Dritа
Full nameFootball Club Drita
(Albanian: Klubi Futbollistik Drita)
Nickname(s)Intelektualët (Intellectuals)
Short nameDFC or DRI
Founded1947 (1947)
GroundGjilan City Stadium
Capacity9,000
PresidentValon Murseli
ManagerAkis Vavalis
LeagueKosovo Superleague
2022–23Kosovo Superleague, 2nd of 10
WebsiteClub website

Football Club Drita (Albanian: Klubi Futbollistik Drita), commonly known as Drita, is a professional football club based in Gjilan, Kosovo. The club plays in the Football Superleague of Kosovo.

The club's home ground is the Gjilan City Stadium. It was built in 1947 when the club played within the Yugoslav league system. However, from 1990 until the end of the Kosovo War, the club split in two different clubs with one team staying as the official club, playing in the home stadium and league system.

History

In 1947, Drita was founded by the Gjilan citizens, the name Drita means 'light' in Albanian and the name was taken from other sports clubs from the city. In the beginning, conditions were difficult, even more so because the team rivaled the other team of the city, Crvena zvezda Gnjilane. Contrary to them, Drita founders and footballers were exclusively Albanians. This insistence in nationalistic differentiation meant that, in 1952 the team was abolished by the regime. Former footballers went to the already multi-ethnic team of Zvezda, but the team didn't get erased completely. They competed in the Kosovo Province League where they were declared champions in the 1962–63 season.[1]

Post-1990

In 1991. At the time of the dissolution of Yugoslavia. the football of Kosovo was in its zenith and consistently had 4-5 clubs in both federal leagues. But the deterioration of the political situation was also reflected in sports. In 1991, Albanian separatist complaining about the situation, formed the Football Federation of Kosovo with all its organs. Drita then joined the new league system in Kosovo, where they played in the fields of the mountains around the city of Gjilan.[2]

Selami Osmani era

After the 90s, Drita was taken into management by Selami Osmani - Bezi with whom for 15 years reached the tops of Kosovan football, thanks to the players that brought in Gjilan, he who for 15 years contributed to Drita. Under his management Drita managed to adorn the title of the Kosovo championship in 2002–03, win the cup in 2000–01 and be a runner-up in 1999–2000 and 2001–02. Drita also reached the semifinals in 1999–00, 2001–02 and 2002–03, breaking a Kosovo record that for four consecutive years did not descend below the third position and for four years at least until the semifinals of the Kosovar Cup.[3]

Valon Murseli and Flamur Bunjaku era

On 21 July 2016, Valon Murseli and Flamur Bunjaku took over the club, the two businessmen promised big things to the club, where in 2017–18 they relied on them, by winning the title for the second time in their history.[4]

Ardian Nuhiu era

In 2020 after the sacking of the previous coach, Ardian Nuhiu was appointed first team manager. He won the league in the season 2019-20 after he beat SCGj

Support

Intelektualët
Founded23 December 1998 (1998-12-23)
TypeUltras group
TeamAll clubs with name Drita from Gjilan
MottoNo one likes us, we don't care
LocationGjilan,  Kosovo
ArenaGjilan City Stadium
Colors   
AffiliationsBlue City Defenders, Blue Section Crew, Blue King Hooligans, Bojanina Blue Boys, Brigada 138, DH-B Hools, E7 Hools, Hienat, PM Mahalla, Q.Q Hools and GC Hools

Drita in the 1997–98 championship was great wherever in Kosovo and in many sporting games, the meetings started but it was difficult to name the fans. The Ballkani and Drita match was a tough game because Ballkani fought for the survival and Drita for champion, so the fans traveled to Suva Reka for the last time without a name after this game, before the game against biggest rival Gjilani, the board succumbed and after many debates the name Intelektualët (Intellectuals) was assigned because most of the players except they played were also writers, poets, politicians and so on.[5]

The Intellectuals are the biggest ultras group in Kosovo, with many transfers outside Gjilan. They also have the record of audience in football of Kosovo, the biggest was against Gjilani in 2011 with 13,000 fans and they traveled also in 2002 with 30,000 fans to the final of the Kosovar Cup in the Fadil Vokrri Stadium.[5]

Incidents

Also at Intelektualët (Intellectuals) there are groups of hooligans who do incidents especially during the derby towards Gjilani.[6]

But there are also other incidents with other groups, The incident with Plisat of Prishtina was where during the last game of the championship there was attack on the fans of Prishtina, the worst incident was the violation of the fans of Prishtina by the hooligans from Gjilan where 13 fans were injured.[7][8]

Club rivalries

The Kosovo Derby at Gjilan City Stadium on 30 September 2018

Gjilani

There is often a fierce rivalry between the two strongest teams in a national league and this is particularly the case in the Football Superleague of Kosovo, where the game between Drita and Gjilani is known as the Kosovo Derby. According to the tradition of the city of Gjilan, the party starts with fans organization, who try to give the maximum support for the respective clubs, there is also some surprise for the other opponent camp, to say that we were better and is appreciated more than what is presented to you with great curiosity about the whole city, what a presentation will be on the weekend from Skifterat (Falcons) and Intelektualët (Intellectuals).

Three days before the match the derby gives the atmosphere a night life, everywhere in the cafe bars is an atmosphere that occurs only during national holidays, where fans are seen by both the Skifterat (Falcons) and Intelektualët (Intellectuals) to live all that week under the fever of the much-anticipated derby.

One hour before the match, the two camps are organized in groups and always avoid eventual incidents between the two ultras groups. They divide the streets from where they will go to the stadium, which is good, because the Kosovo Police organised themselves in a way to avoid the breakdown of this holiday and the much anticipated confrontation in Gjilan.

For a brief few moments, everything apart from the dozens of flares that littered the pitch, that'd had disappeared from view. Gone were the two white minarets that usually overlook the stadium in eastern Kosovo. Gone too were the lines of riot police patrolling the front of the main stand along with the 10,000 strong crowd, all enveloped in a monstrous blue cloud of smoke. On the other side of the pitch, a similar scene was being played out, but the consuming cloud was red. The only evidence of a football match being played was the thunderous noise of drums and chants rising ethereally from the fog.[9]

Records and statistics

Drita in the 2017–18 season has not suffered any losses, so it has broken its record since 2002–03 season with 30 undefeated games.[10][11]

Accomplishment Record Ref
Players
Most matches Kosovo Artan Latifi with 241 match [12]
Most goals Kosovo Xhevdet Shabani with 63 goals
Team records
Biggest ever European victory 4–1 away against Gibraltar Lincoln Red Imps, 29 June 2018 [13]
Biggest ever European defeat 0–3 home against Sweden Malmö, 10 July 2018 [14]
0–3 w/o neutral against Northern Ireland Linfield, 2020
Longest unbeaten run at all competitions 31 games in 2017–18 season [10][11]
Longest unbeaten run at Football Superleague of Kosovo 29 games in 2017–18 season
30 games in Football Superleague of Kosovo between 2 seasons

Kit evolution

After the war, the financial condition of clubs did not allow them to look after their kits, it happened that within a season the club's shirts have changed. But since joining UEFA and FIFA, this problem has disappeared. During the presentation of Betim Haxhimusa, they also unveiled the new kits that would be worn in the 2018–19 season, while the traditional colors are interwoven in a design inspired by the famous sportswear brand Givova.[15] While in the UEFA Champions League match against Malmö in Sweden, Drita played with their third kits making the presentation in public for the first time.

Period

1999–2016
Home Away
No manufacturer
2016–2018
Home Away
Italy Givova
2018–
Home Away Third
Italy Givova (2018–2019), Italy Macron (2019–)

Stadium

The club has played its home games at the Gjilan City Stadium (Albanian: Stadiumi i Qytetit të Gjilanit) is a multi-purpose stadium in Gjilan, Kosovo. The stadium has a capacity of 10,000 people all seater. Since 2017, the stadium is under renovation as it does not meet any level required by UEFA and the goal is to get the stadium to become a fourth-tier UEFA stadium.[16]

Honours

FC Drita honours
Type Competition Titles Seasons/Years
Domestic Football Superleague of Kosovo 3 2002–03, 2017–18, 2019–20
Kosovar Supercup 1 2017–18
Kosovar Cup 1 2000–01
Kosovo Province League 1 1962–63

Players

Current squad

As of 3 August 2023

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Kosovo KOS Faton Maloku
2 DF Kosovo KOS Besnik Krasniqi
3 DF Kosovo KOS Yll Ibrahimi
4 MF Kosovo KOS Rron Broja
5 DF Kosovo KOS Hajdin Salihu
6 DF Kosovo KOS Leonat Vitija
8 MF Kosovo KOS Blendi Baftiu
9 FW Kosovo KOS Ardit Tahiri
10 MF Kosovo KOS Muharrem Jashari
11 MF Kosovo KOS Kastriot Selmani
13 GK Kosovo KOS Florjan Smakiqi
14 MF Kosovo KOS Albert Dabiqaj
16 MF Kosovo KOS Mitat Xhymshiti
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW Kosovo KOS Almir Ajzeraj
19 FW Albania ALB Blerim Krasniqi
20 DF Kosovo KOS Astrit Thaqi
22 GK Kosovo KOS Laurit Behluli
23 MF Kosovo KOS Erion Ramushi
26 DF Republic of the Congo CGO Raddy Ovouka
30 DF Ghana GHA Benjamin Agyare
47 MF Kosovo KOS Dienit Isufi
70 FW Kosovo KOS Albin Prapashtica
74 GK Kosovo KOS Eron Isufi
77 DF Bulgaria BUL Dilyan Georgiev
98 MF Kosovo KOS Meris Maliqi
99 FW Kosovo KOS Rilind Haziraj

Academy players with first-team appearances

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
24 FW Kosovo KOS Erblin Sokoli
35 FW Kosovo KOS Etnik Bislimi
No. Pos. Nation Player
89 DF Kosovo KOS Jasin Sahiti
90 MF Kosovo KOS Odi Mehmeti

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

Personnel

Current technical staff
Position Name
Head coach North Macedonia Zekirija Ramadani
Assistant coach North Macedonia Sadat Saini
Goalkeeping coach Kosovo Afrim Shahini
Physiotherapist Kosovo Adriat Keqmezi
Physiotherapist Kosovo Leutrim Kerqeli
Doctor Kosovo Bujar Fazliu
General manager Kosovo Jetmir Salihu
Board members
Office Name
President Kosovo Valon Murseli
President Kosovo Flamur Bunjaku
General director Kosovo Feti Murseli
Sporting director Kosovo Valon Zymeri

List of the managers

Below is a list of Drita managers from 1999, until the present day.[17]

  1. Kosovo Reshat Osmani (1999–2000)
  2. Kosovo Kemajl Halimi (1999–2000)
  3. Kosovo Bylbyl Sokoli (2000–01)
  4. Kosovo Kemajl Halimi (2001–02)
  5. Kosovo Fadil Muriqi (2001–02)
  6. Kosovo Hysni Maxhuni (2002 as caretaker)[18]
  7. Kosovo Ramadan Cimili (2002–03)[18]
  8. Kosovo Kemajl Halimi (2003 as caretaker)
  9. Kosovo Muharrem Sahiti (2003–04)
  10. Kosovo Reshat Osmani (2007 as caretaker)
  11. Kosovo Milaim Zuzaku (2007–08)
  12. Kosovo Refik Rexhepaj (2008 as caretaker)
  13. Kosovo Milaim Zuzaku (2008–09)
  14. Kosovo Bekim Isufi (2011–12)
  15. Kosovo Arbnor Morina (2012–13)[19]
  16. Kosovo Musa Selimi (2013)[20]
  17. Kosovo Arbnor Morina (2013)[21]
  18. Kosovo Bekim Isufi (2013–14)
  19. Kosovo Agron Selmani (2014)[22]
  20. Kosovo Afrim Shahini (2014–15)
  21. SerbiaKosovo Sadat Pajaziti (2015)[23]
  22. Kosovo Bekim Isufi (2015–16)
  23. Bosnia and Herzegovina Amir Alagić (2016)[24]
  24. Kosovo Ismet Munishi (2016)[25]
  25. Kosovo Milaim Zuzaku (2016–17)[26]
  26. Kosovo Bekim Isufi (2017–18)[27]
  27. Albania Shpëtim Duro (2018–19)[28]
  28. North Macedonia Albania Ardian Nuhiu (2019–2022) [29]
  29. Kosovo Arsim Thaqi (2022–2023)[30]
  30. Greece Akis Vavalis (2023-)[31]

|}


Drita in Europe

Drita competed in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the 2018–19 season, entering at the preliminary round. On 12 June 2018, in Nyon, the draw was held and Drita were drawn against the Andorran side FC Santa Coloma.[32][33] On 26 June 2018, Drita beat Santa Coloma at Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar and became the first Kosovar side to win a UEFA Champions League match.[34]

After being eliminated from Malmö, Drita continued to play in the second qualifying round of UEFA Europa League. On 17 July 2018, Drita learns the upcoming rival which was the champion of 2017–18 Luxembourg National Division, F91 Dudelange.[35][36]

Kosovo
Rexhepi
Kosovo
Gërbeshi
Kosovo
Limani (c)
Kosovo
B. Shabani
Kosovo
Krasniqi

By competition

As of match played 06 September 2023
Competition P W D L GF GA GD Win %
UEFA Champions League 6 3 0 3 8 9 −1 050.00
UEFA Europa League 4 1 1 2 4 5 −1 025.00
UEFA Europa Conference League 10 3 3 4 9 9 +0 030.00
Total 20 7 4 9 21 23 −2 035.00

Matches

Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Agg.
2018–19 UEFA Champions League PR Andorra FC Santa Coloma 2–0 (a.e.t.)
Gibraltar Lincoln Red Imps 4–1 (a.e.t.)
1Q Sweden Malmö 0–3 0–2 0–5
2018–19 UEFA Europa League 2Q Luxembourg F91 Dudelange 1–1 1–2 2–3
2020–21 UEFA Champions League PR Andorra Inter d'Escaldes 2–1
Northern Ireland Linfield 0–3 (awarded)
2020–21 UEFA Europa League 2Q North Macedonia Sileks 2–0
3Q Poland Legia Warsaw 0–2
2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League 1Q Montenegro Dečić 2–1 1–0 3–1
2Q Netherlands Feyenoord 0–0 2–3 2–3
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League 1Q Finland Inter Turku 3–0 0–1 3–1
2Q Belgium Antwerp 0–2 0–0 0–2
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League 2Q Czech Republic Viktoria Plzeň 1–2 0–0 1–2

UEFA club coefficient ranking

As of 26 August 2021[37]
Rank Team Points
224 Kosovo Drita 5.000
225 Greece Aris 5.000
226 Czech Republic Liberec 5.000
227 Lithuania Riteriai 5.000
228 Malta Valletta 5.000
229 Belarus D.Minsk 5.000

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Historia e FC Drita" [History of FC Drita] (in Albanian). FC Drita. Archived from the original on 2017-08-19. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
  2. ↑ "Historiku" [History]. Football Federation of Kosovo. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  3. ↑ "Rreth nesh" [About us] (in Albanian). FC Drita.
  4. ↑ "Valon Murseli e Flamur Bunjaku premtojnë Drita do të shkëlqej" [Valon Murseli and Flamur Bunjaku promise the Drita will shine]. RajoniPress (in Albanian). 21 July 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Intelektualët" [Intellectuals]. Tifozat. Archived from the original on 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  6. ↑ "Rrahja ndërmjet tifozëve në derbin Drita-Gjilani [video]" [Beating between fans in derby Drita-Gjilani [video] (in Albanian). Koha Ditore. 23 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Momenti kur makina e Intelektualëve shkelë qëllimisht Plisat dhe përleshja mes tifozëve" [The moment when the car of Intellectual intentionally violates the Plisat and the clash between the fans]. Zeri (in Albanian). Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  8. ↑ "Vetura me tabela të Gjilanit godet tifozët e Prishtinës në Pejë" [The car with vehicle plates of Gjilan strikes Pristina fans in Peja]. Indeksonline (in Albanian). Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  9. ↑ "Kosovo: new nation, fresh problems". Worldsoccer.com. James Montague. 20 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Drita feston titullin e kampionit, të dytin në histori" [Drita celebrates the title of the champion, the second in history] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 20 May 2018. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  11. 1 2 "Historike: Drita e Bekim Isufit, kampione pa asnjë humbje" [Historical: Drita of Bekim Isufi, champion without any loss]. Arbresh.info (in Albanian). 20 May 2018.
  12. ↑ "Ja futbollisti me më së shumti paraqitje te Drita si dhe top-shenuesi më i mirë i gjitha kohrave?!" [Here is the player with the most appearance to Drita as well as the top goalscorer of all times?!]. Futbolli Kosovar (in Albanian). 11 August 2018.
  13. ↑ "VIDEO/Drita shkruan historinë mund Linkolnin dhe kalon në raundin tjetër kualifikues" [VIDEO/Drita writes the history can Lincoln and passes to the next qualifying round]. BalkanWeb (in Albanian). 30 June 2018.
  14. ↑ "Drita humb ndeshjen e parë ndaj Malmos" [Drita loses the first match against Malmo] (in Albanian). Kallxo. 10 July 2018.
  15. ↑ "Këto janë fanellat e Dritës për edicionin e ardhshëm" [These are the kits of Drita for the upcoming edition]. GazetaOlle (in Albanian). Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  16. ↑ "Nis ndërtimi i stadiumit në Gjilan" [Stadium construction begins in Gjilan] (in Albanian). Koha Ditore. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  17. ↑ "Java XIX: Drita – Prishtina" [Week XIX: Drita – Prishtina] (in Albanian). FC Prishtina.
  18. 1 2 "Historia interesante e Dritës kampione" [Interesting story of Drita champion]. Gazeta Sheshi (in Albanian). 21 December 2016. Në atë edicion, Dritën e kishte udhëhequr trajneri, Hysni Maxhuni, i cili kishte kryer gjithë punën. Mirëpo, në momentin final, pak javë para se të përfundonte kampionati, ai u shkarkua, derisa drejtimin e skuadës e mori Ramadan Cimili, i cili u shpall kampion
  19. ↑ "Arbnor Morina, trajner i ri i Dritës" [Arbnor Morina, new coach of Drita] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 30 November 2013.
  20. ↑ Musa Selimi, trajner i ri i Dritës - Rajoni Press (in Albanian)
  21. ↑ Arbnor Morina, trajner i ri i Dritës - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  22. ↑ Zyrtare: Agron Selmani, trajner i Dritës - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  23. ↑ "Drita zbulon trajnerin e ri - Sadat Pajaziti" [Drita reveals the new coach - Sadat Pajaziti]. TopSporti (in Albanian). 5 February 2016.
  24. ↑ "EKSKLUZIVE: Drita me trajner boshnjak" [EXCLUSIVE: Drita with Bosnian coach]. Zeri (in Albanian). 19 September 2016.
  25. ↑ "Zyrtare: Ismet Munishi, trajner i Dritës" [Official: Ismet Munishi, the coach of Drita] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 19 October 2016.
  26. ↑ "Milaim Zuzaku flet për herë të parë si trajner i Dritës, ka premtime të mëdha" [Milaim Zuzaku talks for the first time as the coach of Drita, there are great promises]. Gazeta Olle (in Albanian). 6 April 2017.
  27. ↑ "Bekim Isufi merr drejtimin e Dritës" [Bekim Isufi takes the lead of Drita]. TopSporti (in Albanian). 5 November 2017.
  28. ↑ "Shpëtim Duro firmos me kampionët e Superligës kosovare" [Shpëtim Duro signed with champions of Kosovan Superleague] (in Albanian). Ora News. 17 September 2018.
  29. ↑ "Zyrtare: Ardian Nuhiu s'është më trajner i Dritës". 24 November 2022.
  30. ↑ "Zyrtare: Arsim Thaqi jep dorëheqje nga posti i trajnerit te Drita". 17 April 2023.
  31. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
  32. ↑ "Zyrtare: Ky është kundërshtari i Dritës në rundin preliminar për Champions" [Official: This is the opponent of Drita in preliminary round for Champions] (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 12 June 2018. Kampioni i Kosovës, Drita e ka mësuar kundërshtarin për rundin preliminar në Ligën e Kampionëve. Drita do të përballet me kampionin e Andorrës, FC Santa Coloma (AND), raporton Gazeta Express
  33. ↑ "Hidhet shorti për Ligën e Kampionëve, Drita njeh kundërshtarin" [The draw for the Champions League. Drita knows the opponent] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 12 June 2018. Skuadra kampione e Kosovës, Drita ka mësuar kundërshtarin e saj në Ligën e Kampionëve, turni paraeleminator. Në total ishin 4 skuadra që merrnin pjese. Shorti i ka vendosur përballë skuadrën nga Andorra, Santa Coloma
  34. ↑ "Drita historike, fiton ndeshjen e parë në Ligën e Kampionëve" [Historic Drita, wins the first match in Champions League] (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 26 June 2018. Kjo është fitorja e parë e një ekipi kosovar në Ligën e Kampionëve
  35. ↑ "Drita mëson rivalin e ardhshëm në arenën ndërkombëtare" [Drita learns the upcoming rival in the international arena]. Arbresh.info (in Albanian). 17 July 2018.
  36. ↑ "Drita vazhdon rrugën në Europa League" [Drita continues the way in the Europa League]. TopSporti (in Albanian). 18 July 2018.
  37. ↑ "Member associations - UEFA club coefficient ranking". UEFA.
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