KF Elbasani

Klubi i Futbollit Elbasani was an Albanian professional football club based in the city of Elbasan, that last competed in the Kategoria e Dytë, the third tier of football in the country.

Not to be confused with AF Elbasani.
KF Elbasani
Full nameKlubi i Futbollit Elbasani
Founded1913 (1913)[1]
Dissolved2022 to AF Elbasani
GroundElbasan Arena,
Elbasan, Albania
Capacity12,500[2]
ManagerAnxhelo Suta
2021–22Kategoria e Dytë, Group A, 7th

History

The club was formed in 1913 as Klubi Futbollit Urani Elbasan, the result of the fusion between two clubs, Afërdita Elbasan and Përparimi Elbasan. Urani translates to uranium in Albanian, and the club was named this due to the city's association with the metal. The club changed its name to KS Skampa Elbasan briefly before 1930. They first participated in a nationally recognised competition in the first top flight football league in Albania, the 1930 Kategoria e Parë, where the club finished in 5th place, second from bottom, with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 6 losses.[3] The following season they again finished in penultimate place, this time in 7 team league format.[4] In the 1932 champion, they finished bottom of the league, gaining no points after 8 straight losses, which meant that Elbasani were relegated for the first time.[5]

The club changed its name to Bashkimi Elbasanas in 1933, when they were playing in the second division, which they won and earned promotion back to the top flight, winning their first trophy in the process.[6] In their first season back in the Kategoria e Parë, they once again finished second form bottom with 2 wins, 2 draws and 8 losses.[7] No competition was held during 1935 and when the league restarted in 1936 Bashkimi finished once again second from bottom, with 3 wins, 2 draws and 9 losses, but the team below them Ismail Qemali Vlorë played 2 fewer games and finished on the same points tally.[8] The 1937 championship proved to be more successful as the club finished in 5th place out of 10 teams, with a record of 7 wins, 3 draws and 8 losses.[9]

The league officially restarted following World War II in 1945, where Bashkimi finished 3rd in Group B of the new league format, out of 6 teams.[10] The following season they finished 2nd in Group B, just one point behind runners-up Flamurtari Vlorë.[11] For the 1947 season, the league changed to a single 9 team competition, where Bashkimi finished in 8th place.[12] The following season the league returned to the 2 group format, where the club again finished second by one point to Flamurtari Vlorë. The club changed names again to KS Elbasani in 1949 and KF Puna Elbasan in 1950.

Labinoti Elbasan

Between 1958 and 1991, the club was forcibly named KS Labinoti Elbasan, after a nearby village which had been the center of the first nationwide conference of the Party of Labour of Albania during World War II.[13] In 1984, they won their first and only league title, featuring players like Roland Agalliu, Vladimir Tafani and Muharrem Dosti.[14]

The club's first participation in a European competition came in 1984, where they met Danish side Lyngby Boldklub in the first round of the Champions League qualification stage. The first leg was played at the Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium and KF Elbasani were beaten 3–0 at home,[15] and along with another 3–0 loss in Denmark the aggregate result was 6–0 to Lyngby Boldklub.[16][17]

KF Elbasani

Following the fall of communism, the club changed its name again to KF Elbasani, which they have not changed ever since. During the 2005–06 season, the team of Elbasani dominated the Albanian Superliga and won the second title in their history, finishing the competition with 11 points more than their rivals in SK Tirana.

In 2006–07, 1st qualifying round for the Champions League they were eliminated by FK Ekranas from Lithuania (1–3 aggregate). On 24 December 2006, coach Luan Deliu was fired and replaced by Edmond Gezdari. The team now is seized by the Directorate of Taxes in Elbasan.

Stadium
Main article: Elbasan Arena
Elbasan Arena Stadium 2014

The club plays its home games at the Elbasan Arena, which was originally built in 1967 and named the Labinot Stadium after the club's name at the time, which was Labinot Elbasan. The stadium was previously called Ruzhdi Bizhuta, after one of the club's most famous players. In January 2014 it was announced that the stadium would take over from the Qemal Stafa Stadium as the home of the Albania national team until Qemal Stafa is reconstructed. Prime minister Edi Rama visited the stadium on 28 January 2014 and he confirmed that work on the stadium would begin shortly, in order for Albania to be able to play their home games in the country as no other stadiums met the minimum requirements for Euro 2016 qualifiers.[18][19][20] Works on the stadium began in February, and they were completed in time for Albania's opening qualifying fixture against Denmark in October 2014.[21] The overall reconstruction costs amounted to €5.5 million, which included works being completed on everything from the parking lot to the installation of new floodlights, and the stadium now has an official seated capacity of 12,800.[2][22][23]

Honours

European competitions record
Competition Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA GD
UEFA competitions6123210−8
Season Competition Round Country Club Home Away Aggregate
1984–85 European Cup 1R Denmark Lyngby BK 0–3 0–3 0–6
2005–06 UEFA Cup 1QR North Macedonia FK Vardar 1–1 0–0 1–1
2006–07 UEFA Champions League 1QR Lithuania FK Ekranas 1–0 0–3 1–3
  • 1QR = 1st Qualifying Round
  • 1R = 1st Round

Balkans Cup
Competition Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA GD
Balkans Cup7313810−2
Season Competition Group Country Club Home Away Aggregate
1973 Balkans Cup A Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Sutjeska Nikšić 1–0 0–1 1–1
Romania ASA Târgu Mureș 2–0 1–5 3–5
1988–89 Balkans Cup A Turkey Malatyaspor 3–0 –[lower-alpha 1] 3–0
Greece OFI Crete 1–1 0–3 1–4
  1. Malatyaspor withdrew during the first leg which was awarded 3–0 to Elbasan

Current squad
As of 8 December 2019

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Albania ALB Ergys Dosti
2 MF Albania ALB Bektash Vasha
3 DF Albania ALB Enis Dishani
4 DF Albania ALB Arlind Ballgjini
5 DF Albania ALB Geri Selimaj
7 DF Albania ALB Ilirian Dushaj
8 FW Albania ALB Mateo Allkja
9 FW Albania ALB Arsen Lleshi
10 MF Albania ALB Klodian Nuri
11 MF Albania ALB Ergys Peposhi
12 GK Albania ALB Ferit Moli
14 FW Albania ALB Valentino Baro
15 DF Albania ALB Klaudio Çema
16 FW Albania ALB Iris Bushi
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 DF Albania ALB Serxhjo Bajrami
19 FW Albania ALB Kejdi Balla
21 MF Albania ALB Mikel Ferhati
23 DF Albania ALB Alberto Nikehasani
24 DF Albania ALB Kejsi Skënderi
25 MF Albania ALB Kristian Mataj
26 DF Albania ALB Flavio Xhakerri
29 MF Albania ALB Renato Hyshmeri
99 MF Albania ALB Endri Duka
— DF Albania ALB Jurgen Lleshi
— GK Albania ALB Fatjon Çollari
— GK Albania ALB Igli Harja
— MF Brazil BRA Abner
— FW Albania ALB Kejvin Gica

Staff
Role Name
PresidentAlbania Arben Laze
ManagerAlbania Shkëlqim Lleshanaku
Athletic directorAlbania Blendi Hoxholli
Club doctorAlbania Mehmet Berzoxhuni

Historical list of coaches
  • Albania Sabri Peqini (1957–1960)
  • Albania Frederik Jorgaqi (1983–1985)
  • Albania Dashamir Stringa (1990–1995)
  • Albania Astrit Sejdini (1996–1999)
  • Albania Luan Deliu (2000)
  • Albania Petrit Haxhiu (2001–2003)
  • Albania Artan Bushati (2004–2005)
  • Albania Ilir Daja (2005–2006)
  • Albania Luan Deliu (Jul 2006 – 27 Dec 2006)
  • Albania Edmond Gëzdari (27 Dec 2006 –7 Apr 2007)
  • Albania Ilirjan File (7 Apr 2007 – Jun 2007)
  • Albania Krenar Alimehmeti (2007–2008)
  • Albania Mirel Josa (24 Aug 2008 – 6 Feb 2009)
  • Albania Faruk Sejdini (6 Feb 2009 – 6 Apr 2009)
  • Albania Ramadan Shehu (6 Apr 2009 – 22 May 2009)
  • Albania Bujar Gogunja (22 May 2009 – Jun 2009)
  • Albania Muharrem Dosti (Jul 2009 – 19 Dec 2009)
  • Albania Krenar Alimehmeti (19 Dec 2009 – 24 December 2010)
  • Serbia Esad Karišik (27 December 2010 – 23 February 2011)
  • Albania Ilirjan File (28 February 2011 – 9 Sep 2014)
  • Albania Edmond Mustafaraj (Sep 2014)
  • Albania Muharrem Dosti (Sep 2014 – May 2017)
  • Albania Eriol Merxha (Jul 2017 – Sep 2018)
  • Albania Elvis Kotorri (Sep 2018 – Mar 2019)
  • Albania Marsid Dushku (Mar 2019 – May 2019)
  • Albania Shkëlqim Lleshanaku (Aug 2019 –)

Recent seasons
Season Division Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Cup Europe Notes
1999–00 National Championship ↓13/14 278514 203429 Second Round —— Lost 2–1 to Besa Kavajë in relegation playoff.
2000–01 Kategoria e Dytë 1/11 211713 571352 Second Round —— Finished third of six teams in promotion playoff.
2001–02 Kategoria e Dytë ↑1/12 221732 531351 Semi Finals —— Defeated Besa Kavajë 3–0 in championship final.
2002–03 National Championship 8/14 2610610 333536 Second Round ——
2003–04 Kategoria Superiore 8/10 36101016 475540 Quarter Finals ——
2004–05 Kategoria Superiore 2/10 362475 592779 Quarter Finals —— Finished runners–up in the Kategoria Superiore.
2005–06 Kategoria Superiore 1/10 3621105 502273 Semi Finals UC1st Qualifier Won their second Kategoria Superiore title.
2006–07 Kategoria Superiore 7/12 33101013 343940 Play-off UCL1st Qualifier
2007–08 Kategoria Superiore 4/12 3313137 402452 Semi Finals ——
2008–09 Kategoria Superiore ↓12/12 3371412 283935 Quarter Finals ——
2009–10 Kategoria e Parë ↑2/16 245712 193222 1st Preliminary ——
2010–11 Kategoria Superiore ↓12/12 301956 562562 Second Round ——
2011–12 Kategoria e Parë 6/16 3011613 444839 Second Round ——
2012–13 Kategoria e Parë 12/16 3012414 424640 First Round ——
2013–14 Kategoria e Parë ↑1/16 301866 463260 First Round ——
2014–15 Kategoria Superiore ↓10/10 364230 197414 Second Round ——
2015–16 Kategoria e Parë 6/10 278514 274529 First Round ——
2016–17 Kategoria e Parë ↓10/10 265813 264515 First Round ——
2017–18 Kategoria e Dytë ↑1/14 262150 611468 First Round ——
2018–19 Kategoria e Parë 9/10 8413 234419 Preliminary round —— Defeated Luzi 2008 3–0 in relegation playoff.
2019–20 Kategoria e Parë 7/10 2812115 425037 First round ——
2020–21 Kategoria e Parë ↓8/8 203215 134011 Second round ——
2021–22 Kategoria e Dytë First round ——

References
  1. "Elbasani". www.panorama-sport.com. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  2. Inagurohet ‘Elbasan Arena’, Rama: Ky vetëm fillimi Archived 2014-10-10 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1930". www.giovanniarmillotta.it. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  4. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1931". www.giovanniarmillotta.it. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  5. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1932". www.giovanniarmillotta.it. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  6. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1933". www.giovanniarmillotta.it. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  7. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1934". www.giovanniarmillotta.it. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  8. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1936". www.giovanniarmillotta.it. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  9. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1937". www.giovanniarmillotta.it. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  10. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1945". www.giovanniarmillotta.it. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  11. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1946". www.giovanniarmillotta.it. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  12. "Unofficial Site of Albanian Football since 1913: Season 1947". www.giovanniarmillotta.it. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  13. Labinoti i Elbasanit 1984 dhe Bujar Gogunja “1037” - Panorama (in Albanian)
  14. Albania - Championship Winning Teams - RSSSF
  15. "Elbasan 0–3 Lyngby". uefa.com. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  16. "Lyngby 3–0 Elbasan". uefa.com. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  17. "UEFA Champions League 1984–85". uefa.com. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  18. Rama: Elbasani pret kombëtaren Archived 2014-02-20 at the Wayback Machine
  19. "- Bota Sot". botasot.info. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  20. "Lajmet e fundit - KOHA.net". KOHA.net. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  21. "Sot përballja I në Elbasan Arena Shqipëri-Danimarkë, në 20:45". shqiptarja.com. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  22. ""Ruzhdi Bizhuta", plani për ta kthyer stadium ndërkombëtar". ikub.al. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  23. Stadiumi ne Elbasan: Rama, per te mos i mbetur hatri Vlores dhe Shkodres Archived 2014-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
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