Football Club Ballkani (Albanian: Klubi Futbollistik Ballkani), commonly known as Ballkani, is a professional football club based in Suhareka, Kosovo. The club plays in the Kosovo Superleague, which is the top tier of football in the country.
On 25 August 2022, after a victory over Shkupi of North Macedonia, Ballkani made history by qualifying for the group stages of the Europa Conference League; becoming the first ever side from Kosovo to reach the group stages of a UEFA club competition. The following year, they managed to repeat the same achievement and qualified for the 2023–24 edition.
History
The club was established in 1947 under the name Rinia by some athletes whose purpose was to participate in various competitions and tournaments that were organized at that time. In 1952, the club was registered and started competing in official championships. In 1965, it changed the name from KF Rinia to KF Ballkani after Suhareka Chemical and Rubber Industry took the ownership of the club.[1]
The club progressively climbed the Yugoslav league system reaching the Kosovo Provincial League in the season 1973–74. They were relegated, but returned in 1977 and remained in the league until the 1990s. Ballkani was one of the first clubs in Kosovo to leave the league system managed by the Football Association of Yugoslavia, and played instead in the not officially recognized parallel First League of Kosovo until 2000.[1]
In the league organized by the Football Federation of Kosovo, Ballkani played its first match against Liria at Studençan. In the youth levels of Ballkani, many prominent players from Suhareka started their careers, such as Ali Elshani, Arsim Llapatinca, Avni Bytyçi, Bekim Suka, Dervish Shala, Esheref Berisha, Fillim Guraziu, Gafurr Kabashi, Hajrush Berisha, Hevzi Shalaj, Isuf Asllanaj, Isuf Kolgeci, Lulzim Kolgeci, Musli Bylykbashi, Naser Berisha, Nexhat Elshani, Osman Ramadani, Rexhep Kuçi, Salih Hoxha, Urim Bylykbashi, Visar Berisha and many others who made a valuable contribution to the affirmation of football as well as other human values and some still give their contribution to football pitches as managers and in various sports posts.[1]
After years of competing in the top tier of Kosovan football, Ballkani won their first league title in the 2021–22 season. Under the management of Ilir Daja, the team secured the trophy with several games remaining in the season. The club successfully defended their title in the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons, marking a period of domestic hegemony.
European competitions
FC Ballkani achieved a major breakthrough for Kosovan football during the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League. After being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round by Žalgiris, the team transferred to the Conference League. They defeated S.P. La Fiorita, KÍ Klaksvík, and KF Shkupi in the qualifying rounds to become the first club from Kosovo to reach the group stages of a UEFA club competition.
In the 2022–23 group stage, Ballkani was drawn in Group G alongside SK Slavia Prague, CFR Cluj, and Sivasspor. They finished the group with 4 points.
The club plays its home matches at the Theranda City Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Suhareka, Kosovo. The stadium has a capacity of 1,500 people all-seater. However, for their inaugural European campaign, home matches were played in Pristina at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium, as the city's stadium in Suhareka did not meet UEFA requirements.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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