Football Superleague of Kosovo

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

Founded	1945; 78 years ago (1945) as Kosovo Province League 1991; 32 years ago (1991) as Independent League of Kosovo
First season	1945 as Kosovo Province League 1991–92 as Independent League of Kosovo
Country	Kosovo
Confederation	UEFA
Number of teams	10
Level on pyramid	1
Relegation to	First Football League of Kosovo
Domestic cup(s)	Kosovar Cup Kosovar Supercup
International cup(s)	UEFA Champions League UEFA Europa Conference League
Current champions	Ballkani (1st title) (2021–22)
Most championships	Prishtina (11 titles)
Most appearances	Artan Latifi (493)
TV partners	List of broadcasters
Website	ffk-kosova.com/rez/
Current: 2022–23 Football Superleague of Kosovo

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

History

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

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

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

Kosovo Province League^[a] Season Club Location 1945 Jedinstvo Pristina 1946 1947 Trepça Mitrovica 1947–48 Proleteri Pristina 1948–49 Trepça Mitrovica 1950 1951 Kosova Pristina 1952 Trepça Mitrovica 1953 Not played due to change of league system 1953–54 Prishtina Pristina 1954–55 Trepça Mitrovica 1955–56 Rudari Stari Trg 1956–57 Rudniku Hajvalia 1957–58 Rudari Stari Trg 1958–59 Prishtina Pristina 1959–60 Rudari Stari Trg 1960–61 Prishtina Pristina 1961–62 Budućnost Peja 1962–63 Drita Gjilan 1963–64 Slloga Lipljan 1964–65 1965–66 Budućnost Peja 1966–67 Obilić Obilić 1967–68 Vëllaznimi Gjakova 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 Obilić Obilić 1972–73 Fushë Kosova Kosovo Polje 1973–74 Vëllaznimi Gjakova 1974–75 Liria Prizren 1975–76 RHMK Obilić Obilić 1976–77 Prishtina Pristina 1977–78 Budućnost Peja 1978–79 Prishtina Pristina 1979–80 Vëllaznimi Gjakova 1980–81 Liria Prizren 1981–82 Vëllaznimi Gjakova 1982–83 KNI Ramiz Sadiku Pristina 1983–84 Liria Prizren 1984–85 Crvena Zvezda Gjilan 1985–86 Vëllaznimi Gjakova 1986–87 Liria Prizren 1987–88 Crvena Zvezda Gjilan 1988–89 Budućnost Peja 1989–90 Vëllaznimi Gjakova 1990–91 Fushë Kosova Kosovo Polje

Independent League of Kosovo^[b] Season Club Location 1991–92 Prishtina Prishtina 1992–93 Trepça Mitrovica 1993–94 Dukagjini Klina 1994–95 Liria Prizren 1995–96 Prishtina Prishtina 1996–97 1997–98 Competition not held due to Kosovo War 1998–99 Establishment as top-league after UNMIK take-over of Kosovo 1999–2000 Prishtina Prishtina 2000–01 2001–02 Besiana Podujevo 2002–03 Drita Gjilan 2003–04 Prishtina Prishtina 2004–05 Besa Peja 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 Prishtina Prishtina 2008–09 2009–10 Trepça Mitrovica 2010–11 Hysi Podujevo 2011–12 Prishtina Prishtina 2012–13 2013–14 Vushtrria Vučitrn 2014–15 Feronikeli Drenas 2015–16 After membership in UEFA and FIFA 2016–17 Trepça'89 Mitrovica 2017–18 Drita Gjilan 2018–19 Feronikeli Drenas 2019–20 Drita Gjilan 2020–21 Prishtina Prishtina 2021–22 Ballkani Suva Reka

Clubs (2022–23)

Ten teаms will compete in the leаgue – the top eight teаms from the previous season and the two teams promoted from the First Football League of Kosovo. The promoted teаms are Trepça '89 and Ferizaj. They will replаce Ulpiana and Feronikeli.

Stаdiums and locаtions

 

 

Ballkani

 

Drenica

 

Dukagjini

 

Ferizaj

 

Llapi

 

Malisheva

 

Prishtina

 

Trepça '89

 

Gjilan

 

Gjilan clubs:

 

Gjilani
Drita

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Locations of the 2022–23 Football Superleague of Kosovo teams

Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.

Club	Town	Stadium and capacity^[7]		UEFA license^[8]
Ballkani	Suva Reka	Suva Reka City Stadium	1,500
Drenica	Skenderaj	Bajram Aliu Stadium	3,000
Drita	Gjilan	Gjilan City Stadium^[c]	15,000
Dukagjini	Klina	18 June Stadium	3,000
Ferizaj	Ferizaj	Ferizaj Synthetic Grass Stadium	1,500
Gjilani	Gjilan	Gjilan City Stadium^[c]	15,000
Llapi	Podujevo	Zahir Pajaziti Stadium	10,000
Malisheva	Mališevo	Liman Gegaj Stadium	2,000
Prishtina	Pristina	Fadil Vokrri Stadium	13,000
Trepça '89	Mitrovica	Riza Lushta Stadium	12,000

Personnel and kits

Team	Manager	Captain	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor^1
Ballkani	Ilir Daja	Arbër Potoku	Uhlsport	Cima Construction
Drenica	Bekim Shotani	Shkëlzen Lushtaku	Givova	R&Rukolli
Drita	Afrim Shahini	Ardian Limani	Macron	Rinora4
Dukagjini	Armend Dallku	Altin Merlaku	Macron
Ferizaj	Andrej Panadić	Florim Berisha	MS SPORTS	TERMOLULI
Gjilani	Zekirija Ramadani	Albert Dabiqaj	Jako	Tali SH.P.K
Llapi	Tahir Batatina	Benjamin Emini	MS SPORTS	Berisha Group
Malisheva	Sami Sermaxhaj	Dren Kryeziu	Givova	Patroni
Prishtina	Ismet Munishi	Gledi Mici	Phoenix Sport	Rio Mare
Trepça '89	Shpëtim Idrizi	Ardian Muja	SHAFF	JYSK Kosova	KFC Kosova

1. On the front of shirt.

Seasons in Football Superleague of Kosovo

There are 34 teams that have taken part in the Football Super league of Kosovo since 1999. Prishtina is the only team that has played in every season since 1999. As of 2022/23 season.

24 seasons: Prishtina 23 seasons: Drenica 22 seasons: Trepça '89 21 seasons: Besa 20 seasons: Drita 18 seasons: Gjilani 16 seasons: Ferizaj 15 seasons: Vëllaznimi, Liria, Flamurtari 14 seasons: Vushtrria 12 seasons: Llapi 10 seasons: Trepça, Feronikeli 9 seasons: Besiana, KEK 8 seasons: Hysi, Kosova Prishtinë

7 seasons: Ballkani 5 seasons: Hajvalia 4 seasons: Dukagjini 3 seasons: 2 Korriku, Istogu 2 seasons: Fushë Kosova, Shqiponja, Beselidhja, Malisheva 1 seasons: Lepenci, Ulpiana, Vllaznia Pozheran, KF Uniteti, Kika, KF Getoari, Vëllazëria, Rahoveci

Titles by club

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
Dukagjini	1	1993–94
Liria		1994–95
Besiana		2001–02
Hysi		2010–11
Vushtrria		2013–14
Trepça'89		2016–17
Ballkani		2021–22

UEFA rankings

Country coefficient

Main article: UEFA coefficient § Current ranking

As of 28 August 2022^[10][11]

Ranking			Member association (L: League, C: Cup)	Coefficient						Teams^[d]	Places in 2024–25 season
2023	2022	Mvmt		2018–19	2019–20	2020–21	2021–22	2022–23	Total		UCL	UEL	UECL	Total
31	31	—	Slovenia (L, C)	3.125	2.000	2.250	3.000	2.125	12.500	4	To be announced
32	33	+1	Moldova (L, C)	1.125	0.750	1.375	5.250	2.250	10.750
33	39	+6	Kosovo (L, C)	2.500	1.500	1.833	2.333	2.125	10.291
34	38	+4	Latvia (L, C)	1.625	2.250	1.375	2.625	2.250	10.125
35	36	+1	Finland (L, C)	0.875	1.625	1.375	3.750	2.375	10.000

Club coefficient

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	—^[e]	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^[f]	Trepça '89		0.500	DNQ					0.500	2.058

Kosovo football clubs in European competitions

Main article: Kosovo football clubs in European competitions

Active

UEFA Champions League

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

UEFA Europa League

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	4–5
	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

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	KÍ	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

Defunct

Mitropa Cup

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

Notes

1. 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. The two teams, Drita and Gjilan, which use this stadium together with their fans, 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]
4. The number of teams from the association that can qualify in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League.
5. Kosovo was not a UEFA member until 3 May 2016.^[14][15]
6. In the last UEFA 5-year Club Ranking, it was in the 400th place.^[16]

References

1. . 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.
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.
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.
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.
6. "Kosovo - List of Champions". RSSSF.
7. "2022/23 Kosovo Superliga (venues)". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
8. "Këto janë klubet e licencuara për garat evropiane" [These are clubs licensed for European competitions] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 25 May 2022.
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 2023". kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
11. "Member associations – UEFA rankings – Country coefficients". UEFA. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
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

• Official website (in Albanian and English)
• Football Superleague of Kosovo summary - Soccerway