Kosovo national handball team

The Kosovo national men's handball team is the national handball team of Kosovo, representing the country in international competition. The team is governed by Kosovo Handball Federation. The national handball team started competing in international competition in 2014, following Kosovo's full status recognition from the International Handball Federation (IHF).

Kosovo
Information
NicknameDardanët
AssociationKosovo Handball Federation (Federata e Hendbollit e Kosovës – FHK)
CoachTaip Ramadani
CaptainValon Dedaj
Most capsKastriot Jupa (40)
Most goalsKastriot Jupa (147)
Colours
Home
Away
Results
IHF Emerging Nations Championship
Appearances2 (First in 2015)
Best result3rd (2015, 2017)
Last updated on Unknown.
Kosovo national handball team
Medal record
IHF Emerging Nations Championship
2015 Kosovo
2017 Bulgaria


History

Handball first arrived in Kosovo in the late 1940s, and by 1948 there were several registered clubs starting to compete in informal domestic competitions. By 1951, indoor handball was introduced. Two years later, in 1953 Kosovo Handball Federation was founded, under the auspices of the Yugoslav Handball Federation.

In 1979, whilst part of the former Yugoslavia, Kosovo hosted the 1979 Women's Junior World Handball Championship.

Following the breakdown of Yugoslavia and subsequent independence of Kosovo as a nation, Kosovo Handball Federation began operating independently.

In 2014, six years after Kosovo declared independence, the European Handball Federation (EHF) recognised Kosovo as a full member state and immediately the Kosovo national handball team started competing in international competition.

After a difficult start, Kosovo’s national team has started to gain notoriety in international competition. After twice winning the bronze medal in the international IHF Trophy for emerging nations, the team is no longer considered an emerging nation.

Following a lengthy campaign in the 2020 European Men's Handball Championship qualification where Kosovo defeated Israel and drew Poland, the team won a direct spot in the second phase of the upcoming 2022 qualification tournament.

Most recently, at the 2021 World Men's Handball Championship – European Qualification tournament, Kosovo drew with Italy and defeated Georgia to take the second place, behind Romania, in the qualifying group.

Kastriot Jupa is Kosovo's most capped player. Photo: Shpend Ahmeti

Tournaments

EHF European Championship

IHF Handball World Championship

IHF Emerging Nations Championship

Team

Current squad

The squad chosen for the 2021 World Men's Handball Championship – European Qualification, in Benvenento Italy.

Updated: 29 April 2020

Head coach: Taip Ramadani

No. Pos. Name Date of birth (age) Height App. Goals Club
5 PV Kastriot Jupa (1992-12-17) 17 December 1992 1.88 m 40 147 KH Besa Famgas
9 LW Lindrit Fetahu (1992-02-25) 25 February 1992 1.91 m 36 60 KH Prishtina
11 CB Valon Dedaj (1989-09-25) 25 September 1989 1.75 m 30 111 HSC Kreuzlingen
12 GK Flamur Gërbeshi (1990-04-14) 14 April 1990 1.88 m 15 0 Amo Handboll
13 PV Fatlum Ahmeti (1990-03-16) 16 March 1990 1.85 m 14 21 LIF Lindesberg
14 RB Drenit Tahirukaj (1998-04-28) 28 April 1998 1.90 m 16 29 HSC Kreuzlingen
15 LB Deniz Terziqi (1993-10-06) 6 October 1993 1.89 m 32 95 KH Prishtina
19 LW Oltion Beshiri (1994-05-18) 18 May 1994 1.81 m 34 63 KH Prishtina
20 CB Endrit Abdullahi (1995-12-08) 8 December 1995 1.90 m 10 21 Rimbo HK
22 PV Petrit Prekazi (1991-06-10) 10 June 1991 1.85 m 22 16 KH Prishtina
23 RW Albin Xhafolli (1998-11-01) 1 November 1998 1.90 m 3 3 TSV Fortitudo Gossau
24 PV Luigj Quni (1996-02-26) 26 February 1996 1.91 m 23 27 ØIF Arendal
26 RW Drilon Tahirukaj (1995-08-28) 28 August 1995 1.80 m 26 48 KH Besa Famgas
28 GK Haris Berisha (1996-06-26) 26 June 1996 1.99 m 24 1 HSC Kreuzlingen
31 LB Bujar Ramosaj (1995-02-09) 9 February 1995 1.96 m 11 2 KH Besa Famgas
33 LB Jon Muqolli (1999-02-11) 11 February 1999 1.90 m 5 1 KH Besa Famgas
34 CB Leonard Gegaj (2001-02-10) 10 February 2001 1.83 m 5 3 IK Sävehof
68 CB Egzon Gjuka (1995-05-17) 17 May 1995 1.91 m 21 45 KH Besa Famgas
91 GK Liridon Zena (1991-04-11) 11 April 1991 1.90 m 4 0 RK Zamet

Coaches
  • Alfred Llazari (2014–2015)
  • Taib Kabashi (2015–2016)
  • Taip Ramadani (Since 2016)

Captains
  • Ylber Mjeku (2014-2016)
  • Valon Dedaj (Since 2016)

Individual all-time records


Kosovo National Men's team - 2019. Photo: Shpend Ahmeti

Kit suppliers

Since 2019, Kosovo's kits have been supplied by Kempa.


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