
2001–02 UEFA Champions League 1QR Iceland KR Reykjavik 1–0 1–2
2QR Turkey Galatasaray 1–4 0–2
2003–04 UEFA Cup QR Scotland Dundee FC 0–2 0–4
2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1R Israel Hapoel Beer Sheva 1–2 3–0
2R Croatia NK Slaven Belupo 1–0 0–2
2007 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1R Croatia NK Zagreb 1–0 1–2
2R Turkey Trabzonspor 0–4 0–6
2008–09 UEFA Cup 1QR Slovenia FC Koper 0–0 2–1
2QR Italy S.S.C. Napoli 0–3 0–5
2009–10 UEFA Europa League 1QR Republic of Ireland Sligo Rovers 1–1 2–1
2QR Austria Rapid Wien 0–3 0–5
2011–12 UEFA Europa League 1QR Malta Birkirkara F.C. 1–1 1–0
2QR Switzerland FC Thun 0–0 1–2
  • QR = Qualifying Round
  • 1R = 1st Round
  • 2R = 2nd Round

World & European Rankings

(As of 01 June 2017)[15]

UEFA club coefficient ranking

RankTeamPoints
398Georgia (country) FC Metalurgi Rustavi1.775
400Albania KF Vllaznia1.825
402Andorra FC Lusitanos1.733
403Northern Ireland Glenavon1.650
404Lithuania FK Trakai1.575
405San Marino S.P. Tre Penne1.566
407Republic of Ireland Drogheda United F.C.1.565

Current squad

As of 7 January 2018[16]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Albania GK Erind Selimaj
2 Albania DF Erdenis Gurishta
3 Albania DF Antonio Marku
5 Albania DF Denis Pjeshka
6 Albania MF Ardit Krymi
7 Albania MF Florind Bardulla
9 Albania FW Belajdi Pusi
11 Albania FW Eraldo Çinari
17 Albania FW Gilman Lika (Captain)
18 Nigeria MF Nurudeen Orelesi
19 Albania FW Arlind Kalaja
No. Position Player
20 Albania MF Erjon Vucaj
21 Albania DF Olsi Gocaj
22 Albania FW Andi Ribaj
31 Albania GK Alen Sherri
40 Albania MF Alsid Tafili (Vice-captain)
-- Albania DF Renato Malota
-- Republic of Macedonia DF Sedat Berisha
-- Albania DF Ergis Mersini
–– Albania FW Xhevahir Sukaj
–– Albania FW Arsen Hajdari

Reserve team

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
Albania GK Zamir Vjerdha
Albania GK Eldi Hasani
Albania DF Denis Balaj
Albania DF Khaled Hoxha
Albania DF Saimir Hyseni
Albania DF Enes Isufi
Albania DF Mario Kola
Albania DF Armenis Kukaj
Albania DF Paulo Markolaj
Albania DF Denis Miloti
Albania DF Izmir Pelinku
Albania DF Suad Prençi
Albania DF Samet Ruqi
Albania MF Suad Bega
No. Position Player
Albania MF Bekim Dema
Albania MF Ari Djepaxhia
Albania MF Ibrahim Hallunaj
Albania MF Soni Hoti
Albania MF Ambroz Kapaklija
Albania MF Gjorgj Kushi
Albania MF Sahmet Lushaj
Albania MF Admir Mehja
Albania MF Grisel Tula
Albania FW Arenc Dibra
Albania FW Bekim Erkoceviç
88 Albania FW Fation Kiri
Albania FW Arbjas Hasani

Managers

Name Period Trophies
Albania Ibrahim Dizdari 1945 National Championship
Albania Ernest Halepiani 1946 National Championship
Albania Xhevdet Shaqiri 1971–1978 3 National Championships
Albania Medin Zhega 1980-1982
Albania Ramazan Rragami 1982–1983 National Championship
Albania Astrit Hafizi 1991–1992 National Championship
Albania Hysen Dedja 1997–1998 Albanian Superliga
Montenegro Derviš Hadžiosmanović 2000–2006 Albanian Superliga
Germany Ulrich Schulze 2006
Albania Mirel Josa 2006–2008
Montenegro Derviš Hadžiosmanović 2008
Albania Agim Canaj 2008–2009 Albanian Cup
Albania Hasan Lika 2009
Montenegro Derviš Hadžiosmanović 2009
Albania Roland Luçi 2009
Albania Edi Martini 2009–2010
Montenegro Mojaš Radonjić 2010
Albania Mirel Josa 2010–2011
Albania Elvis Plori 2011
Albania Rudi Vata 2011–2012
Albania Armir Grimaj 2012
Albania Shpëtim Duro 2012–2013
Albania Artan Bushati 2013
Albania Agim Canaj 2013–2014
Albania Samuel Nikaj 2014
Montenegro Derviš Hadžiosmanović 2014
Italy Baldo Raineri 2014–2015
Albania Luan Zmijani 2015–2016
Albania Armando Cungu 2016-2017
Albania Ernest Gjoka 19 Oct 2017 - Present

Notable former youth players

Women's team

A women's team was created in 2013. When three time Albanian champion KF Ada Velipojë disestablished their women's team, the whole team moved to Vllaznia and formed a new women's section.[17] The team then won the 2013–14 Albanian women's football championship and competed in the 2014–15 UEFA Women's Champions League. Vllaznia was the first Albanian team draw or win a match when they beat Faroes side KI 2–1. UEFA considers them as a successor team and credits Ada's results to them.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "World Stadiums – Stadiums in Albania". World Stadiums. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 Gjergj Kola. "Palokë Nika – personazhi historik i sportit Shqiptar" (in Albanian). Shkodra Sport. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
  3. 1 2 "Një historik i shkurtër i futbollit në Shkodër" (in Albanian). Vllaznia.al. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
  4. ↑ "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: National Championship since 1930". giovanniarmillotta.it.
  5. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 November 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "AFA's General Assembly to consider the 3 war championships". Archived from the original on 31 December 2012.
  7. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "NOA - Ju lutemi prisni..." noa.al.
  9. ↑ "Edi Rama: Doshi, Frroku e Çela, merrni Vllazninë. "Loro Boriçi", arenë europiane". Archived from the original on 14 October 2014.
  10. ↑ Panorama (24 October 2014). "Edi Rama: UEFA nuk dha drejtësi, Serbinë e presim në "Loro Boricin" 20 mijë vendesh". Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  11. ↑ "Nisin punimet në "Loro Boriçi". Rama: Gati për ndeshjen me Serbinë - Lajme - Top Channel". top-channel.tv.
  12. ↑ "RIOTS: Vllaznia Shkodër - Tirana 11.09.2014".
  13. ↑ "Vllaznia dhe Tirana, ja sa kushton dhuna".
  14. ↑ ""Dora e Hekurt" e UEFA-s ndër vite për klubet shqiptare - SuperSport - Pakete Televizive Sportive - Lajme Sportive". 4 August 2015.
  15. ↑ uefa.com. "Member associations - UEFA rankings - Club coefficients – UEFA.com". UEFA.com.
  16. ↑ "Albania - KS Vllaznia Shkodër - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
  17. ↑ "Vllaznia is winter champion" (in Albanian). albaniansport.net. 14 November 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2014. Team Shkodra, which in fact is the Ada Velipojë last season
  18. ↑ "Surprises as qualifying round opens season". UEFA. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
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