Besa Kavajë

Early years (1925–1944)

Klubi Sportiv Besa was founded on 25 October 1925 originally as "Shoqata Kulturore-Sportive Adriatiku" which was a multi-disciplinary sports club based in Kavajë, Albania. In 1930 the club changed its name to "Sport Klub Kavajë". That same year the football team played its first ever friendly at Mali i Robit, Golem against an amateur team formed of students from the Albanian-American Institute of Agriculture. A short time later SK Kavajë joined the newly formed Albanian Football Association and participated in the 1930 second tier championship where they would repeat their participation for the next two seasons before joining the top tier Kategoria e Parë in 1933. In their first top flight championship SK Kavajë finished last in the 5 team league, losing 7 games and winning just one, a 2–1 victory over local rivals Teuta Durrës.^[1]

Club logo in 1930 when it joined the newly formed Albanian Football Association.

In 1935 the club took the shape of an organized one under the leadership of chairman Irfan Berati. The vice-chairman was Fehmi Kazazi, the secretary was Dervish Cara, the committee members were Sulejman Karkini and Reshat Asllani, the cashier was Rasim Sulejmani and Dhori Fora was in charge of the trade of craft. The following year, the club was renamed "Besa Kavajë" also known as "Besa Sport Klub", derived from the name Besa, the Albanian cultural precept meaning "to keep the promise" and "word of honor".

During World War II many members of the club lost their lives as soldiers, including Mehmet Babamusta, Adil Alushi, Sami Karriqi and Millan Radosalja. The activities of the club became very limited and support came primarily from the local residents of the city. There were no official competitions held in Albania at this time.

Rise (1945–1965)

But between 1945 and 1950 the club experienced a revival which was due to young talented players coming through the ranks of the youth teams, including the likes of Qamil Teliti who went on to receive national success. During the 1945–46 season the club won the unofficial Sports Federation President's Cup. Many of the club's players during the late 40s would go on to play for the Albanian national team, including Qamil Teliti, who scored the winning goal against Romania that won Albania the 1946 Balkan Cup.

In 1958 the club achieved a second-place finish in the top tier Albanian Championship, narrowly losing out to Partizani Tirana for the title by one point.^[2] Also during the 1958 season they reached the semi final of the Albanian Cup, again losing out to eventual winners Partizani Tirana. The club would go on to reach the finals of the Albanian Cup in 1961, losing to Partizani Tirana once again and also the following season in 1962–63, where they lost on penalties to KF Tirana. In 1963 Besa won the unofficial cup competition held by the 'Sport' newspaper, and in 1965 it won the 'Bashkimi' newspaper competition.^[3]

Golden generation (1965–1975)

The period between 1965 and 1975 has been called the golden generation of football in Kavajë, due to the domestic achievements especially in the Albanian Cup which resulted in the club's first ever European games. In 1971 they finished as runners-up in the Albanian Cup after losing 2–0 in the finals to Dinamo Tirana. They repeated this feat the following year, losing on penalties in the cup final following a 2–2 draw with Vllaznia Shkodër, but as Vllaznia also won the league in that same year, this gave Besa the opportunity to participate in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in the 1972–73 season.

Their first European opponents were Danish side, Fremad Amager, who Besa managed to overcome on away goals following a 1–1 draw away in Copenhagen and a goalless draw at home. In the next round however they were beaten by Scottish side Hibernian, whom they lost to on aggregate 8–2, following a 7–1 away loss and a 1–1 draw at home. The end of the golden generation era was marked with the completion of the club's first purpose built stadium, Besa Stadium. Construction was completed in 1974 and the new stadium had a capacity to seat 9000 spectators.

Present time

Besa confirmed their place in the 2007–08 UEFA Cup after a 3–2 win against neighbours KS Teuta in the 2006–07 Albanian Cup final. They met Bežanija of Serbia in the first qualifying round, drawing 2–2 away and 0–0 at home to progress on away goals. In the second qualifying round they fell 3–0 in each leg to Bulgarian side Litex Lovech. In 2008, they qualified for the Intertoto Cup due to their third-place finish in the league, drawing Ethnikos Achna 0–0 at home and 1–1 in Cyprus and continued on away goals. In the 2nd round of the Intertoto cup they were eliminated by Grasshopper Zürich from Switzerland.

Season call-ups

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

No. Position Player 7 MF Ervin Hasalliu 5 DF Edmond Bilali

Besa U-19

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

No. Position Player 2 DF Klei Cara (captain) 3 DF Alis Sula 4 DF Stiven Hyka 5 DF Denis Brahimaj 7 DF Sali Berberi 8 MF Andi Efica 10 MF Enea Hoxha 11 FW Franc Xhihani 12 GK Bruno Puja 18 MF Emiljano Masha 6 DF Klodian Shaba 9 DF Florian Habilaj 14 GK Bruno Borakaj 15 DF Atnan Qerolla 6 DF Muhamed Kura 32 FW Haxhi Pajona 20 FW Frenki Harizaj

Besa U-17

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

No. Position Player 1 GK Ilir Dabjani 3 DF Arlind Ceka 4 DF Rei Xhindoli 5 DF Banush Kazazi 9 FW Irsi Kasa 11 MF Flavio Qarri 19 DF Arildo Basha 16 MF Alket Gjoci 17 MF Ergys Gjongecaj

No. Position Player 21 MF Tahir Daja 2 DF Daniel Xherri 7 FW Rexhinaldo Kola 10 DF Aldo Vogli 12 GK Myhydar Gjoni 14 MF Alessandro Kacbufi 15 MF Jeton Krasniqi 18 FW Tedi Cara (captain) 20 FW Emir Damarja