KF Shkëndija

KF Shkëndija
Full name Klubi i Futbollit Shkëndija / Fudbalski Klub Shkendija
Nickname(s) Kuq e Zi (The Red and Blacks)
Founded 27 August 1979 (1979-08-27)
Ground Ecolog Arena
Ground Capacity 15,000
Owner Lazim Destani
President Visar Bexheti
Manager Qatip Osmani
League Macedonian First League
2016–17 2nd
Website Club website

KF Shkëndija (Macedonian: ФК Шкендија, FK Shkendija) is a football club based in Tetovo, Republic of Macedonia. Their home stadium is Ecolog Arena and they currently play in the Macedonian First League. In the 2010–11 season of the First Macedonian Football League the club won its first major championship.

History

SFRY Period

The original senior Shkëndija team

KF Shkëndija was formed on 27 August 1979 by ethnic Albanians from Tetovo.[1][2] The purpose of forming the club was so that the Albanians throughout Yugoslavia could unite in supporting a club for Albanians. FK Shkëndija was frowned upon by Yugoslav officials as it was thought the club would awaken nationalist feeling among the Albanians of Yugoslavia. Starting at the lowest division in Yugoslavia, Shkëndija won the league in the 1979–1980 season, resulting in Shkëndija being promoted into the Third division.[3] After claiming the third division title in the 1980–1981 season, Shkëndija was then again promoted into the Second division. However, as the popularity of the club began to increase among the Albanian population of Yugoslavia, the ruling communist government members disbanded the club, worried that the club would start a nationalistic revival in Yugoslavia.[3]

Re-establishment

After Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia, KF Shkëndija was re-established into the Macedonian Football League. It started at the Fourth division, eventually being promoted each season to the third, second and finally, to the First division.[3] In the 2010–11 season of the First Macedonian Football League the club won its first major championship with an unbeaten run of 16 games.[4] On 20 May 2012, Shkëndija handed FK Vardar its first loss of the season with a 1–0 victory.[5]

The Ecolog era

During the 2012–13 season, Shkëndija was embroiled in financial difficulties and as a result, many of its players left the club earlier in the summer. The Shkëndija supporters, the Ballistët, began a social media campaign requesting Ecolog to take over Shkëndija.[6] Albanian international, Lorik Cana and Swiss international, Xherdan Shaqiri also joined the campaign with the supporters.[6] On 31 July 2013, Lazim Destani, father of Ecolog founder and chairman, Nazif Destani, announced Ecolog International will take charge of Shkëndija.[6][7] Under the new administration, Shkëndija bought in over five new players to the squad, four days before the transfer season ended, as well as balancing the financial state of the club. The new season started averagely for Shkëndija, amassing five draws in a row. However, on 21 September 2013, Shkëndija comfortably defeated rivals FK Vardar in a 3–1 home game during the derby, displaying improvement of the club under Ecolog. However, for the next eight fixtures, Shkëndija were very inconsistent, drawing once, winning three and losing four. After losing 5–0 to FK Rabotnički, manager Gjore Jovanovski was relieved of his duties. Shpëtim Duro was named the manager Shkëndija just 15 hours after the sacking of Jovanovski. He was first hired as a temporary caretaker manager for the club's the remaining 3 games before the long winter break, but signed a contract with the club to be the manager for the remainder of the 2013–14 season.[8][9]

During the winter break, Shkëndija was the most active team in the Prva Liga during the transfer period, bringing in 9 new players, further revamping the football club in preparation for the second half of the season. The second half of the season saw drastic improvement for Shkëndija under Shpëtim Duro, moving them from 8th position near the relegation zone, to 4th position at the end of the season, winning their final seven games in a row.[10] Shkendija earned a spot in the 2014–15 first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

Supporters

Ballistët

The supporters of Shkëndija are called the Ballistët, named after the World War II Balli Kombëtar. When the club was formed in 1979, use of nationalism was strictly prohibited by the Yugoslavian government. The supporting firm of Shkëndija called themselves BAL, using the first three letters of Balli Kombëtar. When Shkëndija was reinstated into the Macedonian Football League, the supporting firm was re-established as the Ballistët in 1992. When kick-off commences, The Ballistët always sing the national anthem of Albania. In Tetovo, the group has been responsible for the desecration of the monument to the fallen partisans in the national-liberation struggle. They graffiti "Ballistet Shkëndija" and "1992 Ultras".[11] This occurred ten days after the Macedonian independence day.[11]

The Ballistët are one of the most notorious football supporter groups in Macedonia.[12] Their antics are occasionally reported on the news. On 18 October 2010, Shkëndija played against FK Napredok away in Kicevo. The Ballist removed the Macedonian flag from the mast and put an Albanian flag in its place. As the police tried to put the Macedonian flag up again, the Ballist tore out their seats and threw them at the police.[12]

Fans of opposing clubs barely go to Ecolog Arena as the "Ballistet" are one of the largest firms in Macedonia.[12] This was noted when FK Rabotnički played Shkëndija in 2008. Rabotnicki had the lead over Shkëndija in Tetovo with the score 0:1. A loss would have meant relegation into the second division.[13] At half time, Rabotnicki's players and coaches were attacked when they were leaving the pitch. Rabotnicki supporters and police could not stop the large presence of Shkëndija supporters, resulting in the match to be abandoned and Shkëndija being relegated to the second league.[13]

On 3 August 2010, during a heated match with city rivals Teteks, the majority of the supporters of Teteks, the Vojvodi, abandoned their team in the 78th minute and left the stadium to avoid clashing with the Shkëndija supporters after the game.[14][15] Those that remained for the whole game had to remain in the stadium as the Ballistët were outside the stadium waiting for them.[14] A heavy police presence escorted the Teteks supporters out of the stadium.

On 11 September 2011, the Shkendija supporters attacked fans and players of FK Ohrid at half time. This resulted in Shkendija supporters being suspended for two home matches.[16]

After Partizan Belgrade defeated Shkëndija in Skopje for the qualifying rounds of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League, Partizan coach Aleksandar Stanojevic stated that Shkëndija out played Partizan in the first half due to the great atmosphere of the Shkëndija supporters intimidating the Partizan players.[17] In the match, the Albanian flag covered the entire west end of the stadium, along with banners such as "Ballistet", "1st state Albania, 2nd state Kosova, 3rd state coming soon" and "24 March 1999".[18] The Ballistet chanted notable remarks such as, "Ubi ubi srbina" (Kill the Serbs) ,[19] Adem Jashari, UÇK, Republic of Kosovo and singing Albanian nationalist songs.[18]

On 10 March 2012, two Shkëndija supporters were arrested after a policeman was stabbed while apparently protecting two men from a mob attack.[20][21] The cause of this was retaliation for the killing of two ethnic Albanians by an off-duty police officer in the town of Gostivar.[22] After the arrests, hardcore Shkendija fans, the Ballistët, threatened to cause trouble in a match against league leaders Vardar Skopje originally scheduled for Wednesday, which had been suspended[20] and played on another date with no fans being allowed to attend.

In May 2012, a delegation of the Ballistët ultras travelled to neighbouring Kosovo to pay their respects at a shrine to Adem Jashari, one of the founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army.[23] On 4 May 2012, the Ballistët joined counter-protests in ethnic Albanian neighbourhoods for the inter-ethnic violence.[23]

On 23 May 2013, the Macedonian Cup final was abandoned late on Wednesday between Shkëndija and Teteks.[24] The match was abandoned after 20 minutes for fear that the chants might ignite violence. The Shkëndija supporters booed the Macedonian national anthem,[25] threw flares at the police and security[26] as well as chanting "Ballisti Zakon", "UÇK" and other nationalistic rhetoric.[24] Also and Macedonian fans of Teteks did the same against Albanians. The match between Teteks and Shkëndija was rescheduled for Sunday and the Macedonian Football Federation said it would be played in an empty stadium to avoid provocation.[24]

After Shkëndija's 5–0 victory over Teteks, Shkëlzen Meta, the leading captain of the Ballistët, handed over the reins to the young Isak Luma.[27]

On 19 October 2014, during the rivalry match against FK Vardar, The Ballistët held a large banner stating "They are cancer of Europe  – UEFA do you need more?!" accompanied with a montage of pictures showing Serb hooligans involved in the Serbia vs England U-21 match, Italy vs Serbia match and the Serbia vs Albania match.[28][29][30] The Ballistët are part of the TKZ ultras group that supports Albania in international football. In the next home game against FK Metalurg, the Ballistët, dissatisfied with the UEFA ruling of the cancelled Serbia vs Albania match, held banners stating "Dear Platinovic, They beat our players and won 3:0! We kill them in the return match and we get EURO 16 final spot??" along with chants against UEFA and Michel Platini.[31][32]

On 7 April 2015, Shkëndija were fined by the FFM and supporters banned due to politically motivated banners and chants, as well as the assault on FK Tetek's manager Gorazd Mihajlov.[33] A banner with a picture of Milenko Nedelkovski and an Orangutan were held up with a caption stating, "is there a difference?".[34] The Ballistët have sent a letter to the FFM stating that the banner was in retaliation for Nedelkovski's offensive remarks about Albanians.[34] Milenko Nedelkovski runs a talk show on Macedonia state television and is a fervent supporter of VMRO-DPMNE.

On the morning of the 23 February 2016, two buses of Buducnost Podgorica supporters, Varvari Podgorica, travelled to Skopje to attend a match. On the road to Skopje, Shkendija supporters, Ballistët, came across the supporters while heading towards the match between Shkendija and Turnovo on the bridge.[35][36] The Shkendija supporters initiated clashes on the road, resulting in damaging the buses and injuring ten Buducnost fans, sending two to hospital with serious injuries.[37][38][39]

Rivalry

Ecolog Arena

Being a club with a strong Albanian nationalist background, Shkëndija has rivalry with most of the Macedonian football clubs. However, the biggest rivalry are with FK Vardar and FK Teteks. The Shkëndija-Teteks rivalry is one of the biggest and most heated in Macedonia. When Shkëndija play against Teteks, majority of the Tetovo police are stationed at Ecolog Arena and ban Shkendija supporters from attending Vardar-Shkendija matches in Skopje, but despite this ban Ballistet attended at Skopje two times.[40]

Honours

Republic of Macedonia Macedonian First League:

Republic of Macedonia Macedonian Football Super Cup:

Republic of Macedonia Macedonian Second League:

Republic of Macedonia Macedonian Football Cup:

Recent seasons

Season League Cup European competitions
Division P W D L F A Pts Pos
1992–93 OFL Tetovo ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 1st ↑
1993–94 3. MFL North-Polog ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 1st ↑
1994–95 2. MFL West 32 16 6 10 61 38 54 4th
1995–96 2. MFL West 30 19 6 5 65 23 63 1st ↑
1996–97 1. MFL 26 8 5 13 27 48 29 13th ↓ R2
1997–98 2. MFL West ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1998–99 2. MFL West ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1999–00 2. MFL West 34 24 5 5 97 21 78 1st ↑ R1
2000–01 1. MFL 26 9 1 16 34 49 28 12th ↓ SF
2001–02 2. MFL Did not participated n/a R1
2002–03 2. MFL 36 20 6 10 71 42 66 4th PR
2003–04 2. MFL 32 19 5 8 69 44 62 2nd ↑ R2
2004–05 1. MFL 33 15 5 13 59 40 50 5th R1
2005–06 1. MFL 33 15 4 14 48 47 49 5th RU
2006–07 1. MFL 33 10 8 15 39 63 38 10th R2
2007–08 1. MFL 33 7 5 21 26 58 26 11th ↓ R2
2008–09 2. MFL 29 15 10 4 67 29 55 3rd SF
2009–10 2. MFL 26 20 3 3 57 15 57(−6) 1st ↑ PR
2010–11 1. MFL 33 21 9 3 65 23 72 1st R1
2011–12 1. MFL 33 20 6 7 53 28 66 3rd R2 Champions League QR2
2012–13 1. MFL 33 13 8 12 52 49 44(−3) 5th RU Europa League QR1
2013–14 1. MFL 33 16 9 8 53 32 57 4th QF
2014–15 1. MFL 32 18 5 9 58 31 59 3rd R2 Europa League QR1
2015–16 1. MFL 32 23 6 3 74 24 75 2nd W Europa League QR1
2016–17 1. MFL 36 20 10 6 71 39 70 2nd RU Europa League PO

European record

Accurate as of 4 August 2017
CompetitionPlayedWonDrewLostGFGAGDWin%
UEFA Champions League 2 0 0 2 0 5 −5 000.00
UEFA Europa League 20 9 5 6 27 18 +9 045.00
Total 22 9 5 8 27 23 +4 040.91

Legend: GF = Goals For. GA = Goals Against. GD = Goal Difference.

Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2011–12 UEFA Champions League Second qualifying round Serbia Partizan 0–1 0–4 0–5
2012–13 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round Northern Ireland Portadown 0–0 1–2 1–2
2014–15 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round Moldova Zimbru 2–1 0–2 2–3
2015–16 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round Scotland Aberdeen 1–1 0–0 1–1 (a)
2016–17 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round Poland Cracovia 2–0 2–1 4–1
Second qualifying round Azerbaijan Neftçi 1–0 0–0 1–0
Third qualifying round Czech Republic Mladá Boleslav 2–0 0–1 2–1
Play-off round Belgium Gent 0–4 1–2 1–6
2017–18 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round Moldova Dacia Chișinău 3–0 4–0 7–0
Second qualifying round Finland HJK 3–1 1–1 4–2
Third qualifying round Lithuania Trakai 3–0 1–2 4–2
Play-off round Italy Milan – – –

UEFA club coefficient ranking

As of 27.07.2017, Source:

Rank Team Points
312Sweden Östersunds FK3.095
313Luxembourg FC Differdange 033.075
314Republic of Macedonia KF Shkëndija3.375
315Latvia FK Jelgava3.050
316Moldova Dacia Chișinău3.025

Top goalscorers in Europe

As of 03.08.2017, Source: kfshkendija.com

Rank Name Shkëndija Career Goals
1 Besart Ibraimi 2015 – 9
2 Ferhan Hasani 2007–2012, 2015 – 5
3 Stênio Júnior 2014 – 4
4 Marjan Radeski 2015 – 2
5 Armend Alimi 2014 – 1
Ivan Čeliković 2017 –
Ardian Cuculi 2006–2014, 2015 –
Hristijan Kirovski 2014–2015
Ivan Mitrov 2014–2015
Bojan Vručina 2014–2016
Arbin Zejnullai 2016 –

Players

Current squad

As of 3 July 2017[42]

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

No. Position Player
1 Republic of Macedonia GK Kostandin Zahov
4 Republic of Macedonia DF Egzon Bejtullai
5 Republic of Macedonia MF Armend Alimi
6 Republic of Macedonia DF Ardian Cuculi (vice-captain)
7 Republic of Macedonia FW Besart Ibraimi
8 Republic of Macedonia MF Ennur Totre
10 Republic of Macedonia MF Ferhan Hasani (captain)
11 Germany MF Stephan Vujčić
12 Republic of Macedonia GK Artan Ilazi
13 Croatia DF Ivan Čeliković
14 Republic of Macedonia FW Marjan Radeski
16 Republic of Macedonia DF Mevlan Murati
No. Position Player
17 Republic of Macedonia MF Arbin Zejnullai
18 Brazil FW Stênio Júnior
19 Republic of Macedonia MF Besmir Bojku
21 Albania DF Olsi Teqja
22 Republic of Macedonia MF Enis Fazlagikj
25 Republic of Macedonia FW Shefit Shefiti
28 Republic of Macedonia FW Ilaz Çilafi
30 Kosovo GK Ilir Avdyli
40 Republic of Macedonia GK Bekim Rexhepi
77 Republic of Macedonia DF Blaže Todorovski
90 Republic of Macedonia FW Besart Abdurahimi

Out on loan

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

No. Position Player
— Kosovo MF Shqiprim Taipi (on loan at Shkupi)
— Republic of Macedonia FW Shpend Asani (on loan at Shkupi)
— Republic of Macedonia MF Ersin Fetahi (on loan at Gostivar)
— Republic of Macedonia FW Bashkim Lama (on loan at Gostivar)

Personnel

Current technical staff

As of 30 June 2016
Position Name
Manager Qatip Osmani
Assistant manager Bashkim Livoreka
Assistant manager Erhan Selimi
Goalkeeping coach Samet Zendeli
Fitness coach Metin Dalip
Scout Vullnet Emini
Juniors coach Bekim Osmani
Cadets coach Berat Imeri

Elbasan Munishi

Coordinator Festim Ademi
Youth coordinator Hysein Kadriu

Management

Position Staff
Owner Lazim Destani
President Visar Bexheti
Sporting Director Malsor Gjonbalaj
General Manager Edi Sejdiu
Finance Director Faton Alili
Operations Director Dritan Musliu

Managers

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

References

  1. ↑ D. Nikolić. "Predstavljamo Škendiju, prvog Partizanovog rivala". Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  2. ↑ "Škendija, šampion Makedonije". Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 "Official KF Shkendija Thread". Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "Shkendija Tetovo wins the Macedonian First League". Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  5. ↑ "Macedonian First League – Round 32". Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 "Ecolog takes over Shkendija". Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  7. ↑ "Ecolog" shpëton Shkëndijën, tha po" (in Albanian). Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  8. ↑ Shpëtim Duro to caretake Shkendija
  9. ↑ Shpëtim Duro, trajneri i Shkëndijës së Tetovës
  10. ↑ "Shpëtim Duro leaves Shkendija". macedonianfootball.com. macedonianfootball. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  11. 1 2 Aleksander Vlajković. "Ballistet "painting the" Partisans". Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  12. 1 2 3 Filip Zdraveski
  13. 1 2 MINA. "Shkëndija Rabotnicki match suspended". Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  14. 1 2 Aqua feat vojvodi on YouTube
  15. ↑ Shkendija vs teteks – Kako begat makedoncite on YouTube
  16. ↑ Darko Jankulovski. "Ohrid: There are no conditions for football in Tetovo". Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  17. ↑ Beta. "Stanojevic: The errors in Skopje can Partizan in Champions League". Retrieved 2011-07-21.
  18. 1 2 Ž. Babovic / D. Nikolić. "Black and white did not dwell on the provocation "balista" in Skopje". Retrieved 2011-07-21.
  19. ↑ "Footage of Shkendija supporters". Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  20. 1 2 worldsoccer. "Macedonia league suspended". Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  21. ↑ eurosport.yahoo. "REFILE-Soccer-Macedonian leagues suspended due to ethnic violence". Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  22. ↑ BBC (2012-03-13). "EU warns Macedonia over ethnic violence". BBC News. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  23. 1 2 Manasiev, Aleksandar (2012-11-30). "Balkans' political football keeps hooligans close to heart of power". The Guardian. Retrieved 2012-09-28.
  24. 1 2 3 Casule, Kole (23 May 2013). "Soccer-Macedonia cup final abandoned after crowd trouble". Reuters. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  25. ↑ Jankulovski, Darko (23 May 2013). "Cup final interrupted". http://macedonianfootball.com. Retrieved 24 May 2013. External link in |newspaper= (help)
  26. ↑ REAGOJN GJORGJI IVANOV, GORDANA JANKULLOVSKA DHE MENDUH THAÇI PAS NDËRPRERJES SË FINALES SË KUPËS (in Albanian). Koha. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  27. ↑ "Isak Luma do të udhëheq me BALLISTËT". Almakos.com. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  28. ↑ Shkëndija – Vardar 1–2 (19.10.2014) (in Albanian). Tetovo, Macedonia: KF Shkendija. 2014.
  29. ↑ "Torcedores albaneses protestam contra a Uefa após briga com Sérvia". Globo Esporte. 2014-10-19. Retrieved 2014-10-21.
  30. ↑ Verrecchia, Adrien (2014-10-21). "Top 10 : Les tifos du week-end". La Grinta. Retrieved 2014-10-22.
  31. ↑ "Ballistët, tjetër mesazh i fortë për Platininë (FOTO LAJM)". albeu.com. albeu. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  32. ↑ "Ubijemo Srbe i idemo na EURO?". Vesti.rs. Vesti. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  33. ↑ "FFM gjobit me 3 000 euro Shkëndijën, Luma pezullohet 1 vit". kfshkendija.com. KF Shkendija. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  34. 1 2
  35. ↑ "IOTS: Fans from Montenegro attacked on their way to Macedonia!". Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 23 Feb 2015.
  36. ↑ Rrahja mes Ballisteve dhe Varvareve – shkurt 2016 on YouTube
  37. ↑ Sukob Varvara i Albanaca(Ballisti) – Conflict between Varvari(Montenegro) and Ballisti(Albanians) on YouTube
  38. ↑ Varvari vs Ballistet (21.02.2016) fight on YouTube
  39. ↑ "IFOTO i VIDEO: Varvari napadnuti u Makedoniji, dvojica u Urgentnom centru". Retrieved 23 Feb 2015.
  40. ↑ Filip Zdraveski. "Preview: Macedonian First League – Round 9". Retrieved 2011-09-30.
  41. ↑ Emil Gasevski. "Skendija lift Macedonian Super Cup". Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  42. ↑ "KF Shkëndija (squad)". UEFA. 29 June 2017.
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