KF Vllaznia Shkodër

For other uses, see Bashkimi (disambiguation).
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 Vllaznia Sports Society
Ground Loro Boriçi Stadium,
Shkodër, Albania
Ground Capacity 16,022[1]
Chairman Voltana Ademi
Manager Armando Cungu
League Albanian Superliga
2016–17 Albanian Superliga, 4th
Website Club home page
Active branches of Vllaznia Shkodër
Football (Men's) Football (Women's) Basketball
Futsal Volleyball (Men's) Volleyball (Women's)

Klubi I Futbollit Vllaznia Shkodër, commonly known 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 are also one of only two Albanian clubs to have never been relegated from the Albanian Superliga, along with KF Tirana.

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 WW2, between the years 1939 and 1942, AFA 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 AFA 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, 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, AFA 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 AFA 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 the 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 Skenderbeu Korçe 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] In July, R.Nava and negotiates with S.S.C. Napoli to loan Sebastián Sosa (footballer, born 1994) for one year in Shkodër. After successful negotiations with SSC Napoli,Nava transfers Sebastián Rodríguez (footballer) and Giorginho Aguirre.[8]

Stadium

Loro Boriçi Stadium

Main article: Loro Boriçi Stadium


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 A.S Roma and S.S. 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
Affiliations Tifozat Kuq e Zi
Website 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.

Rivalries

Vllaznia's all time rivals are KF Tirana who are the most successful side in Albanian football. Both sides are the only teams not to have been relegated from the top tier of Albanian football. 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 are 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, but fans of both teams have good relations. Other derbies include the North Albanian derbies against KF Laçi and FK 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.

Honours

Albanian Super League:

Albanian Cup:

Albanian Supercup:

Records

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

World & European Rankings

(As of 01 June 2016)[15]

UEFA club coefficient ranking

Rank Team Points
399Republic of Ireland Bohemian1.840
401Latvia Jelgava1.825
402Armenia Mika1.825
403Albania Teuta Durrës1.825
404Albania KF Vllaznia1.825
405Finland FC Lahti1.730
406Finland SJK1.730
407Finland Mairehamn1.730
408Gibraltar Lincoln1.700

Current squad

As of 29 June 2016[16]

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

No. Position Player
2 Albania DF Erdenis Gurishta
3 Albania DF Antonio Marku
5 Albania MF Alsid Tafili
6 Albania MF Ardit Krymi
7 Albania MF Florind Bardulla
8 Albania MF Berat Ahmeti
9 Albania FW Arenc Dibra
10 Albania MF Ndriçim Shtubina
11 Albania FW Eraldo Çinari
12 Albania GK Zamir Vjerdha
14 Albania FW Arlind Kalaja
17 Albania FW Denis Dyca
18 Albania DF Ronaldo Rudović
No. Position Player
21 Albania DF Endri Vrapi
23 Albania DF Denis Pjeshka
26 Albania MF Ambroz Kapaklija
31 Albania GK Erind Selimaj
31 Albania GK Alen Sherri
59 Montenegro DF Stefan Cicmil
Montenegro GK Jasmin Agovic
Albania DF Olsi Gocaj
Albania FW Bekim Erkoceviç
Albania FW Brunild Pepa
Albania MF Yll Hoxha
Albania DF Ditmar Bicaj
Croatia MF Ivor Weitzer

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 Ramazan Rragami 1982–1983 National Championship
Albania Astrit Hafizi 1991–1992 National Championship
Albania Hysen Dedja 1997–1998 Albanian Superliga
Montenegro Derviš Hadžiosmanović 2000–2001 Albanian Superliga
Montenegro Derviš Hadžiosmanović 2003–2004
Montenegro Derviš Hadžiosmanović 2005–2006
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-

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. ↑ RSSSF
  5. ↑ http://www.kftirana.info/history.html
  6. ↑ AFA's General Assembly to consider the 3 war championships
  7. ↑ http://www.balkanweb.com/sport/2692/vllaznia-kalon-ne-duart-e-gea-sport-roberto-nava-eshte-trajneri-i-kuqebluve-201966.html
  8. ↑ http://www.noa.al/artikull/mediat-italiane-sebastian-sosa-te-vllaznia/435389.html
  9. ↑ Edi Rama: Doshi, Frroku e Çela, merrni Vllazninë. “Loro Boriçi”, arenë europiane
  10. ↑ Panorama (24 October 2014). "Edi Rama: UEFA nuk dha drejtësi, Serbinë e presim në "Loro Boricin" 20 mijë vendesh". Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  11. ↑ http://top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=298201#k1
  12. ↑ http://www.ultras-tifo.net/news/2772-riots-vllaznia-shkoder-tirana-11092014.html
  13. ↑ http://sport.albeu.com/shqiperi/vllaznia-dhe-tirana-ja-sa-kushton-dhuna/170428/
  14. ↑ Game had finished 1–0
  15. ↑
  16. ↑ Albania – KS Vllaznia Shkodër – Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news – Soccerway
  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.

External links

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