KF Vllaznia Shkodër

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. It is also the oldest club in Albania which means it is the first club created in Albania. The club have competed in every edition of Albanian Superliga since 1930, which is the top tier of football in Albania, besides in 1956-57,1961-62 and 2018-19 football seasons.

KF Vllaznia Shkodër
Full nameKlubi i Futbollit Vllaznia
Nickname(s)Kuq e Blutë (Red & Blues)
Djepi i Futbollit Shqiptar (Cradle of Albanian football)
Founded16 February 1919 (1919-02-16)
as Shoqëria Sportive Vllaznia (Vllaznia Sports Society)
GroundLoro Boriçi Stadium,
Shkodër, Albania
Capacity16,022[1]
ChairmanMunicipality of Shkodër
ManagerHysen Dedja
LeagueAlbanian Superliga
2018–19Albanian First Division, Group A, 1st (promoted)
WebsiteClub website
Active branches of Vllaznia Shkodër
Football
(Men's)		 Football
(Women's)		 Basketball
Futsal Volleyball
(Men's)		 Volleyball
(Women's)

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 have only been relegated from the Albanian Superliga three times in 1956 due to a disqualification from the Albanian Superliga,in 1961 and for the last time in decades in 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
A 2003 postal stamp dedicated to the 1913 match between Austro-Hungarian Navy and Indipendenca Shkodër teams

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
Left-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, and Luigj Shala (coach) in 1935

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 Round of 16 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]

Vllaznia have been relegated from the Albanian Superliga in a dramatic situation for an elite club with a hundred years of history in the top flight of Albanian football in the 17/18 season, a team that suffered their last demotion almost six decades ago in the early 1960s. However, during the 18/19 season the team managed to promote to the Superliga.

Stadium
Main article: Loro Boriçi 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
AbbreviationVU
Established2005
TypeUltras group
MottoNjë jetë, dy ngjyra, një skuader.
HeadquartersShkodër,  Albania
StandNorth
Affiliations Ultras Beveren
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/vultras

Vllaznia is one of the most popular and recognised teams amongst Albanian football fans in Albania, Kosovo and North 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 3 Albanian Basketball League championships from 2014 to 2016.

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 Superliga:

  • Winners (9): 1945, 1946, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1977–78, 1982–83, 1991–92, 1997–98, 2000–01
  • Runners-up (11): 1932, 1933, 1936, 1937, 1947, 1949, 1974–75, 1996–97, 1998–99, 2002–03, 2008–09

Albanian First Division

  • Winners (2): 1957; 1961–62

Albanian Cup:

Albanian Supercup:

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 Vienna – 13 September 1978/Vllaznia Shkodër 3–1 Dinamo Tbilisi - 29 July 1998
  • Biggest ever European home defeat: Vllaznia Shkodër 0–4 Trabzonspor – 14 July 2007
  • Biggest ever European away victory: Sliema Wanderers 0–4 Vllaznia Shkodër – 30 September 1987
  • Biggest ever European away defeat: Trabzonspor 6–0 Vllaznia Shkodër – 8 July 2007

Albanian records from September 1997

KF Vllaznia in Europe

As of 22 July 2011.

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

World & European Rankings

(As of 1 June 2017)[15]

UEFA club coefficient ranking
RankTeamPoints
398 FC Metalurgi Rustavi1.775
165 KF Vllaznia Shkodër3.825
402 FC Lusitanos1.733
403 Glenavon1.650
404 FK Trakai1.575
405 S.P. Tre Penne1.566
407 Drogheda United F.C.1.565

Current squad
As of 12 February 2020

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 Alen Sherri
2 DF Erdenis Gurishta
4 DF Mevlan Adili
5 DF Godfrey Walusimbi
6 MF Ardit Krymi
7 MF Florind Bardulla
8 MF Hygor
9 FW Simeon Hristov
10 MF Ndriçim Shtubina
11 FW Silvio Zogaj
12 GK Ted Laço
13 DF Renato Malota
No. Position Player
14 MF Arsid Kruja
16 MF Behar Ramadani
17 MF Gilman Lika
21 MF Herald Marku
22 DF Filip Gligorov
23 DF Elmir Lekaj
31 GK Andreja Efremov
33 DF Dajan Shehi
70 FW Sílvio
77 MF Eugen Sidorenco
GK Kristi Qarri
MF Serjan Repaj

Historical list of coaches

Title winning Managers
Name Period Trophies
Ibrahim Dizdari 1945 National Championship
Ernest Halepiani 1946 National Championship
Xhevdet Shaqiri 1971–1978 3 National Championships
Ramazan Rragami 1982–1983 National Championship
Astrit Hafizi 1991–1992 National Championship
Hysen Dedja 1997–1998 Albanian Superliga
Derviš Hadžiosmanović 2000–2006 Albanian Superliga
Agim Canaj 2008–2009 Albanian Cup

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. Gjergj Kola. "Palokë Nika – personazhi historik i sportit Shqiptar" (in Albanian). Shkodra Sport. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  3. "Një historik i shkurtër i futbollit në Shkodër" (in Albanian). Vllaznia.al. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  4. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: National Championship since 1930". giovanniarmillotta.it.
  5. "K.F. Tirana Legjenda Bardhë e Blu". kftirana.info. 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. "Vllaznia kalon në duart e "Gea Sport", Roberto Nava është trajneri i kuqebluve". balkanweb.com. 20 July 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  8. "NOA – Ju lutemi prisni..." noa.al. Archived from the original on 27 March 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  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". ultras-tifo.net. 11 September 2014.
  13. "Vllaznia dhe Tirana, ja sa kushton dhuna". albeu.com. 17 September 2014.
  14. ""Dora e Hekurt" e UEFA-s ndër vite për klubet shqiptare – SuperSport – Pakete Televizive Sportive – Lajme Sportive". supersport.al. 4 August 2015.
  15. "Member associations - UEFA rankings - Club coefficients – UEFA.com". UEFA.com.
  16. Vllaznia prezantohet nesër, bashkia do Nikajn zv.trajner - Panorama (in Albanian)
  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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