FC Ballkani

Last updated

Ballkani
FC Ballkani.svg
Full nameFootball Club Ballkani
Nickname(s)Xhebrailat (The Gabriels)
Founded1947;77 years ago (1947) as Rinia
Ground Theranda City Stadium
Capacity3,000
PresidentArsim Kabashi
Manager Artim Pollozhani
League Kosovo Superleague
2023–24 Kosovo Superleague, 1st of 10 (champions)
Website Club website

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 Football Superleague of Kosovo, which is the top tier of football in the country.

Contents

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, it 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]

Under the guidance of albanian coach Ilir Daja, Ballkani won three consecutive league titles in the seasons 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24. Also, the club qualified for the group stage of 2022-23 UEFA Conference League and 2023-24 UEFA Conference League.

Stadium

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.

Honours

Domestic

Players

Current squad

As of 1 September 2024

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

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Enea Koliçi
2 DF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Geralb Smajli
3 DF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Arbër Potoku (vice-captain)
4 DF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Gentrit Halili
6 MF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Lindon Emërllahu
7 FW Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Alfred Mensah
9 FW Flag of Nigeria.svg  NGA Sunday Adetunji
10 FW Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Almir Kryeziu
11 MF Flag of Algeria.svg  ALG Walid Hamidi
13 GK Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Art Miftari
14 DF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Marsel Ismailgeci
15 MF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Arbnor Halitjaha
16 DF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Gentian Kabashi
19 MF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Engjëll Ajazaj
20 DF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Astrit Thaqi
No.Pos.NationPlayer
21 MF Flag of Austria.svg  AUT Almir Oda
22 FW Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Krenar Dulaj
25 FW Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Bernard Karrica
28 MF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Arjol Bllaca
32 DF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Bajram Jashanica (captain)
34 DF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Merlind Kodra
37 FW Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Giovanni
77 MF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Eris Abedini
88 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Queven
90 DF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Elmando Gjini
92 GK Flag of Montenegro.svg  MNE Damir Ljuljanović
99 FW Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Bleart Tolaj
— MF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Uheid Hoxha
— FW Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Altin Aliji

Academy players with first-team appearances

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

No.Pos.NationPlayer
12 GK Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Malsor Bajraktari
— MF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Loris Kolgeci

Out on loan

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

No.Pos.NationPlayer
17 FW Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Edi Maksutaj(at Vjosa until 30 June 2025)

Personnel

As of 19 January 2021 [2]
Current technical staff
PositionName
Head coach Flag of Albania.svg Ilir Daja
Asisten coach Flag of Kosovo.svg Edon Gashi
Assistant coach Flag of Albania.svg Glen Daja
Assistant coach Flag of Kosovo.svg Ardi Kabashi
Conditional coach Flag of Kosovo.svg Alban Shala
Goalkeeping coach Flag of Kosovo.svg Labinot Qosa
Video analysis Flag of Kosovo.svg Ardi Kabashi
Management
Sporting Director Flag of North Macedonia.svg Omer Bunjaku
Manager officer Flag of Kosovo.svg Idriz Hajrizi
Administrator Flag of Kosovo.svg Florim Elshani
Secretary Flag of Kosovo.svg Arben Osmani
Lawyer Flag of Kosovo.svg Ismal Selimi
Coordinator of football school Flag of Kosovo.svg Driton Mamaj
Marketing and Media Director Flag of Kosovo.svg Kushtrim Reshitaj
Information officer
Marketing and media officer		 Flag of Kosovo.svg Jetullah Kuqi
Security officer Flag of Kosovo.svg Blerim Kuqi
Scoutings Flag of Kosovo.svg Ismet Maksutaj
Flag of Kosovo.svg Astrit Bekteshi
Medical Staff
Physiotherapist Flag of Kosovo.svg Krenar Zenelaj
Flag of Kosovo.svg Arianit Bytyqi
Doctor Flag of Kosovo.svg Hadi Hasanaj
Technical Staff
Kitmanager Flag of Kosovo.svg Meriton Kryeziu
Cashier Flag of Kosovo.svg Arbenita Sejdaj
Operational Support Flag of Kosovo.svg Lirim Lezi
Board members
OfficeName
President Flag of Kosovo.svg Arsim Kabashi
Vice President Flag of Kosovo.svg Visar Maksutaj

List of managers

Ballkani in Europe

By competition

Fully up to date as of match played 9 July 2024

CompetitionPldWDLGFGAGDWin%
European Cup/UEFA Champions League 521257−2040.00
UEFA Europa Conference League 24122104427+17050.00
Total29143124934+15048.28

Matches

SeasonCompetitionRoundOpponentHomeAwayAgg.
2022–23 UEFA Champions League 1Q Flag of Lithuania.svg Žalgiris 1–10–1 ( a.e.t. )1–2
UEFA Europa Conference League 2Q Flag of San Marino.svg La Fiorita 6–04–010–0
3Q Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg KÍ 3–21–2 ( a.e.t. )4–4 (4–3 p)
PO Flag of North Macedonia.svg Shkupi 1–02–13–1
GS Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Slavia Prague 0–12–3
4th
Flag of Romania.svg CFR Cluj 1–10–1
Flag of Turkey.svg Sivasspor 1–24–3
2023–24 UEFA Champions League 1Q Flag of Bulgaria.svg Ludogorets Razgrad 2–00–42–4
UEFA Europa Conference League 2Q Ulster Banner.svg Larne 3–04–17–1
3Q Flag of Gibraltar.svg Lincoln Red Imps 2–03–15–1
PO Flag of Belarus.svg BATE Borisov 4–10–14–2
GS Flag of Croatia.svg Dinamo Zagreb 2–00–3
4th
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Viktoria Plzeň 0–10–1
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Astana 1–20–0
2024–25 UEFA Champions League 1Q Flag of Andorra.svg UE Santa Coloma 1–2 ( a.e.t. )2–13–3 (5–6 p)
UEFA Conference League 2Q Flag of Malta.svg Ħamrun Spartans 0–02–02–0
3Q Ulster Banner.svg Larne 0–11–01–1 (1–4 p)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kosovo national football team</span> Mens national association football team representing Kosovo

The Kosovo national football team represents Kosovo in men's international football. The team is controlled by the Football Federation of Kosovo, the governing body for football in Kosovo, and is under the jurisdiction of FIFA globally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KF Vëllaznimi Gjakovë</span> Kosovo football club

Klubi i Futbollit Vëllaznimi, known simply as Vëllaznimi, is a football club based in Gjakova, Kosovo. They currently play in the second division of football in Kosovo, First Football League of Kosovo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Football Superleague of Kosovo</span> Mens top division association football league in Kosovo

The Football Superleague of Kosovo, also known as the ALBI MALL Superleague of Kosovo for sponsorship reasons with Albi Mall, is the top level of the Kosovar football league system. The Superleague is organized by the Football Federation of Kosovo and the division currently has a 10-team format. The clubs play each other four times during the season for a 36-match schedule. At the end of the season, the bottom two teams in the division are relegated to the second tier, First Football League of Kosovo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FC Besa Peja</span> Football club in Kosovo

Football Club Besa Peja is a football club based in Peja, Kosovo. Their home ground is Shahin Haxhiislami and they compete in the Second Football League of Kosovo. The club went defunct after having lots of financial problems and not being able to climb up the Kosovo football league system, but were refounded the following year after a merger with another club, thus adopting a new name, new colors for the club and a new crest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FC Prishtina</span> Association football club in Pristina, Kosovo

Football Club Prishtina, commonly known as Prishtina, is a professional football club based in Prishtina, Kosovo. The club plays in the Football Superleague of Kosovo. It is the most successful domestic club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KF Trepça '89</span> Kosovo football club

Klubi Futbollistik Trepça '89, commonly known as Trepça '89, is a professional football club based in Mitrovica, Kosovo. The club plays in the First Football League of Kosovo, which is the second tier of football in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FC Vushtrria</span> Association football club in Kosovo

FC Vushtrria is a football club based in Vushtrri, Kosovo. The club was founded in 1922, and currently play their home games at the 7,000 seat capacity Ferki Aliu Stadium in the city of Vushtrri. Notable players to have played for the club include former Albania internationals Armend Dallku, Ahmed Januzi and Kosovo international Milot Rashica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SC Gjilani</span> Kosovo football club

Sport Club Gjilani, commonly known as Gjilani, is a professional football club based in Gjilan, Kosovo. The club play in the Football Superleague of Kosovo, which is the top tier of football in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KF Drenica</span> Football club in Kosovo

KF Drenica, commonly known as Drenica, is a professional football club based in Skënderaj, Kosovo, that competes in the Kosovo First League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FC Ferizaj</span> Football club in Kosovo

Football Club Ferizaj, commonly known as Ferizaj, is a professional football club based in Ferizaj, Kosovo. Starting from the next season, the club will be playing in the Football Superleague of Kosovo, which is the first tier of football in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FC Drita</span> Football club in Kosovo

Football Club Drita, commonly known as Drita, is a professional football club based in Gjilan, Kosovo. The club plays in the Football Superleague of Kosovo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KF Llapi</span> Kosovo football club

Klubi Futbollistik Llapi, commonly known as Llapi, is a professional football club based in Podujevë, Kosovo.

Sport in Kosovo is a tradition and plays a prominent role. Popular sports in Kosovo include football, basketball, volleyball, handball, and rugby, whereas major individual sports include wrestling, judo, swimming, boxing, karate and skiing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FC Feronikeli 74</span> Football club in Kosovo

FC Feronikeli 74, commonly referred to as Feronikeli 74 and also known as Feronikeli is a professional football club based in Drenas, Kosovo. The club play in the Football Superleague of Kosovo, which is the top tier of football in the country.

The 2018–19 FC Drita season was the 19th consecutive edition of Football Club Drita in the topflight of Kosovar football, and contested in Football Superleague of Kosovo and Kosovar Cup.

Blendi Xhemajl Baftiu is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Kosovan club KF Llapi. He has been capped for the Kosovo national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 Football Superleague of Kosovo</span> Football league season

The 2021–22 Football Superleague of Kosovo season, also known as the BKT Superleague of Kosovo for sponsorship reasons with Banka Kombëtare Tregtare was the 23rd season of top-tier football in Kosovo. The season began on 21 August 2021 and ended on 22 May 2022. A total of 10 teams are competing in the league: seven teams from the 2020–21 season and three teams from the 2020–21 First Football League of Kosovo. Prishtina are the defending champions from the previous season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albin Berisha</span> Kosovan footballer (born 2001)

Albin Berisha is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a forward for 3. Liga club Hansa Rostock.

The 2024–25 Football Superleague of Kosovo season, also known as the ALBI MALL Superleague of Kosovo for sponsorship reasons with Albi Mall is the 26th season of top-tier football in Kosovo. The season began on 10 August 2024 and will end in May 2025. Ballkani are the defending champions from the previous season.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Historiku" [History] (in Albanian). KF Ballkani.
  2. ↑ "F.C. Ballkani (kryesia e klubit)" [F.C. Ballkani (the club headship)] (in Albanian). KF Ballkani.
  3. ↑ Vjen dorëheqja e parë në Superligën e Kosovës, Bekim Shotani largohet nga Ballkani - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  4. ↑ Zyrtare: Ballkani dhe Sermaxhaj shkëpusin marrëveshjen - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  5. ↑ Zyrtare: Gani Sejdiu prezantohet te Ballkani - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  6. ↑ Ismet Munishi bëhet trajner i Ballkanit - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.