KF Skënderbeu Korçë

K.F. Skënderbeu Korçë (Albanian: Klubi futbollistik Skënderbeu Korçë, in English: Football Club Skenderbeu Korce) is a football club based in Korçë, a city in southeastern Albania . They play in the Albanian Superliga, which is the top tier in the country and are currently reigning champions. The club is named after Albania's greatest hero of all time, Skanderbeg (Skënderbeu). The club plays its home games at Stadiumi Skënderbeu which is one of the largest stadiums in the country, with a seating capacity of over 12,000.

History

Early years (1909–1927)

The club was founded in the city of Korçë on 15 April 1909 under the name "Vllazëria" by politician and poet Hilë Mosi, making it the oldest club in Albania. During the years 1920 and 1922 there were football associations made in Korçë for the first time, such as Përparimi and Sport Klub Korça, in 1923 the Shpresa society was founded under the Albanian National Lyceum. But it was not until 1925 that Skënderbeu would be born, as football began to more popular in this city of Albania, almost every field would be used as a football ground for locals to play and enjoy the sport. This led to many neighbourhoods in Korçës trying to form their own small football teams. In 1926 the Zhgaba society was created, and in 1927 many neighbourhood teams were finally set up, such as Leka i Madh, Pirro, Brekverdhit, Zjarri, Tigri and Diamanti. However there was still a main squad representing the city, which was Skënderbeu who managed to overcome problems in the start, some even political.^[2]

1930s Championships

The club participated for the first time in the Albanian Superliga in 1930, which was the first Albanian tournament. At this time th entire city was behind the club , which helped Skënderbeu, along with the likes of KF Tirana and Vllaznia Shkodër earn a big name for themselves in this early chapter of Albanian football. During the 1930 championship, Skënderbeu finished runners up to KF Tirana, after forfeiting both championship playoff matches.^[3] The club managed to win its first ever Albanian Championship just 3 years later in 1933, finishing 2 points ahead of Vllaznia.^[4] The championship winning side was: Klani Marjani, Kristaq Bimbli, Andrea Çani, Andon Miti, Lefter Petra, Flori Stasa, Nexhat Dishnica, Tomor Ypi, Thoma Vangjeli, Servet Teufik Agaj, Enver Kulla, Vasil Trebicka, Stavri Kondili, Aristotel Samsuri, with Qemal Omari as their manager.

Skënderbeu is also a three time finalist in the Albanian Cup in 1958, 1965 and 1976, in which they lost all three finals. They did however win the Albanian First Division in 1976/77 as well as three other times with the last win in 2008–2009 season where Skënderbeu won the rights to move into the Albanian Superliga where they have never looked back. As of May 8, 2011 they are the current champions in Albanian Superliga, thanks to their devoted manager Shpetim Duro, their generous and son of this city, president Agim Zeqo, and of course a very supportive fan base. The greatest manager in the club's history is Fredi Stefo who is also their most successful manager ever, with the first team and youth teams.^[2]

Players over the ages

Some players over the ages include, Koço Dinella, Jani Kaçi, Dhimitër Dëmbo, Aleko Toshi, Gaqo Lara, Tefik Osmani, Stavrion Lako, Bledi Shkëmbi, Paulin Dhëmbi, Dhimitraq Xhambazi, Gjergji Ballço, Aleko Pilika, Maksim Tuxhari, Petro Mile, Hektor Shkurti, Gjergo Shule, Ridvan Shëllira, Ëngjëll Dvorani, Aristotel Samsuri, Servet Teufik Agaj, Servet Gora, Kleo Marjani, Gentian Liçi and Petrika Tole.

Stadium

K.F. Skënderbeu Korçë play their home games at Stadiumi Skënderbeu, a multi-use stadium in Korçë. It has a seating capacity of 12,000 people all seater with night lighting.

Supporters

KF Skenderbeu is one of the teams with the greatest number of supporters in Albania.The Ultra` group was formed in 2005 under the name "Ujqerit e Debore" (Snow wolves).They are well-known for their special choreographies.

Honours and achievements

Domestic

• Albanian Superliga
  • Champions : 1933, 2010–11
  • Runners-up : 1930, 1934 & 1976–77
• Albanian First Division
  • Champions: 2006–07
  • Runners-up: 1989–90, 1994–95, 2004–05
• Albanian Cup
  • Runners-up: 1958, 1965 & 1976
• Albanian Supercup
  • Runners-up: 2011
• SuperSport Trophy
  • Winners: 2011

Seasons top scorers

Records

• Biggest ever European home defeat: Skënderbeu Korçë 0:2 APOEL - 13 July 2011
• Biggest ever European away defeat: APOEL 4:0 Skënderbeu Korçë - 20 July 2011

European competitions record

By competition

(As of 15 September 2011)

#Q = #preliminary, #PO = #play-offs, #G = #Group stage, #R = #round, 1/8 = quarter finals

• 1QR = 1st Qualifying Round
• 2QR = 2nd Qualifying Round
• 1R = 1st Round
• 2R = 2nd Round
• 3R = 3rd Round

Balkans Cup

Players

Current squad

(As of 29 September 2011)

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

Foreign players

Current staff

Headship

Current coaching staff

Medical staff

Sponsorship

Main Sponsors

• Official shirt sponsor – Ama Coffee
• Official host broadcaster – SuperSport Albania
• Official sport clothing provider – Legea

Other Sponsors

• Red Bull Albania
• Birra Korça
• Plus Communication
• Qëndra Tregtare Univers

External links

Official websites

• Official Website (Albanian)
• Albanian Football Association Official Website (Albanian) (English)

Sponsor links

• Red Bull Albania (Albanian)
• Ama Coffee (English) (Spanish)
• Birra Korça (Albanian) (English)
• SuperSport Albania (Albanian)
• Plus Communication (Albanian) (English)
• Qëndra Tregtare Univers (QTU) (Albanian)

References