FC Ballkani

Football Club Ballkani (Albanian: Klubi Futbollistik Ballkani), commonly known as Ballkani, is a professional football club based in Suharekë, Kosovo. The club play in the Football Superleague of Kosovo, which is the top tier of football in the country.

Ballkani
Full nameFootball Club Ballkani
Nickname(s)Xhebrailat (The Gabriels)
Founded1947 (1947) as Rinia
GroundSuva Reka City Stadium
Capacity1,500
ChairmanArsim Kabashi
ManagerIlir Daja
LeagueFootball Superleague of Kosovo
2020–21Football Superleague of Kosovo, 3rd of 10
WebsiteClub website

History

The club was established in 1947 under the name Rinia by some athletes whose purpose was to participate in various competitions and tournaments that were organized at that time. In 1952, the club was registered and started competing in official championships. In 1965, it changed the name from KF Rinia to KF Ballkani after Suva Reka Chemical and Rubber Industry took the ownership of the club.

The club progressively climbed the Yugoslav league system reaching the Kosovo Provincial League in the season 1973–74. They were relegated, but returned in 1977 and remained in the league until the 1990s. Ballkani was one of the first clubs in Kosovo to leave the league system managed by the Football Association of Yugoslavia, and played instead in the not officially recognized parallel First League of Kosovo until 2000.

In the league organized by the Football Federation of Kosovo, Ballkani played its first match against Liria at Studençan. In the youth levels of Balkani, many prominent players from Suva Reka started their careers, such as Ali Elshani, Arsim Llapatinca, Avni Bytyçi, Bekim Suka, Dervish Shala, Esheref Berisha, Fillim Guraziu, Gafurr Kabashi, Hajrush Berisha, Hevzi Shalaj, Isuf Asllanaj, Isuf Kolgeci, Lulzim Kolgeci, Musli Bylykbashi, Naser Berisha, Nexhat Elshani, Osman Ramadani, Rexhep Kuçi, Salih Hoxha, Urim Bylykbashi, Visar Berisha and many others who made a valuable contribution to the affirmation of football as well as other human values and some still give their contribution to football pitches as managers and in various sports posts.[1]

Stadium

The club has played its home games at the Suva Reka City Stadium (Albanian: Stadiumi i Qytetit të Suharekës) is a multi-purpose stadium in Suva Reka, Kosovo. The stadium has a capacity of 1,500 people all-seater.

Players

Current squad
As of 1 February 2022

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF  KVX Armend Thaqi
3 DF  KVX Arbër Potoku (captain)
4 DF  KVX Astrit Thaqi
5 DF  KVX Lumbardh Dellova
6 MF  KVX Lindon Emërllahu
7 MF  KVX Blendi Baftiu (vice-captain)
8 MF  KVX Kushtrim Gashi (3rd captain)
9 FW  KVX Albion Rrahmani
10 MF  ALB Nazmi Gripshi
11 MF  KVX Meriton Korenica
13 FW  NED Dilivio Hoffman
14 DF  KVX Egzon Sinani
17 FW  KVX Ermal Krasniqi
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 DF  ALB Rustem Hoxha
20 MF  MNE Edvin Kuč
23 DF  KVX Ramiz Bytyqi
25 MF  KVX Donat Bekteshi
30 MF  KVX Argjend Malaj
32 DF  KVX Bajram Jashanica
45 FW  NGA Theophilus Solomon
61 MF  ALB Arens Mateli
77 GK  ALB Stivi Frashëri
92 GK  MNE Damir Ljuljanović
98 MF  KVX Malsor Ajeti
99 FW  KVX Mevlan Zeka

Other players under contract

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  KVX Endrit Asllanaj
— FW  KVX Edi Maksutaj

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
80 FW  KVX Albin Berisha (at Malisheva until 30 June 2022)
— MF  KVX Albin Kapra (at Drenica until 30 June 2022)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW  KVX Erduan Ibrahimi (at Ramiz Sadiku until 30 June 2022)

Personnel
As of 19 January 2021[2]
Current technical staff
Position Name
Head coach Ilir Daja
Assistant coach(es) Artim Položani
Edon Gashi
Conditional coach Alban Shala
Goalkeeping coach Labinot Qosa
Scoutings Ismet Maksutaj
Astrit Bekteshi
Physiotherapist Kastriot Llugagjiu
Physiotherapist Krenar Zenelaj
Doctor Nuredin Morinali
Secretary Arben Osmani
Board members
Office Name
President Arsim Kabashi
General director Idriz Hajrizi
Sports Director Avni Bytyçi
Security director Blerim Kuqi
Coordinator of football school Driton Mamaj
Information and media officer Idriz Hajrizi
Marketing officer Jetullah Kuqi

Historical list of coaches
  • Bekim Shotani (Feb 2018 - 2 Sep 2018)[3]
  • Sami Sermaxhaj (6 Sep 2018 - 14 Apr 2019)[4]
  • Gani Sejdiu (16 Apr 2019 - Jun 2019)[5]
  • Ismet Munishi (8 Jun 2019 - December 2020)[6]

References
  1. "F.C. Ballkani (historia)" [F.C. Ballkani (history)] (in Albanian). KF Ballkani.
  2. "F.C. Ballkani (kryesia e klubit)" [F.C. Ballkani (the club headship)] (in Albanian). KF Ballkani.
  3. Vjen dorëheqja e parë në Superligën e Kosovës, Bekim Shotani largohet nga Ballkani - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  4. Zyrtare: Ballkani dhe Sermaxhaj shkëpusin marrëveshjen - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  5. Zyrtare: Gani Sejdiu prezantohet te Ballkani - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  6. Ismet Munishi bëhet trajner i Ballkanit - Telegrafi (in Albanian)


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