FK Partizani Tirana

Last updated
FK Partizani
Partizani Tirana Club Logo.svg
Full nameFutboll Klub Partizani
Nickname(s)Demat e Kuq (Red Bulls)
FoundedFebruary 4, 1946;78 years ago (1946-02-04)
Ground Arena e Demave
Capacity4,500
Chairman Gazmend Demi
Coach Orges Shehi
League Kategoria Superiore
2022–23 Kategoria Superiore, 1st of 10 (champions)
Website Club website
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

Futboll Klub Partizani, or FK Partizani for short, is an Albanian professional football club based in Tirana, that competes in the Kategoria Superiore. Founded in 1946, the club was historically affiliated to the Albanian army. Partizani's home ground is the newly built stadium at Partizani Complex. The club also uses Arena Kombëtare also known as Air Albania stadium for matches in European competitions and major domestic football derbies in Albania.

Contents

The club first competed in an official competition in 1947 where they won the Albania National Championship, thus being crowned the champions of Albania in their debut season as well as the following two seasons. [1] In total the club have been national champions on 17 occasions between 1947 and 2023, which is the last time the club won the Kategoria Superiore. They have won 18 other officially recognised domestic honours, including 15 Albanian Cups as well as Second Division. They are also the only Albanian club side to have won an international football competition through their 1970 Balkans Cup campaign in which they beat Bulgarian side Beroe Stara Zagora in the final.

History

Foundation (1945–1946)

FK Partizani Tirana was officially founded on 4 February 1946 soon after the end of World War II and the liberation of Albania. However, one year earlier in 1945, there had been two military division teams competing in the first National Championship following the end of World War II. The teams were called Ylli Shkodër and Liria Korçë, and they were both dissolved as clubs at the end of the season, with their best players moving to Tiranë to join Ushtria, which literally translates to The Army. Ushtria played their first friendly game on 13 January 1946 against the reigning champions of Albania Vllaznia Shkodër, in a game that ended in a goalless draw in Tiranë that was played during heavy rainfall. The team played their first ever match in distinctive red shirts with each player's initials on their chests. The club's first ever lineup was Alfred Bonati, Luga, Tepelia, Xhavit Shyqyri Demneri, Besim Fagu, Rexhepi, Lutfi Hoxha, Qamil Teliti, Kavaja, Hamdi Bakalli and Bylyku. The following month, on 4 February, Ushtria was developed into an organised sports club which was to be named in honour of the Albanian Partisans who had fought for the liberation of the country. In the early history of the club they recruited players from the Scanderbeg Military High School and Albanian Military Academy, as well as players from other clubs who were ordered by the ruling Communists to play for Partizani.

On 7 April the club played their first official match under the name Partizani, which was against another team from the same city 17 Nëntori Tiranë. Partizani won the match 2–0 through the goals of Osman Pengili and Qamil Teliti, with a lineup consisting of Çobani, Tepeli, Muhamet Dibra, Besim Fagu, Kavaja, Osman Pengili, Lutfi Hoxha, Hivzi Sakiqi, Bylyku and Xhavit Shyqyri Demneri. As the club did not participate in the 1946 National Championship, they instead took a tour of Albania playing friendly games against some of the biggest clubs in the country at the time, and ended their 9 match tour with 26 goals scored and 9 against, and Qamil Teliti scoring 11 goals to make him the tour's top goalscorer.

Early dominance (1947–1964)

With Partizani Loro Borici won the 1949 and 1954 titles. Loro borici.jpg
With Partizani Loro Boriçi won the 1949 and 1954 titles.

Partizani first competed in a national competition in 1947, where they were enrolled into the top flight of Albanian football in their debut season and played 16 games, winning 14, drawing 1 and losing 1 as they went on to win the National Championship in their first competitive campaign. They finished on 29 points, just 1 ahead of Vllaznia Shkodër, who had won the previous 2 National Championships, and they had a goal difference of 41, after scoring 56 goals and conceding 16. The championship winning team was managed by Sllave Llambi, and was made up of Abdulla Stërmasi, Kamberi, Ramazan Njala, Besim Fagu, Medo Cuciqi, Sulejman Vathi, Xhavit Shyqyri Demneri, Hivzi Sakiqi, Isuf Pelingu, Tafil Baci, Lutfi Hoxha, Osman Pengili, Hamdi Tafmizi, Zihni Gjinali, Zef Gavoci, Eqrem Dauti, Zyber Lisi, Alush Merhori and Hamdi Bakalli, who was also the league's top goalscorer with 7 goals. [1] The following season the Albanian Football Association decided to change the format of the championship and divided teams into two groups based on geographical location, with Group A being a northern conference and Group B being a southern conference. Partizani were placed in Group A where they finished top of the group level on points with Vllaznia Shkodër, and due to possessing a better goal difference Partizani were the group winners and reached the championship final on 25 August 1947 against Flamurtari Vlorë. The final was played in Tiranë and Partizani won with an emphatic 6–2 scoreline, following goals from Vasif Biçaku, Xhevdet Shaqiri and four goals from Zihni Gjinali to give Partizani their second consecutive title. Gjinali was also the league's top goalscorer for the campaign, after finishing level on 11 goals with Flamurtari Vlorë forward Tish Daija, who also scored in the championship final. [3] The Republic Cup also returned in 1948 and Partizani competed in the competition for the first time, and they also went on to win it following a 5–2 victory over local rivals 17 Nentori Tiranë in the final which secured the first double in Albanian football. They retained the league title the following season following an undefeated campaign, and they also retained the cup as they defeated 17 Nentori Tiranë 1–0 in the final.

Partizani finished the 1950 National Championship level on points with newly formed Interior Ministry team Dinamo Tirana, and despite having a superior goal difference the Albanian Football Association decided to award the title to Dinamo after using a strange mathematical calculation using goal statistics, which were 77:10 = 7.7 for Partizani and 60:6 = 10.0 for Dinamo. After losing out on the title to new local rivals Dinamo, Partizani also came runners up to them in the Republic Cup, which began a long period of football in Albania dominated by the 2 sides. The following season, the club finished as runners up to Dinamo in both the league and the cup, but 19 year old striker Refik Resmja managed to score 59 goals in 23 games for Partizani which gave him a 2.57 goalscoring average, a record that is considered to be the best ever in top flight football.

Panajot Pano is considered one of the best Footballers that played for Partizani Tirana. Panajot Pano (1964).jpg
Panajot Pano is considered one of the best Footballers that played for Partizani Tirana.

Despite finishing level on points and with a greater goal difference than Dinamo during the 1952 campaign, the same strange mathematical calculation as in 1950 was used and the title was once again awarded to Dinamo. The following season they finished runners up in both the league and the cup to Dinamo, before winning the league title in 1954 which was their first trophy since 1949. The club also finished as runners up in the cup to Dinamo in the 1954 Republic Cup, before going off to compete in the third unofficial Championship of Communist Countries' Army Clubs held in Bulgaria, where they only managed to win 1 game and lose 3. They then finished as runners up again to Dinamo Tirana for the next 2 seasons, meaning Partizani won just 1 league title in the previous 7 years.

1957 marked the return of Partizani as the most dominant club in Albania, as they won the league and cup double, a feat they repeated once again in 1958 before competing in the first official Spartakiada, the Championship of Communist Countries' Army Clubs in East Germany. They defeated The Cong Hanoi of Vietnam, CCA București of Romania, Dukla Prague of Czechoslovakia and Vorwärts Berlin of East Germany to reach the final against CDNA Sofia of Bulgaria, who narrowly defeated Partizani 1–0 at the Leipzig Zentralstadion in front of 100,000 spectators. They returned to Albania with silver medals and used the experience to retain both the league and cup to complete consecutive doubles, and in 1959 they won just the league as the cup was not held that year. However, Dinamo won the double in 1960 as Partizani finished runners up in the league, but they completed the double themselves the following season and they became the first Albanian club to participate in a European competition in 1962, which occurred due to Albania's Communist leader Enver Hoxha falling out with the Soviet Union in 1960, meaning the domestic league formats were changed in line with Europe's and Albania no longer excluded themselves from competing in European competitions. Partizani faced Swedish champions IFK Norrköping in the first round of the UEFA European Cup and they lost the first leg 2–0 in Norrköping [4] before earning a 1–1 draw in Tiranë, where rocks were thrown onto the pitch at the end of the match which ended in a 3–1 aggregate loss for Partizani. [5] During the 1962–63 campaign Partizani once again won the league title and they were then drawn against Bulgarian Spartak Plovdiv side in the European Cup, and they won their first European game in the first leg as they defeated Spartak Plovdiv 1–0 in Tiranë, [6] but they were eliminated after losing 3–1 in Plovdiv. [7] The following season they completed the double, which would be their last of the communist era, and in December 1963, halfway through the season, Partizani competed in the third official Spartakiada, the second of which included football, held in Vietnam, and they defeated CDNA Sofia in a rematch of the previous final, as well as Budapest Honvéd of Hungary, and Vorwärts Berlin to reach the semi-finals where they defeated Budapest Honvéd once again to reach the final against a team from the Soviet Union consisting of players from CSKA Moscow and SKA Rostov-on-Don, where they lost 2–0 after extra time to finish as runners up in consecutive Spartakiads. [8] They faced German side 1. FC Köln in the European Cup at the start of the following season, and they drew 0–0 in the first leg in Tiranë, [9] but lost 2–0 away in Cologne to lose the tie on aggregate. [10] As Albania was a Stalinist state at the time, during the first leg the 1. FC Köln team was involved in a minor diplomatic incident arose when it was evident that the West Germans had brought their own food and a chef to cook it. 1. Köln's administrator Julius Ukrainczyk eventually negotiated a compromise that saw the food allowed in but the chef sent home. [11]

Rise in opposition (1965–1993)

After winning their 10th league title in 17 years, Partizani struggled to maintain their dominance at the top of Albanian football, as they finished as runners up in 4 of the next 5 seasons, but they did win 3 consecutive Republic Cups between 1965 and 1970, as the cup was not held for 2 years during this period. They competed in the 1968–69 European Cup Winners' Cup where they were drawn against Italian side Torino, whom they defeated 1–0 in Tiranë before losing 3–1 in Turin to lose 3–2 on aggregate. In 1970 they became the first ad only Albanian club to win an international competition, as they defeated Beroe Stara Zagora to win the regional 1970 Balkans Cup, following a 1–1 draw in Tiranë and a 3–0 awarded win for the second leg, as Beroe withdrew. Partizani participated in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1970, and they faced Swedish side Åtvidabergs FF in the preliminary round where the drew 1–1 in Åtvidaberg before winning 2–0 in Tiranë to earn the club its first European tie victory as they moved into the last 16 where they faced Austrian side Wacker Innsbruck. Partizani lost 3–2 in the first leg in Innsbruck despite being ahead 2–1 at half time, and they lost 2–1 in the return leg at home, which was their first European home loss in 6 games. They won the 1970–71 National Championship which was their first title since 1964, and they qualified for the first round of the European Cup where they lost 4–0 on aggregate to Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia. They once again failed to retain their title and struggled the following season, finishing 4th in the league and being knocked out of the cup in the semi-finals, before going on to win the cup during the 1972–73 season as well as finishing as runners up in the league. They finished as runners up the following season in both the league and cup, before failing to reach the final of the cup or finish in the top 2 of the league until 1979 which is when they managed to win their 11th league title ahead of local rivals KF Tirana. They then faced Scottish champions Celtic in the European Cup whom they defeated 1–0 in Tiranë. [12] Once again Albania's communist regime made it difficult for foreign clubs to enter and play in Albania, and it took Celtic over 2 months to acquire visas for their players and staff and they were unable to acquire visas for press and a small number of supporters. The return leg ended in disappointment for Partizani as despite opening the scoring they lost 4–1, meaning they lost the tie 4–2 on aggregate. [13]

Partizani once again failed to challenge for the title the following season, as they could only manage a 4th-place finish, but they won the cup after beating Labinoti Elbasan 2–1 on aggregate in the final. They qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup and faced Swedish side Malmö FF whom they narrowly lost 1–0 on aggregate following a 1–0 loss in Malmö and a goalless draw in Tiranë. The club won the 1980–81 National Championship ahead of Dinamo and KF Tirana, meaning they qualified for the European Cup where they faced Austrian side Austria Wien whom they lost 3–2 on aggregate to following a disappointing 3–1 [14] first leg away loss and a 1–0 home win. [15] The club had to wait until 1987 for their next trophy, which came in the shape of the National Championship which they won ahead of Flamurtari Vlorë. They faced Portuguese champions Benfica in an infamous first leg in Lisbon that saw Partizani lose 4–0 and end the game with 7 men as 4 players were sent off including goalkeeper and captain Perlat Musta. [16] Partizani were punished by UEFA for the incidents, and they were knocked out of the competition following a walkover victory for Benfica in what would have been the second leg, and they were also banned from Europe for 4 years. Partizani finished 9th in the 1987–88 campaign, which was their lowest ever finish in the league and they also missed out on the cup as they lost in the final to Flamurtari Vlorë. They somewhat bounced back the following season as they finished as runners up in the league, a feat that was repeated for 4 seasons in a row. They competed in the UEFA Cup in 1990, where they lost to Romanian side Universitatea Craiova, and they also won the cup in 1991 after beating Flamurtari in the final. In the Cup Winners' Cup the following season, they narrowly lost 1–0 to Dutch side Feyenoord, whom they held to a 0–0 draw in Tiranë before losing the tie to a late goal in Rotterdam.

The 1992–93 campaign proved to be last truly successful one for the club, as they managed to win their 7th double in their history. They won the Kategoria Superiore in a season where Edmond Dosti became Partizani's first league top goalscorer since Agim Murati in 1979, and they won the Albanian Cup after defeating Albpetrol Patos in the final. After winning the double Partizani faced Icelandic side ÍA Akranes in the preliminary round of the European Cup. They earned a goalless draw in the first leg in Tiranë before losing 3–0 in Akranes, where all 3 goals came in the second half. Following the fall of communism in Albania clubs struggled to support themselves financially and Partizani was also heavily reliant on the Albanian Army's support along with the communist regime. The fall of communism made it difficult for Partizani to be sustainable as a club, which in turn caused the club problems for the next 20 years.

Post-communist era (1993–2008)

After winning the double in 1993 Partizani began to decline in terms of power, and the club was taken over by businessman Albert Xhani in 1994. Because Teuta Durrës had finished 2nd in the league and won the cup, Partizani were given a place in the UEFA Cup as the third-placed team, and they faced Turkish side Fenerbahçe in 1995, whom they lost 6–0 to on aggregate as they struggled against far superior opposition. Partizani continued to struggle to compete domestically with their only success coming in 1997 as they won the Albanian Cup. The club's fortunes continued to worsen and they found themselves in bottom spot in the league and the club eventually experienced relegated for the first time in its history at the end of the 1999–00 season. The spent one season in the Albanian First Division, as they won the division title and earned promotion at the first attempt. During their first season back in the top flight they managed a respectable third-place finish which qualified them for the UEFA Cup, where they were drawn against Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv, whom they lost 5–1 to on aggregate as they failed to progress to the next round.

Igli Tare was one of the best player ever in Partizani Tirana's history. Igli Tare (cropped).JPG
Igli Tare was one of the best player ever in Partizani Tirana's history.

The following season they once again finished third and they also reached the quarter-finals of the Albanian Cup, as they qualified for the Intertoto Cup where they were once again drawn against Israeli opposition in Maccabi Netanya, to whom they lost 3–1 to in Netanya before winning the return leg in Tiranë 2–0 against the odds to qualify for the next round of a European competition for only the second time. In the next round they faced Moldovan side Dacia Chișinău to whom they lost 5–0 on aggregate to, putting an end to their Intertoto Cup run. Domestically they managed a fourth-place finish, just one point behind Vllaznia Shkodër in third place, and they also won the Albanian Cup, which was the first major trophy by the club in 11 years, aside from the Albanian First Division. In the UEFA Cup the following season Partizani was drawn against Maltese side Birkirkara, whom they beat 4–2 in the first leg in Tiranë, [17] and despite losing 2–1 in the away leg they managed to qualify for the next round where they faced Israeli side Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin who defeated Partizani 6–1 on aggregate to eliminate them, following 3–0 and 3–1 away and home losses, respectively. [18] During the 2004–05 campaign Partizani struggled in the league and they finished third from bottom, although they were not in real danger of being relegated as they finished 22 points away from the relegation zone. In the cup they narrowly lost out to eventual winners Teuta Durrës in the semi-finals, as they lost out on the away goal rule following a 2–2 aggregate draw. The following season performances improved and they finished fourth, just 2 points behind local rivals KF Tirana in second place, as they also reached the quarter-finals of the cup. They qualified for the Intertoto Cup once again, where they faced Cypriot side Ethnikos Achna who Partizani defeated 2–1 in Tiranë but lost 4–2 to in Achnas to lose 5–4 on aggregate. The 2006–07 campaign saw the club finish fourth once again, and they also missed out on reaching the final of the Albanian Cup on the away goal rule after a 1–1 aggregate draw with Teuta Durrës. The following season Partizani challenged for the title with local rivals Dinamo Tirana, but they were unable to win the league and they eventually finished 5 points away from Dinamo as they finished as runners up for the 19th time.

Downfall and revival (2008–present)

After a strong season, Partizani qualified the UEFA Cup and faced Bosnian side Široki Brijeg in the first qualifying round, but they eventually lost 3–1 on aggregate which was the start to what would prove to be a very difficult season, as they struggled in the league and avoided the automatic relegation zone by a single goal on goal difference. They did however face Kastrioti Krujë in a relegation play-out that led to Partizani's relegation once again, in a game that was marred by poor refereeing decisions as well as violence. [19] Partizani began the 2009–10 campaign in the Albanian First Division and the club's president Albert Xhani began to withdraw from backing the club financially, which meant that the majority of wages were not paid for the season and during the winter break Paro Laci and Lulëzim Sallaku bought out 40% and 10% of the club's shares, respectively, with Xhani retaining the remaining 50%. Laci took control of the majority of the club's finances, and wages were paid to the staff and the players, but despite push for promotion they were unable to reach the play off places and finished the league in 4th place. The 2010–11 season would prove to be the worst in the club's history as they experienced relegation to the Albanian Second Division, the third tier, for the first time, as they were relegated for the 2nd time in 2 years. The club finished bottom of the First Division table, with a record of 4 wins, 5 draws and 21 losses, scoring a total of just 16 goals in 30 games. During the first and only season in the Second Division, Partizani managed to finish top of Group B by a single point, which guaranteed their promotion and their qualification to the championship final against Tërbuni Pukë on 17 May 2012, which ended in a 3–1 loss for Partizani. [20] The club's return to the First Division would prove to be a successful one as they finished as runners up behind KF Lushnja to achieve back to back promotion, in a season that saw the club change ownership as Gazment Demi bought out 50% of the club's shares in January 2013, making him and Lulëzim Sallaku co-owners and co-financiers of the club. [21] The club achieved promotion back into the Kategoria Superiore following a four-year absence and Demi took over as president following the departure of Sallaku from the post. [22] [23]

After 5 seasons of winning nothing in the Kategoria Superiore, Partizani won its first title in 26 years, under coach Skënder Gega, and return to UEFA Champions League after 3 years of absence.

Stadium

Arena Kombetare serves as the home ground of the team Air Albania Stadium inauguration match Alb vs Fra.jpg
Arena Kombëtare serves as the home ground of the team

During the club's early history they played their home games at Albania's main stadium, the Qemal Stafa Stadium which was shared with local rivals KF Tirana and then also Dinamo Tirana. A second stadium was built in Tiranë in 1956, which was the Selman Stërmasi Stadium, and this stadium was also shared by the three main Tiranë clubs. The club stopped sharing the Selman Stërmasi Stadium in 2014 when they were promoted back to the Kategoria Superiore, and in the summer of 2016 the process of demolishing the Qemal Stafa Stadium will begin, in order to facilitate the proposed 22,500-seater Arena Kombëtare.

On 9 March 2016, the Albanian government agreed to a 99-year, €1 lease of the 37,000-square-metre (400,000 sq ft) Military Base 4030, located on Myslym Keta Road on the outskirts of Tiranë, which is where Partizani will build their new training complex as well as their proposed 4,500 seater stadium. [24] [25] [26]

Tirana's mayor, in a meeting with FK Partizani and FK Tirana, granted Partizani the right to play in Tirana's stadium until "Qemal Stafa Stadium" is finished building. [27]

In 2019, Partizani moved to the newly built Arena Kombëtare. On 13 December 2019, they played first match at the new stadium against rivals KF Tirana, which also plays some matches at the stadium. They lost the match 2–1 with a Winful Cobbinah goal at the last minute of the match, which was the first loss for the club in the derbies after 5 years and 8 months and after 18 games.

Supporters

Ultras Guerrils
Established2008
Type Supporters' group
ClubFK Partizani Tirana
Headquarters Tirana,Laprakë,21 Dhjetori, Flag of Albania.svg  Albania
AffiliationsGarda 15

Ultras Guerrils

Partizani Tirana's current supporters group and hooligans firm is called Ultras Guerrils 08–09, who were founded following the merger of two other supports groups, Brigada e Kuqe 08 and Komandos Ultras. They are one of the most numerous and consistent supporters in Albania, attending the team's Albanian Second Division matches. Despite their history, name and colours they aren't affiliated with any political party. Partizani has a lot of supporter abroad Albania, such as Kosovo-Albanians and also a lot of Macedonian Albanians [28]

Rivalries

The club's biggest rivalry is with KF Tirana. The Tirana derby is the name given to any football match contested between Partizani Tirana and KF Tirana football clubs, the two biggest rivals in Tirana in Albania. Partizani Tirana have a historical advantage of 25 wins ahead of KF Tirana in the League with 67 wins. Also the team recorded the best ever result in the match which still remains as 8-0 from 1947. The other main rivalry in the city is with Dinamo Tirana.

Recent seasons

SeasonDivisionPos.Pl.WDLGSGAP Cup Supercup EuropeTop Scorer
2013–14 Kategoria Superiore 5th3315810332653SR Flag of North Macedonia.svg Nderim Nexhipi
Flag of Albania.svg Migen Memelli 6
2014–15 Kategoria Superiore 3rd362277422473QF Flag of Serbia.svg Stevan Račić 14
2015–16 Kategoria Superiore 2nd3621114512174QF UEL 1QR Flag of Albania.svg Xhevahir Sukaj 21
2016–17 Kategoria Superiore 2nd3619152461772SR UCH
UEL
3QR
PO
Flag of Ghana.svg Caleb Ekuban 17
2017–18 Kategoria Superiore 5th3615813413653QF UEL 1QR Flag of Albania.svg Gerhard Progni 10
2018–19 Kategoria Superiore 1st3620106452270QF UEL 1QR Flag of North Macedonia.svg Jasir Asani 10
2019–20 Kategoria Superiore 6th3615813514053SRW UCH
UEL
1QR
2QR
Flag of Albania.svg Eraldo Çinari 13
2020–21 Kategoria Superiore 3rd3617145532365QF Flag of Albania.svg Eraldo Çinari
Flag of North Macedonia.svg Jasir Asani 9
2021–22 Kategoria Superiore 3rd3615138523058SF UCO 2QR Flag of Brazil.svg Stênio Júnior 12
2022–23 Kategoria Superiore 1st362079563767QF UCO 1QR Flag of Brazil.svg Victor da Silva 13
2023–24 Kategoria Superiore 2nd14851211129W UCH
UCO
1QR
PO

Divisional movements

SeriesYearsLastPromotionsRelegations
Kategoria Superiore 71 2023–24 2013–14 Decrease2.svg 2 (1999–2000, 2008–09)
Kategoria e Parë 6 2012–13 Increase2.svg 2 (2000–01 ,2012–13)Decrease2.svg 1 (2010–11)
Kategoria e Dytë 1 2011–12 Increase2.svg 1 (2011–12 )Decrease2.svg 1 (–)

Honours

TypeCompetitionTitlesSeasons
Domestic Kategoria Superiore 17 1947, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962–63, 1963–64 Star full.svg , 1970–71, 1978–79, 1980–81, 1986–87, 1992–93, 2018–19, 2022–23
Kategoria e Parë 1 2000–01
Kategoria e Dytë 1 2010–11
Albanian Cup 15 1948, 1949, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1972–73 Star full.svg , 1979–80, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1996–97, 2003–04
Albanian Supercup 3 2004, 2019, 2023
Double 7 1948, 1949, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1963–64, 1992–93
Europe Balkans Cup 1 1970

FK Partizani in Europe

SeasonCompetitionRoundClubHomeAway Aggregate
1960–61 Balkans Cup 1/5 Flag of Romania (1952-1965).svg Steagul Roșu Brașov 0–00–1
3rd
Symbol delete vote.svg
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Levski Sofia 2–00–4
Flag of Turkey.svg Fenerbahçe 0–00–1
Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg AEK Athens 3–03–0
1962–63 UEFA European Cup 1R Flag of Sweden.svg IFK Norrköping 1–10–21–3 Symbol delete vote.svg
1963–64 UEFA European Cup 1R Flag of Bulgaria.svg Spartak Plovdiv 1–01–32–3 Symbol delete vote.svg
1964–65 UEFA European Cup 1R Flag of Germany.svg 1. FC Köln 0–00–20–2 Symbol delete vote.svg
1966–67 Balkans Cup Group A Flag of Bulgaria.svg Cherno More Varna 2–01–3
2nd
Symbol delete vote.svg
Flag of Romania (1952-1965).svg UTA Arad 2–02–1
Flag of Turkey.svg Fenerbahçe 2–02–3
1968–69 European Cup Winners' Cup 1R Flag of Italy.svg Torino 1–01–32–3 Symbol delete vote.svg
1970 Balkans Cup Group B Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Sloboda Tuzla 1–21–1
1st
Symbol keep vote.svg
Flag of Romania (1952-1965).svg Universitatea Craiova 1–00–1 Symbol keep vote.svg
Final Flag of Bulgaria.svg Beroe Stara Zagora 3–01–14–1 Symbol keep vote.svg
1970–71 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup QR Flag of Sweden.svg Åtvidabergs FF 2–01–13–1 Symbol keep vote.svg
1R Flag of Austria.svg Tirol Innsbruck 1–22–33–5 Symbol delete vote.svg
1971–72 UEFA European Cup 1R Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg CSKA Sofia 0–10–30–4 Symbol delete vote.svg
1974 Balkans Cup Group B Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg FK Vardar 2–10–2
3rd
Symbol delete vote.svg
Flag of Greece.svg Larissa 2–21–3
1979–80 UEFA European Cup 1R Flag of Scotland.svg Celtic 1–01–42–4 Symbol delete vote.svg
1979–80 Balkans Cup Group A Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Rijeka 4–10–3
2nd
Symbol delete vote.svg
Flag of Greece.svg PAS Giannina 2–00–3
1980–81 European Cup Winners' Cup 1R Flag of Sweden.svg Malmö FF 0–00–10–1 Symbol delete vote.svg
1981–82 UEFA European Cup 1R Flag of Austria.svg Austria Wien 1–01–32–3 Symbol delete vote.svg
1987–88 UEFA European Cup 1R Flag of Portugal.svg Benfica w/o 0–40–4 Symbol delete vote.svg
1990–91 UEFA Cup 1R Flag of Romania.svg Universitatea Craiova 0–10–10–2 Symbol delete vote.svg
1991–92 European Cup Winners' Cup 1R Flag of the Netherlands.svg Feyenoord 0–00–10–1 Symbol delete vote.svg
1993–94 UEFA Champions League QR Flag of Iceland.svg IA Akranes 0–00–30–3 Symbol delete vote.svg
1995–96 UEFA Cup QR Flag of Turkey.svg Fenerbahçe 0–40–20–6 Symbol delete vote.svg
2002–03 UEFA Cup QR Flag of Israel.svg Hapoel Tel Aviv 1–40–11–5 Symbol delete vote.svg
2003 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1R Flag of Israel.svg Maccabi Netanya 2–01–33–3 Symbol keep vote.svg
2R Flag of Moldova.svg Dacia Chișinău 0–30–20–5 Symbol delete vote.svg
2004–05 UEFA Cup 1QR Flag of Malta.svg Birkirkara 4–21–25–4 Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Flag of Israel.svg Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin 1–30–31–6 Symbol delete vote.svg
2006 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1R Flag of Cyprus.svg Ethnikos Achnas 2–12–44–5 Symbol delete vote.svg
2008–09 UEFA Cup 1QR Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Široki Brijeg 1–30–01–3 Symbol delete vote.svg
2015–16 UEFA Europa League 1QR Flag of Norway.svg Strømsgodset 0–11–31–4 Symbol delete vote.svg
2016–17 UEFA Europa League 1QR Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovan Bratislava 0–0 1
UEFA Champions League 2QR 2 Flag of Hungary.svg Ferencváros 1–11–12–2 (3–1p) Symbol keep vote.svg
3QR Flag of Austria.svg Red Bull Salzburg 0–10–20–3 Symbol delete vote.svg
UEFA Europa League PO Flag of Russia.svg Krasnodar 0–00–40–4 Symbol delete vote.svg
2017–18 UEFA Europa League 1QR Flag of Bulgaria.svg Botev Plovdiv 1–30–11–4 Symbol delete vote.svg
2018–19 UEFA Europa League 1QR Flag of Slovenia.svg Maribor 0−10–20–3 Symbol delete vote.svg
2019–20 UEFA Champions League 1QR Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Qarabağ 0–00–20–2 Symbol delete vote.svg
UEFA Europa League 2QR Flag of Moldova.svg Sheriff Tiraspol 0–11–11–2 Symbol delete vote.svg
2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League 1QR Flag of Moldova.svg Sfântul Gheorghe 5–23–28–4 Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Basel 0−20–30−5 Symbol delete vote.svg
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League 1QR Flag of Georgia.svg Saburtalo Tbilisi 0–11–01–1 (4–5p) Symbol delete vote.svg
2023–24 UEFA Champions League 1QR Flag of Belarus.svg BATE Borisov 1–10–21–3 Symbol delete vote.svg
UEFA Europa Conference League 2QR Flag of Andorra.svg Atlètic Club d'Escaldes 4–11–05–1 Symbol keep vote.svg
3QR Flag of Latvia.svg Valmiera 1–02–13–1 Symbol keep vote.svg
PO Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Astana 1–10–11–2 Symbol delete vote.svg
Notes

Players

Current squad

As of 1 February 2024

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

No.Pos.NationPlayer
3 DF Flag of North Macedonia.svg  MKD David Atanaskoski
4 DF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Andi Janjeva
5 DF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Altin Bytyçi
6 MF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Leart Zekolli
7 MF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Adnard Mehmeti
8 MF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Redon Ismaili
9 FW Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Xhuliano Skuka (on loan from FC Metz )
10 FW Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Albers Keko
12 GK Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Pano Qirko
14 MF Flag of Senegal.svg  SEN Maguette Gueye
20 MF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Gjergji Kote
21 MF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Valentino Murataj (vice-captain)
22 FW Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Tedi Cara
23 DF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Marçelino Preka
No.Pos.NationPlayer
24 FW Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  CGO Archange Bintsouka
25 FW Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Alfred Mensah
26 DF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Paulo Buxhelaj
27 MF Flag of Kosovo.svg  KOS Gjelbrim Taipi
28 DF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Eljon Sota
29 DF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Božo Mikulić
34 DF Flag of Senegal.svg  SEN Saliou Sembene
44 DF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Andi Hadroj
47 MF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Luis Bircaj
60 GK Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Skander Tahri
90 FW Flag of Nigeria.svg  NGA Christian Mba
98 MF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Emiljano Vila
99 FW Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Arinaldo Rrapaj

Current staff

PositionName
Head Coach Flag of Albania.svg Orges Shehi
Assistant Manager Flag of Albania.svg Artan Karapici
Forward Coach Flag of Albania.svg Sebino Plaku
Goalkeeping Coach Flag of North Macedonia.svg Kushtrim Voka
President Flag of Albania.svg Gazmend Demi
General director Flag of Albania.svg Olsi Rama
Club Director Flag of Albania.svg Arber Abilaliaj
Academy Director Flag of Albania.svg Genc Tomorri
Team Manager Flag of Albania.svg Amarildo Dajlani
Team doctor Flag of Albania.svg Dhimosten Gjici
Physiotherapist Flag of Albania.svg Ergys Rexha
Athletic coach Flag of Croatia.svg Marko Matijević
Label Security Person Flag of Albania.svg Naim Dani
Coach U–19 Flag of Albania.svg Erim Shehu
Coach U–17 Flag of Albania.svg Oriand Abazaj
Coach Partizani Women Flag of Albania.svg Ylli Shehu

Historical list of coaches

Title winning managers

NamePeriodTrophies
Flag of Albania.svg Sllave Llambi 1946–1949 National Championship (3), Republic Cup (2)
Flag of Albania.svg Myslym Alla 1954–1956 National Championship, Republic Cup
Flag of Albania.svg Rexhep Spahiu 1956–1962 National Championship (4), Republic Cup (3)
Flag of Albania.svg Loro Boriçi 1962–1971 National Championship (3), Republic Cup (2), Balkans Cup
Flag of Albania.svg Ilia Shuke 1974–1977 National Championship
Flag of Albania.svg Bejkush Birçe 1977–198x National Championship (2)
Flag of Albania.svg Neptun Bajko 1986–1988 National Championship
Flag of Albania.svg Sulejman Starova 1992–1994 National Championship, Albanian Cup
Flag of Albania.svg Sulejman Mema 2003–2004 Albanian Cup, Albanian Supercup
Flag of Albania.svg Skënder Gega 2018–2019 Kategoria Superiore, Albanian Supercup
Flag of Italy.svg Franco Lerda 2019 Albanian Supercup
Flag of Italy.svg Giovanni Colella 2022–2023 Kategoria Superiore
Flag of Albania.svg Arbër Abilaliaj 2023 Albanian Supercup,

Sponsorship

PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
1985–1992 Adidas  
1992–1993 Abaco
2003–2004 Legea AMC
2004–2005 Adidas Neri
2007–2008 Legea A.K.K.
2008–2009 Adidas  
2013–2014 Legea Albtelecom
2014–2015 
2015–2016 Adidas
2016–2017 Macron
2017–2018 Joma
2018–2019 MCN
2019-2020
2020– Macron

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KF Teuta Durrës</span> Albanian football club

Klubi Futbollistik Teuta Durrës, commonly referred to as Teuta, is an Albanian professional football club based in Durrës. They currently compete in the Kategoria Superiore and they play their home games at the Niko Dovana Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KF Tirana</span> Association football club in Albania

Klubi i Futbollit Tirana is an Albanian professional football club based in the country's capital city, Tirana. The men's football club is part of the multi-disciplinary sports club SK Tirana, and is the most successful in Albania, having won 54 recognized major domestic trophies. They are the only football club in Albania with two stars in their crest after winning the 20th championship in 2003, each star corresponds to ten championships. Making them the first and only Albanian club to have achieved such a feat. They play their home games at the Selman Stërmasi Stadium in Tirana and they play in the Kategoria Superiore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flamurtari FC</span> Albanian football club

Flamurtari FC is a professional football club based in Vlorë, Albania. The club plays in the Kategoria e Parë, which is the second tier of football in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bledi Shkëmbi</span> Albanian footballer and coach

Bledi Shkëmbi is an Albanian professional football coach and former player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KF Skënderbeu Korçë</span> Association football club in Albania

Klubi Futbollistik Skënderbeu Korçë, is an Albanian professional football club based in Korçë, a city in southeastern Albania. The club plays in the Kategoria Superiore, which is the first tier of football in the country. The club was founded as Vllazëria Korçë in 1909. In 1925, it took on its current form following the merger of several local clubs, and the club's name was changed to Skënderbeu Korçë, after Albania's national hero Skanderbeg. The club's home ground has been the Skënderbeu Stadium since it was built in 1957, and it now has a capacity of 12,343, of which 5,724 are seated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orges Shehi</span> Albanian footballer (born 1977)

Orges Shehi is an Albanian professional football coach and former player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Football in Albania</span> Overview of football in Albania

Football is the most popular sport in Albania, both at a participatory and spectator level. The sport is governed by the Football Association of Albania (FSHF).

Endri Vrapi is an Albanian retired footballer who last played as a defender for Kosovan club Liria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FK Kukësi</span> Albanian football club

Futboll Klub Kukësi is an Albanian professional football club based in the city of Kukës. The club plays its home games at the Zeqir Ymeri Stadium and they currently compete in the Kategoria Superiore, the highest tier of Albanian football. The club played in the lower divisions for much of its history since 1930, prior to their 2012 promotion to Kategoria Superiore, where they have finished as runners up in three of the four top flight campaigns they have had.

Igli Allmuça is an Albanian professional football coach and former player who was the manager of Albanian First Division club Dinamo Tirana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elis Bakaj</span> Albanian footballer

Elis Flamur Bakaj is an Albanian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or a forward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erando Karabeci</span> Albanian footballer

Erando Karabeci is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Teuta Durrës. He mainly operates in the centre of midfield, but he can also play out wide as well as in a more defensive role in the midfield.

The 2007–08 Kategoria Superiore was the 72nd season of top-tier football in Albania and the tenth season under the name Kategoria Superiore. The season began on 25 August 2007 and ended on 17 May 2008. KF Tirana were the defending champions, having won their twenty-third title the previous season.

The 1999–2000 Albanian National Championship was the 61st season of the Albanian National Championship, the top professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1930. The season began on 18 September 1999 and concluded on 7 June 2000. Tirana began the season as defending champions 1998–99 season and Shqiponja was the only team promoted from the Kategoria e Dytë as the league was reduced from 16 teams to 14.

Daniel Xhafaj is an Albanian retired professional footballer. Mainly as a striker, he could also play as second striker.

The 2008–09 Kategoria Superiore was the 73rd season of top-tier football in Albania and the eleventh season under the name Kategoria Superiore. The season began on 24 August 2008 and ended on 23 May 2009. The defending champions were Dinamo Tirana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerhard Progni</span> Albanian footballer

Gerhard Nik Progni is an Albanian professional footballer plays as a Striker for .Valbona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gjergji Muzaka</span> Albanian footballer

Gjergji Muzaka is an Albanian former professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renato Malota</span> Albanian footballer

Renato Malota is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Egnatia Rrogozhinë in the Kategoria Superiore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ilir Daja</span> Albanian footballer and coach

Ilir Daja is an Albanian professional football coach and former player who is the current manager of Ballkani. He has won the Albanian League as a coach with three different clubs: KF Elbasani, Dinamo Tirana and Skenderbeu Korçe. He also won the Kosovo Superleague two times with Ballkani and lead them to qualification for the group stage of UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

References

Notes

    Sources

    1. 1 2 "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1947".
    2. Kuka, Bledar. "Loro Borici, kollos i futbollit shqiptar". Shkodra Sport. Shkodra Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
    3. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1948".
    4. uefa.com. "UEFA Champions League 1962/63 - History - Norrköping-Partizani Lineups – UEFA.com".
    5. uefa.com. "UEFA Champions League 1962/63 - History - Partizani-Norrköping Lineups – UEFA.com".
    6. uefa.com. "UEFA Champions League 1963/64 - History - Partizani-Spartak Plovdiv Lineups – UEFA.com".
    7. uefa.com. "UEFA Champions League 1963/64 - History - Spartak Plovdiv-Partizani Lineups – UEFA.com".
    8. Armillotta, Giovanni. "All the results of Partizani Tiranë in Football Spartakiadas 1958 and 1963".
    9. uefa.com. "UEFA Champions League 1964/65 - History - Partizani-Köln Lineups – UEFA.com".
    10. uefa.com. "UEFA Champions League 1964/65 - History - Köln-Partizani Lineups – UEFA.com".
    11. McCracken, Craig (15 October 2015). "Albania's history in European football: beards and bad behaviour in the Balkans" via The Guardian.
    12. uefa.com. "UEFA Champions League 1979/80 - History - Partizani-Celtic Lineups – UEFA.com".
    13. uefa.com. "UEFA Champions League 1979/80 - History - Celtic-Partizani Lineups – UEFA.com".
    14. uefa.com. "UEFA Champions League 1981/82 - History - Austria Wien-Partizani Lineups – UEFA.com".
    15. uefa.com. "UEFA Champions League 1981/82 - History - Partizani-Austria Wien Lineups – UEFA.com".
    16. uefa.com. "UEFA Champions League 1987/88 - History - Benfica-Partizani Lineups – UEFA.com".
    17. uefa.com (15 July 2004). "UEFA Europa League 2004/05 - History - Partizani-Birkirkara – UEFA.com".
    18. uefa.com. "UEFA Europa League 2004/05 - History - Bnei Sakhnin-Partizani – UEFA.com".
    19. "Bie Partizani, ngjitet Kastrioti. Xhani godet gjyqtarinMe rrëzimin e dytë të Partizanit në 63 vjet histori të skuadrës më popullore në Shqipëri, mori fund edhe një cikël i gjatë manipulimesh nga "xhaketat e zeza" ndaj skuadrës që ka vuajtur më - Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve".
    20. "Partizani Tirana vs. Tërbuni Pukë - 17 May 2012 - Soccerway".
    21. "Gaz Demi merr 50% të aksioneve te Partizani". Archived from the original on 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-21.
    22. Telegraf, Gazeta. "Gazmend Demi, Presidenti i ri i "demave të kuq"".
    23. "Shqiptarja.com - Partizani ndërron timonier, ikën Lulzim Sallaku, vjen Gazmend Demi".
    24. "Qeveria i jep Partizanit 37 mijë m2 sipërfaqe, reparti ushtarak do të kthehet në kompleks". 10 March 2016.
    25. "Partizani me shtëpi të re - SuperSport - Pakete Televizive Sportive - Lajme Sportive". 10 March 2016.
    26. "Partizani planifikon një "Juventus Stadium" të vogël për vete". 28 April 2016.
    27. "Çështja "Selman Stërmasi", bashkia e Tiranës zgjidh situatën: Partizani luan në kryeqytet - Ora Sport". Archived from the original on 2017-02-02.
    28. "Thirrje etnike dhe këngë shqiptare, ja si do mbështetet Partizani". panorama (in Albanian). Retrieved 2020-02-26.
    29. "UEFA pezullon padrejtësisht Skëndërbeun nga Europa për sezonin 2016- 2017" [UEFA unfairly suspending Skënderbeu from Europe for the 2016–2017 season]. kfskenderbeu.al (in Albanian). Skënderbeu Korçë. 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
    30. "Albania's KF Skenderbeu banned from Europe for suspected match-fixing". espnfc.com. ESPN FC. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
    31. "Skënderbeu apelon në CAS, UEFA e fut përkohësisht në short". supersport.al. 16 June 2016. Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
    32. "UEFA welcomes CAS decision on Skënderbeu". UEFA.org. Union of European Football Associations. 6 July 2016. Archived from the original on 12 May 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
    33. "Media release - Football - The appeal filed by KS Skenderbeu is dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)" (PDF). tas-cas.org. Court of Arbitration for Sport. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
    34. "Partizani replace Skënderbeu in Champions League". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
    35. NikolayLyukshinov at footballfacts.ru