KF Elbasani

Klubi i Futbollit Elbasani is an Albanian football club based in the city of Elbasan, who currently compete in the Kategoria e Parë.

KF Elbasani

Full name	Klubi i Futbollit Elbasani
Founded	1923[1]
Ground	Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, Albania
Capacity	12,500[2]
Chairman	Arben Laze
Manager	Shkëlqim Lleshanaku
League	Kategoria e Parë, Group B
2019–20	Kategoria e Parë, Group B, 7th
Home colours Away colours Third colours

History

The club was formed in 1923 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.

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

• Kategoria Superiore
  • Winners (2): 1983–84, 2005–06
• Kategoria e Parë (Tier 2)
  • Winners (4): 1933, 1958, 2001–02, 2013–14
  • Runners-up (1): 2009–10
• Albanian Cup
  • Winners (2): 1975, 1992
• Albanian Supercup
  • Winners (1): 1992

European competitions record

Competition	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	GF	GA	GD
UEFA competitions	9	1	2	3	2	10	−8

Season	Competition	Round	Country	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1984–85	European Cup	1R		Lyngby BK	0–3	0–3	0–6
2005–06	UEFA Cup	1QR		FK Vardar	1–1	0–0	1–1
2006–07	UEFA Champions League	1QR		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 Cup	7	3	1	3	8	10	−2

Season	Competition	Group	Country	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1973	Balkans Cup	A		Sutjeska Nikšić	1–0	0–1	1–1
				Târgu Mureș	2–0	1–5	3–5
1988–89	Balkans Cup	A		Malatyaspor	3–0	–[lower-alpha 1]	3–0
				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  ALB Ergys Dosti 2 MF  ALB Bektash Vasha 3 DF  ALB Enis Dishani 4 DF  ALB Arlind Ballgjini 5 DF  ALB Geri Selimaj 7 DF  ALB Ilirian Dushaj 8 FW  ALB Mateo Allkja 9 FW  ALB Arsen Lleshi 10 MF  ALB Klodian Nuri 11 MF  ALB Ergys Peposhi 12 GK  ALB Ferit Moli 14 FW  ALB Valentino Baro 15 DF  ALB Klaudio Çema 16 FW  ALB Iris Bushi

No. Pos. Nation Player 18 DF  ALB Serxhjo Bajrami 19 FW  ALB Kejdi Balla 21 MF  ALB Mikel Ferhati 23 DF  ALB Alberto Nikehasani 24 DF  ALB Kejsi Skënderi 25 MF  ALB Kristian Mataj 26 DF  ALB Flavio Xhakerri 29 MF  ALB Renato Hyshmeri 99 MF  ALB Endri Duka — DF  ALB Jurgen Lleshi — GK  ALB Fatjon Çollari — GK  ALB Igli Harja — MF  BRA Abner — FW  ALB Kejvin Gica

Staff

Role	Name
President	Arben Laze
Manager	Shkëlqim Lleshanaku
Athletic Director	Blendi Hoxholli
Club Doctor	Mehmet Berzoxhuni

Historical list of coaches

Sabri Peqini (1957-1960) Frederik Jorgaqi (1983-1985) Dashamir Stringa (1990-1995) Astrit Sejdini (1996-1999) Luan Deliu (2000) Petrit Haxhiu (2001-2003) Artan Bushati (2004-2005) Ilir Daja (2005-2006) Luan Deliu (Jul 2006 – 27 Dec 2006) Edmond Gëzdari (27 Dec 2006 – 7 Apr 2007) Ilirjan File (7 Apr 2007 – Jun 2007) Krenar Alimehmeti (2007–2008) Mirel Josa (24 Aug 2008 – 6 Feb 2009)

Faruk Sejdini (6 Feb 2009 – 6 Apr 2009) Ramadan Shehu (6 Apr 2009 – 22 May 2009) Bujar Gogunja (22 May 2009 – Jun 2009) Muharrem Dosti (Jul 2009 – 19 Dec 2009) Krenar Alimehmeti (19 Dec 2009 – 24 December 2010) Esad Karišik (27 December 2010 – 23 February 2011) Ilirjan File (28 February 2011 – 9 Sep 2014) Edmond Mustafaraj (Sep 2014) Muharrem Dosti (Sep 2014 – May 2017) Eriol Merxha (Jul 2017 - Sep 2018) Elvis Kotorri (Sep 2018 - Mar 2019) Marsid Dushku (Mar 2019 - May 2019) Shkëlqim Lleshanaku (Aug 2019 -)

Recent seasons

Season	Division	Pos.	Pl.	W	D	L	GS	GA	P	Cup	Europe		Notes
1999–00	Superliga	↓13/14	27	8	5	14	20	34	29	Second Round	—	—	Lost 2–1 to Besa Kavajë in relegation playoff.
2000–01	First Division	1/11	21	17	1	3	57	13	52	Second Round	—	—	Finished third of six teams in promotion playoff.
2001–02	First Division	↑1/12	22	17	3	2	53	13	51	Semi Finals	—	—	Defeated Besa Kavajë 3–0 in championship final.
2002–03	Superliga	8/14	26	10	6	10	33	35	36	Second Round	—	—
2003–04	Superliga	8/10	36	10	10	16	47	55	40	Quarter Finals	—	—
2004–05	Superliga	2/10	36	24	7	5	59	27	79	Quarter Finals	—	—	Finished runners–up in the Albanian Superliga.
2005–06	Superliga	1/10	36	21	10	5	50	22	73	Semi Finals	UC	1st Qualifier	Won their second Albanian Superliga title.
2006–07	Superliga	7/12	33	10	10	13	34	39	40	Play-off	UCL	1st Qualifier
2007–08	Superliga	4/12	33	13	13	7	40	24	52	Semi Finals	—	—
2008–09	Superliga	↓12/12	33	7	14	12	28	39	35	Quarter Finals	—	—
2008–09	First Division	↑2/16	24	5	7	12	19	32	22	1st Preliminary	—	—
2010–11	Superliga	↓12/12	30	19	5	6	56	25	62	Second Round	—	—
2011–12	First Division	6/16	30	11	6	13	44	48	39	Second Round	—	—
2012–13	First Division	12/16	30	12	4	14	42	46	40	First Round	—	—
2013–14	First Division	↑1/16	30	18	6	6	46	32	60	First Round	—	—
2014–15	Superliga	↓10/10	36	4	2	30	19	74	14	Second Round	—	—
2015–16	First Division	6/10	27	8	5	14	27	45	29	First Round	—	—
2016–17	First Division	↓10/10	26	5	8	13	26	45	15	First Round	—	—
2017–18	Second Division	↑1/14	26	21	5	0	61	14	68	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

External links

• KF Elbasani at Soccerway.com
• KF Elbasani at UEFA.com
• KF Elbasani at EUFO.de
• KF Elbasani at Weltfussball.de
• KF Elbasani at Football-Lineups.com