Brotherly derby
![]() Location of Albania (green) and Kosovo (orange) | |
Native name | Derbi vëllazëror |
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Other names | Brotherly (Albanian: Vëllazërorja) |
Sport | Football |
Location | Europe (UEFA) |
Teams | |
First meeting | |
Latest meeting | Albania 2–1 Kosovo (Elbasan, 11 November 2020) |
Broadcasters | |
Stadiums |
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Statistics | |
Meetings total | Competitive matches: 0 Exhibition matches: 7 Total matches: 7 |
Most wins | Competitive matches: 0 Exhibition matches: Albania (5) Total matches: Albania (5) |
Most player appearances | 10 players (3) |
Top scorer | |
All-time series |
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Largest victory | Kosovo 3–0 Albania (Zürich, 28 May 2018) |
Smallest victory | Kosovo 0–1 Albania (Pristina, 7 September 2002) |
Largest goal scoring | Kosovo 2–3 Albania (Pristina, 17 February 2010) |
Brotherly derby (Albanian: Derbi vëllazëror), also known as the Brotherly (Albanian: Vëllazërorja) is the name given in football to any match between the men's national senior football teams of Albania and Kosovo.
History
[edit]First match
[edit]The first match between these two teams took place on 29 November 1942. It was a friendly match as part of the celebrations for the thirtieth anniversary of the independence of Albania. The match ended with a 2–0 win for Tirana,[a] and the starting line-ups of that match was:[2][3][1]
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Second match
[edit]50 years after the first match, the newly separated Football Federation of Kosovo from Football Association of Yugoslavia signed a cooperation protocol with the Albanian Football Association and in the framework of this protocol it was decided to play on 14 February a friendly match between these two national teams,[4] and this match ended with a 3–1 win for Albania.[5] The starting line-ups of that match was:
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2002–2015
[edit]During the period 2002–2015, these national teams played a total of three friendly matches (two wins for Albania and a draw), the first match during this period took place on 7 September 2002 and this match ended with a 0–1 win for Albania.[6] Eight years later, respectively on the second anniversary of Kosovo's independence, a match was played again between these two national teams and this match ended with a 2–3 win for Albania. The profits gathered from the match went to those affected by floods in Shkodër.[7]
These national teams played a friendly match on 13 November 2015. Albania played this friendly after almost a month after beating Armenia in UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying which provided Albania with qualification for the first time to a major competition, UEFA Euro 2016.[8] For Kosovo this match was among the few matches allowed by FIFA which would then be the last match before Kosovo's membership in UEFA,[9][10] and FIFA.[11] This match ended with a 2–2 draw,[12] which was called a brotherly draw,[13] where after this match officially all matches between the two national teams began to be called brotherly.
First official match
[edit]On 29 May 2018 the first official match was played between the two countries. This match took place on a neutral ground, in Letzigrund of Zürich. 18,700 fans mainly from the Albanian diaspora watched a 3–0 win for Kosovo, which was their first victory in history against Albania.[14]
'Unnecessary friendly'
[edit]On 28 October 2020, the Football Federation of Kosovo confirmed that a friendly match against Albania on 11 November would be played before the last two UEFA Nations League matches as a substitute for Albania's canceled match against Gibraltar.[15] However, this match was criticized as an "unnecessary friendly" by both managers Edoardo Reja[16] and Bernard Challandes,[17] as the match would be taking place at a crucial moment for both teams, with Albania needing to be prepared for their next two Nations League matches in order to secure the promotion from League B, while Kosovo was faced with a player shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a poor Nations League performance which threatened to relegate the team from League D. Regardless, the friendly went ahead and ended with a 2–1 win for Albania.[18]
Overall and matches
[edit]Overall
[edit]Competition | Round | Matches | Wins | Draws | Goals | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albania | Kosovo | Albania | Kosovo | ||||
FIFA World Cup | competition | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
qualification process | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
UEFA European Championship | competition | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
qualification process | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Friendly | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 9 | |
Total | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 9 |
Matches
[edit]29 November 1942 Friendly | [a]Tirana ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Tirana, Albanian Kingdom |
14:30 | Visha ![]() Lisi ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Shallvare Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Abdurrahman Toptani (Albania) |
14 February 1993 Friendly | Albania ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() | Tirana, Albania |
Abazi ![]() Seferi ![]() Fortuzi ![]() |
Report | Munishi ![]() |
Stadium: Selman Stërmasi Stadium Attendance: 14,000 Referee: Bujar Pregja (Albania) |
7 September 2002 Friendly | Kosovo ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Pristina, Kosovo |
Report Report (RSSSF) |
Abazi ![]() |
Stadium: Pristina City Stadium Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Bekim Pakuja (Macedonia) |
17 February 2010 Friendly | Kosovo ![]() | 2–3 | ![]() | Pristina, Kosovo |
Hasani ![]() Gashi ![]() |
Report (1st) Report (2nd) |
Bicaj ![]() Muzaka ![]() Balaj ![]() |
Stadium: Pristina City Stadium Attendance: 10,000 |
13 November 2015 Friendly | Kosovo ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() | Pristina, Kosovo |
14:00 (UTC+1) | Celina ![]() Rashani ![]() |
Report | Manaj ![]() Rrahmani ![]() |
Stadium: Pristina City Stadium Attendance: 38,000 (record) Referee: Lorenc Jemini (Albania) |
29 May 2018 Friendly | Kosovo ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() | Zürich, Switzerland |
20:00 (UTC+1) | Zeneli ![]() Zhegrova ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Letzigrund Attendance: 18,700 Referee: Alain Bieri (Switzerland) |
11 November 2020 Friendly | Albania ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Elbasan, Albania |
16:00 (CET; UTC+01:00) | Balaj ![]() Uzuni ![]() |
Report Report (UEFA) |
Muriqi ![]() |
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Attendance: 0 Referee: Hüseyin Göçek (Turkey) |
Records
[edit]- As of 11 November 2020
Below are two lists of the top 11 players with the most appearances and goals in Brotherly derby.
Players in bold are still active at international level.
Most appearances[edit]
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Top goalscorers[edit]
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Players who played for both senior national teams
[edit]During the period before 2016, these two national teams have exchanged players with each other, which influenced these two teams to be called reserve (B) teams of each other, Kosovo national team was called Albania B due to many players coming to play for Kosovo as they had no space to play for Albania, while Albania national team was called Kosovo B due to of the large number of players of Kosovo Albanian descent in its composition.[20] These exchanges began to be called acts of treason after Kosovo's membership in UEFA and FIFA, where some Albania players of Kosovo Albanian descent such as Amir Rrahmani, Herolind Shala and Milot Rashica who were part of the plans for the future of the Albania, moved to Kosovo.[21]
- Players in bold are still active at international level with respective national teams.
- Career years when the players were gathered but did not debut with respective national teams.
Albania then Kosovo
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Besnik_Hasi_2016_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-Besnik_Hasi_2016_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Player | Date of switch | Albania career | Kosovo career |
---|---|---|---|
Besnik Hasi | June 2007[22] | 2000–2007 | 2007 |
Ilir Berisha | 2 March 2014 | 2013 | 2014–2015 |
Loret Sadiku | 2 March 2014 | 2013 | 2014–2015 |
Samir Ujkani | 2 March 2014 | 2008–2013 | 2014– |
Debatik Curri | 19 May 2014 | 2006–2013 | 2014 |
Mërgim Brahimi | 7 October 2015 | 2012 | 2015 |
Alban Meha | 15 August 2016[23] | 2012–2015 | 2016 |
Milot Rashica | 15 August 2016[24] | 2016 | 2016– |
Besart Berisha | 16 August 2016[25] | 2006–2009 | 2017 |
Amir Rrahmani | 22 August 2016[26] | 2014–2015 | 2016– |
Herolind Shala | 30 August 2016[27] | 2014–2016 | 2016–2021 |
Fidan Aliti | 4 November 2016[28] | 2014 | 2017– |
Kastriot Dermaku | 31 August 2018[d] | Has not debuted | 2018 |
Gledi Mici | 31 May 2021[e] | Has not debuted | 2021 |
Kosovo then Albania
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Debatik_Curri.jpg)
Player | Date of switch | Kosovo career | Albania career |
---|---|---|---|
Debatik Curri | 19 May 2014 | 2014 | 2014 |
Amir Rrahmani | 6 June 2014 | 2014 | 2014–2015 |
Loret Sadiku | 13 September 2018[32] | 2014–2015 | 2018 |
Kastriot Dermaku | 2 October 2018[d] | 2018 | 2018–2021 |
Ardian Ismajli | 30 October 2018[33] | 2018 | 2018– |
Arbnor Muja | 17 August 2023[34] | 2023 | 2023– |
Mirlind Daku | 1 September 2023 | 2020–2021 | 2023– |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c The alternative name of the Albania national team that was used during this match.[1]
- ^ Dobrica Barbaroga was the Albanianized full name of Dobrica Barbarogić by the media of that time, which seems to be expression of peaceful coexistence with national minorities even in Kosovo at that time.[2]
- ^ The match was canceled due to lack of logistics as no suitable stadium was found to play the match.[19]
- ^ a b Kastriot Dermaku is the second player after Debatik Curri to briefly change the national team from Albania to Kosovo and from Kosovo to Albania.[29]
- ^ Gledi Mici is the first player born and raised in Albania to accept to play for Kosovo,[30] but could not make his debut as the club asked to release him from the squad in order to be as fresh as possible for the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League preliminary round matches.[31]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Mendrit Shehu (18 November 2019). "Kosova, kalvari sportiv e miqësorja e harruar me Jugosllavinë" [Kosovo, the sports ordeal and the forgotten friendly with Yugoslavia]. Gazetasi (in Albanian).
- ^ a b Besnik Dizdari (12 December 2007). "Besnik Dizdari: Kur në Tiranë lindte Përfaqësuesja e Kosovës...(II)" [Besnik Dizdari: When in Tirana the Kosovo national team was born...(II)]. Zemra Shqiptare (in Albanian).
- ^ Besnik Dizdari (15 September 2019). ""Armiqtë" e vërtetë dhe "miqtë" e rremë të Kosovës" [The real "enemies" and false "friends" of Kosovo] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport.
- ^ "Futbolli 1991–2011, 20 vjet mëvetësim" [Football 1991–2019, 20 years independence] (PDF) (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 2011. pp. Respectively on pages 64 and 65, contain information about cooperation protocol and the match.
- ^ "International Matches 1993 – Europe, January–March". RSSSF.
14/02/1993, Tiranë, Dinamo, 14000, Friendly International, ALBANIA–KOSOVA
- ^ "Kosova 0:1 Albania". RSSSF. 7 September 2002.
- ^ "Miqesore/Kosove - Shqipëri 2-3" [Friendly/Kosovo - Albania 2-3]. AlbaniaSoccer (in Albanian). 17 February 2010.
- ^ "Fiton Shqipëria, shkojmë në Francë" [Albania wins, we go to France] (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association. 11 October 2015.
- ^ "Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA". UEFA. 3 May 2016.
- ^ "Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote". The Guardian. 3 May 2016.
- ^ "Zyrtare: Kosova pranohet në FIFA, jemi të barabartë me të gjitha vendet e botës" [Official: Kosovo is admitted to FIFA, we are equal to all countries in the world] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 13 May 2016.
- ^ "Festë, emocion dhe spektakël futbolli" [Holiday, emotion and football spectacle] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 13 November 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Miqësorja vëllazërore në barazim 2-2, Prishtina e tëra në festë" [Brotherly friendly in 2-2 draw, Pristina wholly holiday]. TeleSport (in Albanian). 13 November 2015.
- ^ "Kosova e fiton me spektakël miqësoren kundër Shqipërisë" [Kosovo wins the friendly against Albania with spectacle] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 29 May 2018.
- ^ "Kosova, vëllazërore me Shqipërinë më 11 nëntor" [Kosovo, brotherly with Albania on 11 November] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Reja: S'e doja miqësoren me Kosovën, për Kumbullën kemi ende shpresë" [Reja: I did not like the friendly with Kosovo, we still have hope for Kumbulla]. Kanal10 (in Albanian). 10 November 2020.
- ^ "Miqësorja vëllazërore/Flet Shaland: Në këtë situatë ndeshja me Shqipërinë e panevojshme" [Brotherly friendly/Challandes speaks: In this situation, the match with Albania is unnecessary]. Syri.net (in Albanian). 10 November 2020.
- ^ "Shqipëria fiton 2–1 "vëllazëroren" me Kosovën" [Albania wins 2–1 "brotherly" with Kosovo] (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association. 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Anulohet vëllazërorja me Kosovën, Shqipëria luan miqësore me Kombëtaren që na bekoi në Europian" [The friendly match with Kosovo is cancelled, Albania plays a friendly with the national team that blessed us in the European] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 19 October 2022.
- ^ Besnik Dizdari (18 November 2015). "Kosova A – "Kosova B" 2–2 ose Kosova – Shqipëria 30–6!" [Kosovo A – "Kosovo B" 2–2 or Kosovo – Albania 30–6!] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport.
- ^ Andi Bushati. "Milot Rashica, një tradhtar i mërzitur" [Milot Rashica, an upset traitor]. Ekonomia Online (in Albanian). Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ "Rrëfimi i Besnik Hasit: Debutimi me Shqipërinë, Kosova, klubet e drejtuara dhe ëndrra për stolin kuqezi" [Besnik Hasi's story: Debut with Albania, Kosovo, run clubs and dream of red and black bench]. Insajderi (in Albanian). 15 August 2016.
Gjashtë muaj pasi lashë Kombëtaren e Shqipërisë, në atë kohë Kombëtarja e Kosovës nuk ishte ende e pranuar, u zhvillua një turne në Turqi dhe Kosova luajti me Arabinë Saudite. Nuk ishte ndeshje zyrtare dhe duhej të luhej në një fushë që nuk e dinte askush, sepse kishin frikë se reagonte Serbia në UEFA. Isha dhe unë në atë ndeshje, 'Duhet të kemi kapiten për këtë ndeshje', më thanë. Fituam 0-1. Ishte eufori e madhe, sepse s'kishte njerëz. Vetëm ata që e organizuan ndeshjen dhe pjesëtarët e stafit të Federates së Kosovës. Ndjenjë shumë pozitive, sidomos për ata çuna, sepse e morën si arritje që luajtën për Kombëtaren dhe fituan
- ^ "Edhe Alban Meha po Kosovës" [Even Alban Meha said yes Kosovo]. TopSporti (in Albanian). 15 August 2016.
- ^ "Rashica zgjedh Kosovën" [Rashica chooses Kosovo]. TopSporti (in Albanian). 15 August 2016.
- ^ "Besart Berisha do t'i bashkohet Kombëtares së Kosovës" [Besart Berisha will join the Kosovo national team] (in Albanian). Radio Television of Kosovo. 16 August 2016. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017.
- ^ "Amir Rrahmani lë Shqipërinë, i bashkohet Kosovës" [Amir Rrahmani leaves Albania, joins Kosovo]. Albinfo (in Albanian). 22 August 2016.
- ^ "Edhe Herolind Shala vendos të luaj për Kosovën" [Herolind Shala also decides to play for Kosovo]. Albinfo (in Albanian). 22 August 2016.
- ^ "Ekskluzive: Futbollisti nga Lugina e Preshevës i bashkohet Përfaqësueses së Kosovës" [Exclusive: The footballer from the Presevo Valley joins Kosovo national team] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 4 November 2016.
- ^ "Largimi i "çuditshëm dhe tinëzar" i Kastriot Dërmakut nga Kosova" [Kastriot Dërmaku's "strange and insidious" departure from Kosovo] (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 3 October 2018.
- ^ "Ekskluzive: Kosova fton katër lojtarë të Prishtinës, spikat ftesa për Gledi Micin" [Exclusive: Kosovo invites four players from Prishtina, the invitation for Gledi Mici stands out] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Challandes liron nga grumbullimi i paraparë 4 futbollistët e Prishtinës" [Challandes releases from the planned gathering 4 footballers of Prishtina] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ "Loret Sadiku përfundimisht mund të luajë vetëm te Shqipëria, FIFA refuzon edhe Suedinë" [Loret Sadiku can finally play only with Albania, FIFA also rejects Sweden] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 13 September 2018.
- ^ "Ardian Ismajli lë Kosovën për Shqipërinë!" [Ardian Ismajli leaves Kosovo for Albania!] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. 30 October 2018.
- ^ "FSHF-ja konfirmon se Arbnor Muja do të ftohet në shtator nga Sylvinho" [The AFA confirms that Arbnor Muja will be invited in September by Sylvinho] (in Albanian). Koha Ditore. 17 August 2023.