KF Shkëndija
KF Shkëndija is a football club based in Tetovo, North Macedonia. Their home stadium is Ecolog Arena and they currently play in the Macedonian First League. In the 2010–11 season of the Macedonian First Football League, the club won its first major championship.
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Full name | Klubi Futbollistik Shkëndija | ||
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Nickname(s) | Kuq e Zi (The Red and Blacks) | ||
Founded | 27 August 1979 | ||
Ground | Ecolog Arena | ||
Capacity | 15,000 | ||
President | Visar Bexheti | ||
Manager | Ernest Gjoka | ||
League | Macedonian First League | ||
2019–20 | 3rd | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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History
SFRY Period
![](../I/Shkendija_original_team.jpg.webp)
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, the Municipal League, KF Shkëndija played their first match against FK Kosmos, winning 4–0.[3]
Shkëndija won the division in the 1979–1980 season, resulting in Shkëndija being promoted into the Third division.[4] 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 socialist government members disbanded the club, worried that the club would stoke ethnic tensions during a fragile period in SFRJ.[4]
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.[4] 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.[5] On 20 May 2012, Shkëndija handed FK Vardar its first loss of the season with a 1–0 victory.[6]
The Ecolog era
![](../I/StadiumTetovo.jpg.webp)
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.[7] Albanian international, Lorik Cana and Swiss international, Xherdan Shaqiri also joined the campaign with the supporters.[7] On 31 July 2013, Lazim Destani, father of Ecolog founder and chairman, Nazif Destani, announced Ecolog International will take charge of Shkëndija.[7][8] 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.[9][10]
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.[11] Shkendija earned a spot in the 2014–15 first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.
Supporters
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 Yugoslav 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. The ultras of Shkëndija are notorious for their hardline nationalist rhetoric and pride in their Albanian heritage.
Rivalry
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, the majority of the Tetovo police are stationed at Ecolog Arena. Shkendija supporters are banned from attending Vardar-Shkendija matches in Skopje, despite this ban Ballistet attended at Skopje two times.[12]
Players
Current squad
- As of 26 January 2021
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Personnel
Current technical staff
- As of 30 June 2020
Position | Name |
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Manager | Ernest Gjoka |
Assistant manager | Fatjon Tafaj |
Goalkeeping coach | Kushtrim Abdullai |
Fitness coach | Metin Dalip |
Scout | Mensur Jakupi |
Juniors coach | Berat Imeri |
Cadets coach | Bekim Osmani |
Coordinator | Festim Ademi |
Management
Position | Staff |
---|---|
Owner | Lazim Destani |
President | Visar Bexheti |
Finance Director | Faton Jahja |
Operations Director | Dritan Musliu |
Honours
Recent seasons
Season | League | Cup | European competitions | |||||||||
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Division | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | ||||
1992–93 | OFL Tetovo | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 1st ↑ | |||
1993–94 | 3. MFL North | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 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 | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 9th | |||
1998–99 | 2. MFL West | 30 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 72 | 45 | 42 | 7th | |||
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 |
2017–18 | 1. MFL | 36 | 28 | 4 | 3 | 101 | 27 | 91 | 1st | W | Europa League | PO |
2018–19 | 1. MFL | 36 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 80 | 29 | 79 | 1st | QF | Champions League Europa League |
QR3 PO |
2019–20 | 1. MFL | Abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic[14] | Champions League Europa League |
QR1 QR2 | ||||||||
Shkëndija in Europe
- Accu as of 27 August 2020
Overview
Competition | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win% |
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UEFA Champions League | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 15 | −7 | 30.00 |
UEFA Europa League | 27 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 32 | 33 | −1 | 37.04 |
Total | 37 | 13 | 7 | 17 | 40 | 48 | −8 | 35.14 |
Matches
Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate | |
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2011–12 | UEFA Champions League | 2QR | ![]() |
0–1 | 0–4 | 0–5 | ![]() |
2012–13 | UEFA Europa League | 1QR | ![]() |
0–0 | 1–2 | 1–2 | ![]() |
2014–15 | UEFA Europa League | 1QR | ![]() |
2–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 | ![]() |
2015–16 | UEFA Europa League | 1QR | ![]() |
1–1 | 0–0 | 1–1 (a) | ![]() |
2016–17 | UEFA Europa League | 1QR | ![]() |
2–0 | 2–1 | 4–1 | ![]() |
2QR | ![]() |
1–0 | 0–0 | 1–0 | ![]() | ||
3QR | ![]() |
2–0 | 0–1 | 2–1 | ![]() | ||
PO | ![]() |
0–4 | 1–2 | 1–6 | ![]() | ||
2017–18 | UEFA Europa League | 1QR | ![]() |
3–0 | 4–0 | 7–0 | ![]() |
2QR | ![]() |
3–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | ![]() | ||
3QR | ![]() |
3–0 | 1–2 | 4–2 | ![]() | ||
PO | ![]() |
0–1 | 0–6 | 0–7 | ![]() | ||
2018–19 | UEFA Champions League | 1QR | ![]() |
5–0 | 0−4 | 5–4 | ![]() |
2QR | ![]() |
1–0 | 0–0 | 1–0 | ![]() | ||
3QR | ![]() |
0−1 | 0−3 | 0–4 | ![]() | ||
UEFA Europa League | PO | ![]() |
0−2 | 1−3 | 1–5 | ![]() | |
2019–20 | UEFA Champions League | 1QR | ![]() |
1–2 | 1–0 | 2−2 (a) | ![]() |
UEFA Europa League | 2QR | ![]() |
1–2 | 1–1 | 2−3 | ![]() | |
2020–21 | UEFA Europa League | 1QR | ![]() |
N/A | 2–0 | N/A | ![]() |
2QR | ![]() |
N/A | 1–0 | N/A | ![]() | ||
3QR | ![]() |
1–3 | N/A | N/A | ![]() |
- Notes
- 1QR: First qualifying round
- 2QR: Second qualifying round
- 3QR: Third qualifying round
- PO: Play-off round
UEFA club coefficient ranking
Rank | Team | Points |
---|---|---|
131 | ![]() | 9.269 |
132 | ![]() | 9.269 |
133 | ![]() | 9.000 |
134 | ![]() | 9.000 |
135 | ![]() | 9.000 |
Top goalscorers in Europe
As of 29.09.2020, Source: kfshkendija.com
Rank | Name | Shkëndija Career | Goals |
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1 | Besart Ibraimi | 2015– | 16 |
2 | Ferhan Hasani | 2007–2012, 2015–2018 | 5 |
Stênio Júnior | 2014–2019 | ||
4 | Agim Ibraimi | 2005–2006, 2019–2020 | 4 |
5 | Marjan Radeski | 2015–2020 | 2 |
6 | Armend Alimi | 2014– | 1 |
Ivan Čeliković | 2017 | ||
Ardian Cuculi | 2006–2014, 2015–2018 | ||
Ljupcho Doriev | 2020– | ||
Izair Emini | 2007–2012, 2017–2019 | ||
Hristijan Kirovski | 2014–2015 | ||
Ivan Mitrov | 2014–2015 | ||
Valmir Nafiu | 2010–2011, 2018– | ||
Bojan Vručina | 2014–2016 | ||
Arbin Zejnullai | 2016– |
Historical list of coaches
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References
- D. Nikolić. "Predstavljamo Škendiju, prvog Partizanovog rivala". Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- "Škendija, šampion Makedonije". Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- "Official KF Shkendija Thread". Retrieved 5 July 2011.
- "Shkendija Tetovo wins the Macedonian First League". Retrieved 14 May 2011.
- "Macedonian First League – Round 32". Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- "Ecolog takes over Shkendija". Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- "Ecolog" shpëton Shkëndijën, tha po" (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- Shpëtim Duro to caretake Shkendija
- Shpëtim Duro, trajneri i Shkëndijës së Tetovës
- "Shpëtim Duro leaves Shkendija". macedonianfootball.com. macedonianfootball. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- Filip Zdraveski. "Preview: Macedonian First League – Round 9". Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- Emil Gasevski. "Skendija lift Macedonian Super Cup". Retrieved 25 July 2011.
- "Вонредна седница на Управен одбор на Фудбалска федерација на Македонија: Прекин на натпреварувачката сезона 2019/2020". Фудбалска Федерација на Македонија. 4 June 2020.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to KF Shkëndija. |
- Official website (in Albanian)
- Fan Website (in Albanian)
- KF Shkëndija on Facebook
- Club info at MacedonianFootball (in English)
- Supporters Website (in Albanian)
- Football Federation of Macedonia (in Macedonian)