Football Superleague of Kosovo

Summary

The Football Superleague of Kosovo (Albanian: Superliga e Futbollit të Kosovës), also known as the ALBI MALL Superleague of Kosovo (Albanian: ALBI MALL Superliga e Kosovës) for sponsorship reasons with Albi Mall, is the top level of the Kosovar football league system. The Superleague is organized by the Football Federation of Kosovo and the division currently has a 10-team format. The clubs play each other four times during the season for a 36-match schedule. At the end of the season, the bottom two teams in the division are relegated to the second tier, First Football League of Kosovo.

Football Superleague of Kosovo
Organising bodyFFK Competitions Commission
Founded1945; 79 years ago (1945)
as Kosovo Province League
1991; 33 years ago (1991)
as Independent League of Kosovo
First season1945 as Kosovo Province League
1991–92 as Independent League of Kosovo
Country Kosovo
ConfederationUEFA
Number of teams10
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toFirst Football League of Kosovo
Domestic cup(s)Kosovar Cup
Kosovar Supercup
International cup(s)UEFA Champions League
UEFA Europa League
UEFA Europa Conference League
Current championsBallkani (2nd title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsPrishtina (11 titles)
Most appearancesArtan Latifi (493)
TV partnersList of broadcasters
Websiteffk-kosova.com/rez/
Current: 2023–24 Football Superleague of Kosovo

The Superleague ran outside FIFA and UEFA until Kosovo was admitted to both organizations, on 3 May 2016.[1]

History edit

Prior to World War II, within Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Kosovan clubs competed in the provincial leagues of the Belgrade Football Subassociation. During World War II, between 1941 and 1944, when most of the region became part of the Albanian Kingdom, numerous Kosovan clubs played in the Albanian league system. In 1945, Kosovo was reincorporated to Serbia, and subsequently, into the SFR Yugoslavia. The league has its origins in 1945 when it became one of the subdivisions of the 5th level in the Yugoslav football league system. It gathered the best clubs from the SAP Kosovo except for those clubs competing in higher levels. In 1991, an unrecognised parallel league gathering ethnic Albanian pro-independence clubs was set, and was run till 1999. In the meantime, the best clubs competed in the leagues of FR Yugoslavia. In 1999, after the Kosovo War, a separate Kosovar league system was formed. It included most clubs from Kosovo except those from Serbian-dominated North Kosovo which remained in the Serbian football league system. Since 2000, the competition has been running continuously, and by 2017, after Kosovo gained membership in FIFA and UEFA, began acting as the national league of Kosovo, providing clubs for international tournaments.

Names edit

Name Period Notes
Albanian English
Liga e Provincës së Kosovës Kosovo Province League 1945–1991 Part of the Yugoslav football league system.[a]
Liga e Pavarur e Kosovës Independent League of Kosovo 1991–1999 Unrecognised competition parallel to Serbian league system.
Superliga e Futbollit të Kosovës Football Superleague of Kosovo 1999–present The official name, even though from 2008 for
sponsorship reasons the name changes.
Raiffeisen Superliga e Kosovës Raiffeisen Superleague of Kosovo 2008–2016 Sponsored by Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo, a subsidiary
of the Raiffeisen Bank International.
Vala Superliga e Kosovës Vala Superleague of Kosovo 2016–2018 Sponsored by Kosovo Telecom.[2]
IPKO Superliga e Kosovës IPKO Superleague of Kosovo 2018–2020 Sponsored by IPKO.[3]
BKT Superliga e Kosovës BKT Superleague of Kosovo 2021–2022 Sponsored by Banka Kombëtare Tregtare.[4]
ALBI MALL Superliga e Kosovës ALBI MALL Superleague of Kosovo 2022–present Sponsored by Albi Mall, a subsidiary of the Albi Commerce.[5]

Previous winners edit

This is a list of winners of Football Superleague of Kosovo since 1945.[6]

Clubs (2023–24) edit

The leаgue consisted of ten teams – the top seven teаms from the previous season and three teams promoted from the 2022–23 Kosovo First League. Ballkani entered the season as the defending champions.

The two directly promoted teаms were Feronikeli and Fushë Kosova, winners of the 2022–23 Kosovo First League groups A and B, respectively. They replaced the 2022–23 Kosovo Superleague bottom two teams, Drenica and Trepça '89.[7] The First League Group A runners-up, Liria Prizren, won the Kosovo Superleague play-off to also earn promotion, defeating eighth-placed Superleague team Ferizaj to take their place in the league.

Stаdiums and locаtions edit

class=notpageimage|
Locations of the 2023–24 Football Superleague of Kosovo teams
Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Club Town Stadium and capacity UEFA
license[8]
Ballkani Suharekë Suva Reka City Stadium 1,500  
Drita Gjilan Gjilan City Stadium[c] 15,000  
Dukagjini Klinë 18 June Stadium 3,000  
Feronikeli Drenas Rexhep Rexhepi Stadium 2,000  
Fushë Kosova Fushë Kosovë Ekrem Grajqevci Stadium 5,000  
Gjilani Gjilan Gjilan City Stadium[c] 15,000  
Liria Prizren Prizren Përparim Thaçi Stadium 15,000  
Llapi Podujevë Zahir Pajaziti Stadium 10,000  
Malisheva Malishevë Liman Gegaj Stadium 2,000  
Prishtina Prishtinë Fadil Vokrri Stadium 13,000  
Notes
  1. ^ a b It was one of the leagues forming the 4th level of the Yugoslav football league system. The champion would gain promotion to Yugoslav Inter-Republic League East, one of Yugoslav 3rd tiers.
  2. ^ Unrecognised competition parallel to Serbian league system.
  3. ^ a b Drita and Gjilan use this stadium together and have named the stadium with different names. Drita and their fans named the stadium as Selami Osmani-Bezi Stadium, while Gjilan and their fans named the stadium as Agim Ramadani Stadium, but officially the stadium is named Gjilan City Stadium.[9]

Personnel and kits edit

Club Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor[a]
Ballkani   Ilir Daja   Edvin Kuč   Uhlsport   Cima Construction
Drita   Zekirija Ramadani   Rron Broja   Macron   AirTiketa   ALBTECH
Dukagjini   Armend Dallku   Altin Merlaku   Jako   Chio Kosova
Feronikeli   Shefki Kuqi   Lapidar Lladrovci   Jako none
Fushë Kosova   Shpëtim Bajrami   Nasuf Berisha   14fourteen   Jona Med
Gjilani   Gentian Mezani   Edison Kqiku   Jako   ALBA Petrol   VALI RANCH
Liria Prizren   Ali Güneş   Valon Bytyqi   MS SPORTS   ABI Prizren
Llapi   Tahir Batatina   Benjamin Emini   Sporttex   N.N.SH "Batatina"
Malisheva   Qëndrim Kida   Dreni Kryeziu   Givova   ISP Broadcast   Patroni
Prishtina   Ndubuisi Egbo   Mërgim Pefqeli   Phoenix Sport   IPKO   NLB Banka Prishtina
Notes
  1. ^ On the front of shirt

Seasons in Football Superleague of Kosovo edit

There are 35 teams that have taken part in the Football Superleague of Kosovo since 1999. Prishtina is the only team that has played in every season since 1999. As of 2023/24 season; teams in bold are part of current season.

Titles by club edit

Number of titles since Independent League of Kosovo became the first tier of Kosovar league system.

Club Wins Winning Years
Prishtina    11 1991–92, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2020–21
Besa 3 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07
Feronikeli 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018–19
Drita 2002–03, 2017–18, 2019–20
Trepça 2 1992–93, 2009–10
Ballkani 2021–22, 2022–23
Dukagjini 1 1993–94
Liria 1994–95
Besiana 2001–02
Hysi 2010–11
Vushtrria 2013–14
Trepça '89 2016–17

UEFA rankings edit

Country coefficient edit

As of 19 July 2023[10][11]
Ranking Member association
(L: League, C: Cup)
Coefficient Teams[a] Places in 2025–26 season
2024 2023 Mvmt 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 Total UCL[b] UEL UECL Total
34 35   +1   Latvia (L, C) 2.250 1.375 2.625 2.750 0.500 9.500 4 1 0 3 4
35 34   +1   Liechtenstein (C) 2.500 0.500 0.000 6.500 0.000 9.500 1 0 0 1 1
36 33   +3   Kosovo (L, C) 1.500 1.833 2.333 2.875 0.625 9.166 4 1 0 3 4
37 39   +2   Armenia (L, C) 2.750 1.375 1.875 2.375 0.750 9.125
38 30   +8   Kazakhstan (L, C) 3.375 1.000 2.875 1.125 0.625 9.000

Club coefficient edit

As of 28 August 2022[12][13]
Ranking Club Coefficient
Nat'l UEFA
2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 Total Country Part
1 192 Drita [c] DNQ 1.500 DNQ 2.000 1.500 1.500 6.500 2.058
2 298 Prishtina 0.250 1.000 0.500 0.500 2.000 DNQ 4.000 2.058
3 353 Ballkani DNQ 2.500 2.500 2.058
4 370 Llapi DNQ 1.000 1.000 2.000 2.058
5 371 Gjilani DNQ 1.000 DNQ 1.000 2.000 2.058
6 372 Feronikeli DNQ 1.500 DNQ 1.500 2.058
7 NR[d] Trepça '89 0.500 DNQ 0.500 2.058

Kosovo football clubs in European competitions edit

Active edit

UEFA Champions League edit

Season Team Round Opponent Home Away Agg.
2017–18 Trepça '89 1Q   Víkingur Gøta 1–4 1–2 2–6
2018–19 Drita PR   FC Santa Coloma 2–0 (a.e.t.)
  Lincoln Red Imps 4–1 (a.e.t.)
1Q   Malmö 0–3 0–2 0–5
2019–20 Feronikeli PR   Lincoln Red Imps 1–0
  FC Santa Coloma 2–1
1Q   The New Saints 0–1 2–2 2–3
2020–21 Drita PR   Inter d'Escaldes 2–1
  Linfield 0–3 (awarded)
2021–22 Prishtina PR   Folgore 2–0
  Inter d'Escaldes 2–0
1Q   Ferencváros 1–3 0–3 1–6
2022–23 Ballkani 1Q   Žalgiris 1–1 0–1 (a.e.t.) 1–2
2023–24 1Q   Ludogorets Razgrad 2–0 0–4 2–4

UEFA Europa League edit

Season Team Round Opponent Home Away Agg.
2017–18 Prishtina 1Q   Norrköping 0–1 0–5 0–6
2018–19 PR   Europa 5–0 1–1 6–1
1Q   Fola Esch 0–0 (4–5 p) 0–0 0–0 (4–5 p)
Drita 2Q   F91 Dudelange 1–1 1–2 2–3
2019–20 Prishtina PR   St Joseph's 1–1 0–2 1–3
Feronikeli 2Q   Slovan Bratislava 0−2 1−2 1−4
2020–21 Prishtina PR   Lincoln Red Imps 0–3 (awarded)
Gjilani   Tre Penne 3–1
1Q   APOEL 0–2 (a.e.t.)
Drita 2Q   Sileks 2–0
3Q   Legia Warsaw 0–2

UEFA Europa Conference League edit

Season Team Round Opponent Home Away Agg.
2021–22 Llapi 1Q   Shkupi 1–1 0–2 1–3
Drita   Dečić 2–1 1–0 3–1
2Q   Feyenoord 0–0 2–3 2–3
Prishtina   Connah's Quay Nomads 4–1 2–4 6–5
3Q   Bodø/Glimt 2–1 0–2 2–3
2022–23 Gjilani 1Q   Liepāja 1–0 1–3 2–3
Llapi   Budućnost Podgorica 2–2 0–2 2–4
Drita   Inter Turku 3–0 0–1 3–1
2Q   Antwerp 0–2 0–0 0–2
Ballkani   La Fiorita 6–0 4–0 10–0
3Q   3–2 1–2 (a.e.t.) 4–4 (4–3 p)
PO   Shkupi 1–0 2–1 3–1
GS   Slavia Prague 0–1 2–3 4th
  CFR Cluj 1–1 0–1
  Sivasspor 1–2 4–3
2023–24 Gjilani 1Q   Progrès Niederkorn 0–2 2–2 2-4
Dukagjini   Europa 2–1 3–2 5–3
2Q   Rijeka 0–1 1–6 1–7
Drita   Viktoria Plzeň 1–2 0–0 1–2
Ballkani   Larne 3–0 4–1 7–1
3Q   Lincoln Red Imps 2–0 3–1 5–1
PO   BATE Borisov 4–1 0–1 4–2
GS   Dinamo Zagreb 2–0 0–3 4th
  Viktoria Plzeň 0–1 0–1
  Astana 1–2 0–0

Defunct edit

Mitropa Cup edit

Season Team Round Opponent Home Away Agg.
1983–84 Prishtina RR   Eisenstadt 3–3 2–4 Runners-up[17]
  Vasas 4–2 1–1
  Teplice 2–0 1–1

Notes and references edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ The number of teams from the association that can qualify in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League.
  2. ^ Beginning in the 2024–25 season, 1 additional team from each of the 2 associations with the highest 1-year association coefficient will be awarded a berth in the Champions League group stage.
  3. ^ Kosovo was not a UEFA member until 3 May 2016.[14][15]
  4. ^ In the last UEFA 5-year Club Ranking, it was in the 400th place.[16]

References edit

  1. ^ "Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA". UEFA. 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Vala sponzoron Superligën e Kosovës" [Vala sponsors the Kosovo Super League] (in Albanian). Bota Sot. 18 August 2016. Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  3. ^ "IPKO, sponsor gjeneral i Kombëtares së Kosovës në Futboll dhe i Super Ligës së Kosovës në Futboll" [IPKO, general sponsor of the Kosovo national football team and the Kosovo Superleague in football] (in Albanian). IPKO. 9 August 2018. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Banka Kombëtare Tregtare sponsor gjeneral i Superligës së Kosovës në futboll" [Banka Kombëtare Tregtare general sponsor of the Kosovo Superleague in football] (in Albanian). Football Superleague of Kosovo. 30 August 2021. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  5. ^ "ALBI MALL sponsor gjeneral i Superligës së Kosovës në futboll" [ALBI MALL general sponsor of the Kosovo Superleague in football] (in Albanian). Football Superleague of Kosovo. 18 August 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Kosovo - List of Champions". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  7. ^ "Drenica bie nga Superliga për herë të parë në histori të klubit" [Drenica is relegated from the Superleague for the first time in the club's history] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 6 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Nëntë klube licencohen për garat evropiane, tri klube nuk e kalojnë procesin e licencimit" [Nine clubs are licensed for European competitions, three clubs do not pass the licensing process] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 19 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Çfarë emri duhet të ketë stadiumi i qytetit në Gjilan" [What should be the name of the city stadium in Gjilan]. RajoniPress (in Albanian). 31 January 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  10. ^ "UEFA Country Ranking 2024". kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Member associations – UEFA rankings – Country coefficients". UEFA. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  12. ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2023". kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Member associations - UEFA rankings - Club coefficients". UEFA. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA". UEFA. 3 May 2016.
  15. ^ "Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote". The Guardian. 3 May 2016.
  16. ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2022". kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  17. ^ "Mitropa Cup 1983/84". RSSSF. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

External links edit

  • Official website (in Albanian and English)
  • League summary – Soccerway