Albanian Superliga
 | |
| Country |
 Albania |
|---|---|
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Founded | 6 June 1930 |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | First Division |
| Domestic cup(s) |
Albanian Cup Albanian Supercup |
| International cup(s) |
Champions League Europa League |
| Current champions |
KF Skënderbeu (5th title) (2013–14) |
| Most championships | KF Tirana (24 titles) |
| TV partners |
TVSH SuperSport |
| Website | Official |
 2014–15 Albanian Superliga | |
The Albanian Superliga (Albanian: Kategoria Superiore), is a professional league for men's association football clubs. At the top of the Albanian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Currently contested by 10 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Albanian First Division. Seasons currently run from August to May, with teams playing 36 matches each (playing each team in the league four times, twice at home and twice away) totalling 360 matches in the season. Most games are played in the afternoons of Saturdays and Sundays, the other games during weekday evenings, typically on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The competition was originally founded in 1930 as the Albanian National Championship during the reign of King Zog, shortly after the creation of the Albanian Football Association. Since 1930, 43 clubs have competed in officially recognised competitions, while only 8 clubs have won the title: KF Tirana (24), Dinamo Tirana, Partizani Tirana (15), Vllaznia Shkodër (9), Skënderbeu Korçë (5), KF Elbasani (1), Flamurtari Vlorë (1) and Teuta Durrës (1). The current champions are Skënderbeu Korçë, who won their 4th consecutive title in 2013-14.
History
Early history
Football was first introduced to Albania by an English-Maltese priest named Gut Ruter, who visited the Saverian college in Shkodër in 1908. Arguably, the first football club in Albania was Indipendenca, and it was founded in Shkodër in 1912 by Palokë Nika.[1] The first 90 minute game to be played with two 45 minute halves took place in October 1913 Indipendenca Shkodër and the occupying Austro-Hungarian Imperial Navy. The game is considered to be the first international game to be played in Albania, and it ended in a 2-1 loss for Indipendenca, with the captain and founder of the club Palokë Nika scoring the only goal for the Albanians.[1][2]
The First Division in Albanian football was founded in 1930. Like many countries though, a Premier Division (Superliga) has been founded since then and First Division is now the second level in Albanian football. This became the case in 1998. The league has been dominated by clubs from Albania's capital city, Tirana, with only eighteen titles going elsewhere in the country. Nine of those sixteen titles have gone to Vllaznia Shkodër.
Albania 1st Football Tournament of 1911
It was claimed in the press in 2012 that a championship was played in 1911.[3]
Championships of World War II
Albania was among countries that played football during that period, even though in a limited way. Along this period, AFA organized three championships, 1939, 1940 and 1942.[4][5]
According to all information gathered in years from Albanian and foreign historians, players and veterans who lived these events, clear evidence proves the existence of these championships at that time, as well as the existence of three trophies given from AFA officials themselves. Particularly the 1942 Albanian Superliga had a nationwide participation - the first and the only one so far involving teams from both countries, Albania and Kosovo. KF Tirana have won two of these championships, 1939 Albanian Superliga & 1942 Albanian Superliga and KS Vllaznia have won 1940 Albanian Superliga. This would update the championship trophies won by these clubs to respectively 26 and 10 to present time.
The AFA made a decision in February 2013 that the wartime championships are not legitimate and won't be recognized since they weren't organized by the AFA.[6]
Current competition format
There are 10 clubs in the Superior League. During the course of the season (from August to May) each club plays the others 4 times, twice at their home stadium and twice at that of their opponents, for a total of 36 games. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then head-to-head record, then goal difference, and then goals scored. At the end of each season, the club with the most points are crowned champions. If points are equal, the head-to head record and then goal difference determine the winner. The two lowest placed teams are relegated to the Albanian First Division and the top two teams from there are promoted in their place.
Qualification for European competitions
As of the start of the 2013–14 Albanian Superliga season, qualification for European competitions is as follows: champions qualify for the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League, second and third place qualifies for the 1st qualifying round of the Europa League. The Albanian Cup winners qualify for the 1st qualifying round of the Europa League.
- 41
(42) 
Montenegrin First League (5.250) - 42
(39) 
First Macedonian Football League (5.250) - 43 (44) Albanian Superliga (4.166)
- 44 (45)
Maltese Premier League (3.958) - 45 (43)
Liechtenstein Football Cup (3.500)[7]
Creation of the Pan-Albanian league
On 4 January 2013 the Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha has called on the creation of a study group to create a Pan-Albanian football league, as well as pan-Albanian leagues in all sports, where teams from both Albania and Kosovo would participate.[8] However Armand Duka, president of the FSHF, thinks that the idea cannot be realized given that the statutes of UEFA and FIFA would not allow such league.[9]
2014-15 Member Clubs
The following 10 clubs will compete in the Superliga during the 2014–15 season.
| Club | City or town |
Position in 2013–14 season |
First season in top division |
Number of seasons in top division |
First season of current spell in top division |
Top division titles |
Last top division title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apolonia Fier | Fier | 2nd in the First Division | 1945 | 2014-15 | — | ||
| KF Elbasani | Elbasan | 1st in the First Division | 1930 | 2014–15 | 2 | 2005-06 | |
| Flamurtari Vlorë | Vlorë | 7th | 1930 | 2006-07 | 1 | 1990-91 | |
| FK Kukësi | Kukës | 2nd | 2011-12 | 3 | 2011-12 | — | |
| KF Laçi | Laç | 3rd | 1991-92 | 2009-10 | — | ||
| Partizani Tirana | Tiranë | 5th | 1947 | 2012-13 | 15 | 2007-08 | |
| Skënderbeu Korçë | Korçë | 1st | 1930 | 2009-10 | 5 | 2013-14 | |
| Teuta Durrës | Durrës | 4th | 1930 | 1962-63 | 1 | 1993-94 | |
| KF Tirana | Tiranë | 6th | 1930 | 1930 | 24 | 2008-09 | |
| Vllaznia Shkodër | Shkodër | 8th | 1930 | 1962-63 | 9 | 2000-01 | |
All-time champions, second placed and leading goalscorers
Table
| Year | Champions | Runners-up | Leading goalscorer (Club) | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | SK Tirana | KF Skënderbeu | Emil Hajnali (SK Tirana) Rexhep Maçi (SK Tirana) | 3* |
| 1931 | SK Tirana | Teuta | Aristotel Samsuri (KF Skënderbeu) | 9 |
| 1932 | SK Tirana | Vllaznia | Haki Korça (SK Tirana) | 4* |
| 1933 | KF Skënderbeu | Vllaznia | Servet Tefik Agai (KF Skënderbeu) | 7 |
| 1934 | SK Tirana | KF Skënderbeu | Mark Gurashi (SK Tirana) | 12 |
| 1935 | (not held) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1936 | SK Tirana | Vllaznia | Riza Lushta (SK Tirana) | 11 |
| 1937 | SK Tirana | Vllaznia | Riza Lushta (SK Tirana) | 25 |
| 1938 | (not held) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1939 | SK Tirana (not recognized officially by AFA) | Vllaznia | N/A | N/A |
| 1940 | Vllaznia (not recognized officially by AFA) | KF Skënderbeu | N/A | N/A |
| 1941 | (not held) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1942 | SK Tirana (not recognized officially by AFA) | Vllaznia | N/A | N/A |
| 1943 | (not held) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1944 | (not held) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1945 | Vllaznia | SK Tirana | Loro Boriçi (Vllaznia) | 11* |
| 1946 | Vllaznia | Flamurtari | Xhevdet Shaqiri (Vllaznia) | 11 |
| 1947 | Partizani | Vllaznia | Hamdi Bakalli (Partizani) | 7* |
| 1948 | Partizani | Flamurtari | Tish Daija (Flamurtari) Zihni Gjinali (Partizani) | 11 |
| 1949 | Partizani | Vllaznia | Zihni Gjinali (Partizani) | 14* |
| 1950 | Dinamo | Partizani | Refik Resmja (Partizani) | ?? |
| 1951 | Dinamo | Partizani | Refik Resmja (Partizani) | 59 |
| 1952 | Dinamo | Partizani | Refik Resmja (Partizani) | 17* |
| 1953 | Dinamo | Partizani | Refik Resmja (Partizani) | 9* |
| 1954 | Partizani | Dinamo | Refik Resmja (Partizani) | 13* |
| 1955 | Dinamo | Partizani | Refik Resmja (Partizani) Skënder Jareci (Dinamo) | 23 |
| 1956 | Dinamo | Partizani | Refik Resmja (Partizani) | 17 |
| 1957 | Partizani | Dinamo | Niko Bespalla (Teuta) | 15 |
| 1958 | Partizani | Besa | Skënder Jareci (Dinamo) | 14 |
| 1959 | Partizani | SK Tirana | Stavri Lubonja (Dinamo) | 11 |
| 1960 | Dinamo | Partizani | Skënder Jareci (Dinamo) | 16 |
| 1961 | Partizani | Dinamo | Panajot Pano (Partizani) | 17 |
| 1962–63 | Partizani | Dinamo | Robert Jashari (Partizani) | 18 |
| 1963–64 | Partizani | Dinamo | Robert Jashari (Partizani) | 9 |
| 1964–65 | KF Tirana | Partizani | Robert Jashari (Partizani) | 14 |
| 1965–66 | KF Tirana | Partizani | Sajmir Dauti (Dinamo) | 13 |
| 1966–67 | Dinamo (not recognized officially by UEFA) | KF Tirana | Medin Zhega (Dinamo) | 19 |
| 1968 | KF Tirana | Partizani | Skënder Hyka (KF Tirana) | 19 |
| 1969–70 | KF Tirana | Partizani | Panajot Pano (Partizani) | 17 |
| 1970–71 | Partizani | Dinamo | Ilir Përnaska (Dinamo) | 19 |
| 1971–72 | Vllaznia | KF Tirana | Ilir Përnaska (Dinamo) | 17 |
| 1972–73 | Dinamo | Partizani | Ilir Përnaska (Dinamo) | 12 |
| 1973–74 | Vllaznia | Partizani | Ilir Përnaska (Dinamo) | 19 |
| 1974–75 | Dinamo | Vllaznia | Ilir Përnaska (Dinamo) | 17 |
| 1975–76 | Dinamo | KF Tirana | Ilir Përnaska (Dinamo) | 18 |
| 1976–77 | Dinamo | KF Skënderbeu | Agim Murati (Partizani) | 12 |
| 1977–78 | Vllaznia | Luftëtari | Agim Murati (Partizani) | 14 |
| 1978–79 | Partizani | KF Tirana | Agim Murati (Partizani) Petrit Dibra (KF Tirana) | 14 |
| 1979–80 | Dinamo | KF Tirana | Përparim Kovaçi (Tomori) | 18 |
| 1980–81 | Partizani | Dinamo | Dashnor Bajaziti (Besa) | 12 |
| 1981–82 | KF Tirana | Flamurtari | Vasil Ruci (Flamurtari) | 12 |
| 1982–83 | Vllaznia | Partizani | Dashnor Bajaziti (Besa) | 16 |
| 1983–84 | KS Elbasani | KF Tirana | Vasil Ruci (Flamurtari) | 12 |
| 1984–85 | KF Tirana | Dinamo | Faslli Fakja (Vllaznia) Arben Minga (KF Tirana) | 13 |
| 1985–86 | Dinamo | Flamurtari | Kujtim Majaci (Apolonia) | 20 |
| 1986–87 | Partizani | Flamurtari | Arben Arbëri (Tomori) | 14 |
| 1987–88 | KF Tirana | Flamurtari | Agustin Kola (KF Tirana) | 18 |
| 1988–89 | KF Tirana | Partizani | Agustin Kola (KF Tirana) | 19 |
| 1989–90 | Dinamo | Partizani | Kujtim Majaci (Apolonia) | 19 |
| 1990–91 | Flamurtari | Partizani | Kliton Bozgo (Tomori) | 29 |
| 1991–92 | Vllaznia | Partizani | Edmir Bilali (Vllaznia) | 21 |
| 1992–93 | Partizani | Teuta | Edmond Dosti (Partizani) | 20 |
| 1993–94 | Teuta | KF Tirana | Edi Martini (Vllaznia) | 14 |
| 1994–95 | KF Tirana | Teuta | Arben Shehu (Luftëtari) | 21 |
| 1995–96 | KF Tirana | Teuta | Altin Çuko (Tomori) & (Laçi) | 21 |
| 1996–97 | KF Tirana | Vllaznia | Viktor Paço (Flamurtari) | 14 |
| 1997–98 | Vllaznia | KF Tirana | Dorian Bubeqi (Shkumbini) | 26 |
| 1998–99 | KF Tirana | Vllaznia | Artan Bano (KS Lushnja) | 22 |
| 1999–00 | KF Tirana | Tomori | Klodian Arbëri (Tomori) | 18 |
| 2000–01 | Vllaznia | KF Tirana | Indrit Fortuzi (KF Tirana) | 31 |
| 2001–02 | Dinamo | KF Tirana | Indrit Fortuzi (KF Tirana) | 24 |
| 2002–03 | KF Tirana | Vllaznia | Mahir Halili (KF Tirana) | 20 |
| 2003–04 | KF Tirana | Dinamo | Vioresin Sinani (Vllaznia) | 36 |
| 2004–05 | KF Tirana | KS Elbasani | Dorian Bylykbashi (Partizani) | 24 |
| 2005–06 | KS Elbasani | KF Tirana | Hamdi Salihi (KF Tirana) | 29 |
| 2006–07 | KF Tirana | Teuta | Vioresin Sinani (KF Tirana) | 23 |
| 2007–08 | Dinamo | Partizani | Vioresin Sinani (Vllaznia) | 20 |
| 2008–09 | KF Tirana | Vllaznia | Migen Memelli (KF Tirana) | 23 |
| 2009–10 | Dinamo | Besa | Daniel Xhafa (Besa) | 18 |
| 2010–11 | Skenderbeu | Flamurtari | Daniel Xhafa (Flamurtari) | 19 |
| 2011–12 | Skenderbeu | Teuta | Roland Dervishi (Shkumbini) | 20 |
| 2012–13 | Skenderbeu | FK Kukesi | Migen Memelli (Flamurtari) | 19 |
| 2013–14 | Skenderbeu | FK Kukesi | Pero Pejić (Skenderbeu) | 20 |
Note: from 1958 to 1991, KF Tirana and KS Elbasani were named respectively 17 Nëntori and Labinoti
Performance by club
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Championship seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| KF Tirana | |
|
1930, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1964-1965, 1966-67, 1968, 1969-1970, 1981-1982, 1984-1985, 1987-1988, 1988-1989, 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2006-2007, 2008-2009 |
| Dinamo Tirana | |
|
1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1966-67, 1972–1973, 1974–1975, 1975–1976, 1976–1977, 1979–1980, 1985–1986, 1989–1990, 2001–2002, 2007–2008, 2009–2010 |
| Partizani Tirana | |
|
1947, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962–1963, 1963–1964, 1970–1971, 1978–1979, 1980–1981, 1986–1987, 1992-1993 |
| Vllaznia Shkodër | |
|
1940 (not yet recognized by AFA), 1945, 1946, 1971-1972, 1973-1974, 1977-1978, 1982-1983, 1991-1992, 1997-1998, 2000-2001 |
| Skenderbeu Korce | |
|
1933, 2010–2011, 2011–2012, 2012–2013, 2013-2014 |
| KS Elbasani | |
|
1983–1984, 2005–2006 |
| Flamurtari Vlore | |
|
1990–1991 |
| Teuta Durrës | |
|
1993–1994 |
- KF Tirana and KS Vllaznia would have respectively won 26 and 10 titles, should World War 2 championships played during years 1939-1942 be officially recognized from AFA. Read above for further information, details or references.
All-time top scorers
All-time top-scorers of the Albanian Superliga.
| # | Scorer | Goals | Teams | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vioresin Sinani | 206 | Vllaznia (178), KF Tirana (23), Besa (5) | 1997–2012 |
| 2 | Daniel Xhafa | 205 | Bylis (12), Flamurtari (32), Dinamo (23), Teuta (82), KF Tirana (18), Besa (18) | 1997–2014 |
| 3 | Refik Resmja | 184 | KF Tirana (4), Partizani (180) | 1948–1964 |
| 4 | Indrit Fortuzi | 167 | Dinamo (15), KF Tirana (152) | 1992–2008 |
| 5 | Panajot Pano | 144 | KF Tirana (8), Partizani (136) | 1958–1974 |
| 6 | Agustin Kola | 140 | Shkëndija Tiranë (7), KF Tirana (133) | 1978–1997 |
| 7 | Ilir Përnaska | 136 | Dinamo (136) | 1968–1981 |
| 8 | Skënder Jareci | 122 | Teuta (3), Dinamo (119) | 1949–1965 |
| 9 | Migen Memelli | 110 | KF Skënderbeu (18), Teuta (13), KS Elbasani (16), Laçi (1), KF Tirana (23), Flamurtari (33), Partizani (6) | 2000–Present |
| 10 | Dorjan Bubeqi | 110 | Albpetrol (4), Shkumbini (48), Besa (19), Luftëtari (3), Apolonia (6) Bylis (9) Lushnja (6) | 1997–2013 |
| 11 | Arben Minga | 105 | KF Tirana (105) | 1977–1996 |
| 12 |  Pero Pejic | 101 | KS Dinamo Tirana(26), KF Tirana(14), Flamurtari(9), Skenderbeu(31), FK Kukesi(22) | 2008– |
| 13 | Loro Boriçi | 101 | Vllaznia (23), Partizani (77), Spartak Tirana (1) | 1937–1957 |
| 14 | Medin Zhega | 101 | Vllaznia (66), Dinamo (35) | 1964–1978 |
| 15 | Gjergji Muzaka | 92 | Partizani Tirana (44), KF Tirana
(17), Dinamo Tirana (4), Skenderbeu Korce (20), Flamurtari Vlore (15) | 2001–Present |
| 16 | Vasil Ruci | 94 | Flamurtari (94) | 1977–1993 |
| 17 | Enver Ibërshimi | 92 | Elbasani (92) | 1960–1973 |
| 18 | Fjodor Xhafa | 90 | Flamurtari (22), Dinamo (20), Bylis (7), KF Tirana (30), Elbasani (8) | 1994–2013 |
| 19 | Mexhit Haxhiu | 87 | Flamurtari (77), Partizani (10) | 1963–1976 |
| 20 | Sokol Kushta | 86 | Flamurtari (55), Partizani (31) | 1980-1991 |
Seasons top scorers
The following is the list of the Albanian Superliga top scorers by season.[11]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gjergj Kola. "Palokë Nika - personazhi historik i sportit Shqiptar" (in Albanian). Shkodra Sport. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
- ↑ "Një historik i shkurtër i futbollit në Shkodër" (in Albanian). Vllaznia.al. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
- ↑ Sport Ekspres, 14 February 2012, page 7
- ↑ RSSSF
- ↑ http://www.giovanniarmillotta.it/albania/calcio/trekampionate.html
- ↑ AFA's General Assembly: War championships are not legitimate
- ↑ UEFA Country Ranking 2013 kassiesa.com, accessed 13 July 2013
- ↑ Asport (4 January 2013). "Berisha: Të krijohen Liga mbarëkombëtare në të gjitha sportet". Asport.
- ↑ Ora Info (6 January 2013). "BerishaDuka: Liga Mbarëkombëtare, ide e parealizueshme". Ora Info.
- ↑ War championships still unrecognized from AFA 10 if 1 WW2 championships added
- ↑ (Italian) Albania - I capocannonieri del campionato, Calcio Mondiale Web
External links
- FSHF website
- Kategoria Superiore at FIFA
- Superliga at soccerway.com
- League321.com - Albanian football league tables, records & statistics
- Albania - List of Champions at RSSSF.com
- Albanian football site
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