2011–12 KF Tirana season

Tirana
2011–12 season
Chairman Lulzim Basha
Manager Julián Rubio
Ground Selman Stërmasi Stadium
Albanian Superliga 2011–12 Albanian Superliga#League table
Albanian Cup 2011–12 Albanian Cup#Final
Europa League Second qualifying round
Home colours
Away colours
← 2010–11

The 2011–12 season is Klubi i Futbollit Tirana's 73rd competitive season, 73rd consecutive season in the Albanian Superliga and 91st year in existence as a football club. Following the title win three seasons ago, KF Tirana added to their 23 titles to make it their record 24th title win. KF Tirana played UEFA Europa League starting from 2nd Round against FC Spartak Trnava.

The 2011-2012 season started very well for now a consolidated Tirana. They added another trophy in their wealthy palmares, the 9th Supercup, by winning the final match against defending champions KF Skënderbeu Korçë in Korçë, with a single goal of Bekim Bala.

White and blues ended the League in the 3rd place, 5 points below crowned champions KF Skënderbeu Korçë, even though outstanding Spanish coach Julián Rubio had to re-create the squad twice, due to lack of players who left the club by late summer. Additionally, Tirana players and staff had to outface a temporary financial kink, caused from the latter club transformation to sh.a. which had negative influence in the limited number of quality players which approached from the market. At majority of the season coach Rubio had severe difficulties and wasn't able to even to create a proper official squad for a match! Nonetheless, despite all difficulties faced, Tirana finally ended the season in the best possible way earning 2 trophies out of 3, by also winning their 15th Cup trophy. Tirana won the final against their fierce rivals of last 2 seasons KF Skënderbeu Korçë, with Bekim Bala becoming again the key scorer, netting the winning goal at 107' at extra-time, since regular time ended goalless draw.[1]

KF Tirana played UEFA Europa League starting from 2nd Round against FC Spartak Trnava. Being eliminated by 1-3 in aggregate, after goalless home draw and 1-3 away loss. Tirana finished first half 1-0 ahead in scoreline but conceded 3 goals at second half, saying farewell to Europe after only 2 matches.

Key event

12 October 2011 was a key event for club's future. The Municipality Council voted with unanimous consent the transformation of KF Tirana status to a shareholders association. Since then, the club is originally named as KF Tirana Sh.A (Shoqëri Aksionere). Municipality of Tirana will initially hold 100% of shares, however any future private sponsors or donors approaches to share stock would always be welcome.[2]

Background

Kit

Other information

President Lulzim Basha
Ground (capacity and dimensions) Selman Stërmasi stadium (12, 500 / 105m x 68m)

Source: Selman Stërmasi stadium

Coaching staff

As of November, 2012[3]
Position Name
Head coach Julián Rubio
Assistant coach Sokol Bulku
Goalkeeping coach Astrit Nallbani
Technical Director Alban Tafaj
Club Secretary Iva Mera
Athletic Coach Adrian Bekteshi
Physical Therapy Arzen Voci
OPS Arba Morina
Reporter Lorin Burba

Players

2011–12 squad

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

No. Position Player
1 Albania GK Ilion Lika (captain)
2 Albania DF Elvis Sina
3 Albania DF Erjon Dushku
4 Albania MF Gentian Muça
5 Albania DF Entonio Pashaj
6 Albania DF Renaldo Kalari
7 Albania DF Arjan Pisha
8 Albania MF Elton Muçollari
9 Albania MF Afrim Taku
10 Albania MF Mensur Limani
11 Albania MF Gilman Lika
No. Position Player
12 Albania MF Julian Ahmataj
13 Albania MF Erando Karabeci
14 Albania FW Mario Morina
16 Albania FW Mirel Cota
17 Albania MF Klodian Duro
18 Albania MF Nertil Ferraj
19 Albania MF Ardit Peposhi
20 Albania MF Gerald Tusha
21 Albania FW Arber Abilaliaj
24 Albania MF Gerald Tusha
25 Albania GK Xhino Sejdo
27 Albania MF Fabio Hoxha
30 Italy MF Francesco Pigoni

Foreign players

Reserves and academy

For the reserve and academy squads, see KF Tirana Reserves and Academy.

References

  1. "2011–12 Albanian Cup – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia". En.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  2. Tirana kthehet ne sh.a. (in Albanian)
  3. "KF Tirana staff". Soccerway.com. Retrieved November 12, 2012.