KF Tirana Info

AFA and KF Tirana are very close to officially start of the biggest project the history of Albanian sport has seen.Since 2 years,locked within AFA offices,it is now ready for implementation.It will have a capacity of 15000-20000 seats,all-closed,with a cost of 600-1000 euro per seat.The destination will be Stadium”Selman Stermasi”.

The existing seats will be all destroyed.Pitch will be close to the seating areas which will be divided in many separated zones via plastic glass.This is thought to be the case also for separating seats from the main pitch.Also the main building and surroundings will be multi functional.Around the stadium will be various shops,restaurants and bars,whilst even the square in the front of the stadium will be used.Main offices of KF Tirana will be in the stadium,whilst,in the corner where separates main from the side seating areas will be some of AFA offices.There will be at least 15 men and women public toilets and the stadium might be used also for concerts.
All four KF Tirana donators have started the paperwork.Also the Ministry of Economy has started the procedures,due to be completed shortly.Officials from Ministry have considered this as a very important start,and if successful,would be applied also for other clubs.At the same time,a verbal agreement is already made from donators with Tirana Municipality,in order to have a 99 year deal upon the stadium.This guarantees them start working with the project and after everything is built,they can have 100 % earnings.Project will officially start implementation within the incoming soccer season.Money is ready,everything just needs getting started.

This swiss-made project has had also another option of building a 30000 seat stadium,but such huge space would be very hard to get fully used,considering several factors,including that Albania has not the luxury to offer every Saturday more than 15000 fans in the main stadium.

From this huge project will not only benefit the white and blue club,but also Albanian fans in general and Albanian football.

Europa League benefits albanian clubs !

The new name heralds major changes to the competition, which will have a new 48-team group stage with centralised marketing of broadcast rights, a presenting sponsor and an official matchball in addition to centralised sponsorship from the knockout stage and a new logo and visual identity. UEFA President Michel Platini said: "These changes will improve this historic competition, which is very important for UEFA and for European football as it gives more fans, players and clubs the thrill of European club football. I am convinced the new format will give the UEFA Europa League a successful new impetus."
Wholesale changes
The changes to the name, logo and brand identity of the competition are the next logical step following the decision to alter the format of the UEFA Cup and create a true group stage, with both home and away matches. That decision was taken by the UEFA Executive Committee in Lucerne, Switzerland, back in December 2007. The change of name better represents the format of the competition and with the enhancements to the logo and brand, the changes are such that from the 2009/10 season the UEFA Cup will effectively become a new competition.
Changing landscape
The new name and logo will help underline the tournament's special character and unique sporting appeal. The fresh format will encourage teams from emerging countries or lesser-known sides to challenge the old order, and the new identity will seek to reflect that. UEFA's ambition in making all these changes is to rejuvenate the competition in the light of the new European football landscape, which has shifted significantly with the continued success of the UEFA Champions League, so that the UEFA Europa League can establish itself as a major competition.
Right time
"First and foremost, [the decision] is about timing," UEFA General Secretary David Taylor told uefa.com. "We've got a new competition and a new format for 2009-12, with centralisation of the group stage and with the group stage being much more similar to the UEFA Champions League format – whereby teams will play home and away. We have an opportunity to change the marketing [of the competition].
Fresh start
"The UEFA Cup has been an excellent tournament over the years, but in some senses it has suffered a little bit [through] being a different tournament and not having the same prestige as the [UEFA] Champions League. We believe that a new name and a new brand identity will help with sponsors and with the whole identity of the competition."

Champions desperate to fill in the blanks

KF Tirana-KS Skenderbeu 1-0 (Nallbani 92'(p)

Throughout Champions League matches,two first rounds of Superior League,Supercup final and also friendlies KF Tirana has been truly desperate for players missing.
There have not been young or substitute players,but important key ones.Captain Mukaj,midfielder Muzaka,striker Memelli-all injured,defender Lila(red card in previous match)new arrivals Bici and Malindi(still awaiting for their documentation)Dede,Ahmataj still not in their best shape and finally Sina who showed also out of shape in the match against Skenderbeu.There are a lot and make more than half of the team!
Nonetheless,coming from previous home loss against Flamurtari,white and blues entered the pitch determined for the 3 points.As expected,it didnt prove to be easy at all.First half started with hosts dominating but they were confused in their attacks with the only decent striker,Abilaliaj,in a bad day.Osmani played injured to secure the defense.With captain Mukaj missing there was no one left as playmaker,neither a right wing midfielder.Attacks were lacking aggressivity due to lack of strikers.There was not much to do,just that awaiting for a golden chance to score and luck,lots of luck.Two opportunities counted for Tirana at this half.
Second half of the match saw Tirana looking more towards Skenderbeu goal,however,best chance was when Sefa hit the post,with 15 minutes to go.Should Skenderbeu use in full their chance at 81',where keeper Nallbani saved the goal just randomly just by his leg,match would have ended there.But sometimes luck favours the strong and right at 92' in perhaps Tirana final attack from left wing Abraham sent a ball for Ferraj who got into Skenderbeu zone and was stopped in the wrong way.Penalty.No one would take responsibility except keeper Nallbani who scored a very important goal and the 3 points to keep the champions on track with other rivals.
A two-week stoppage due to National Team preparations for their match,will be very useful for Tirana in order to complete the squad before 3-rd round in their first away match of the season.

Round 8: KF Tirana - Teuta KS 2-0 ( Muzaka 78' , Devolli 89' )

After several troubled rounds and exactly 2 draws and 2 losses which brought the team 9 point adrift table leaders,KF Tirana finally had their say by beating Teuta KS at home match with the 2-0 result.
First half saw numerous wasted chances from white and blues.With captain Mukaj returned from a long injury,Lila after 5 weeks punishement and Devolli after the three-yellow cards ban Tirana certainly looked better,but still couldnt produce a single goal,at least not for 45 first minutes.
Second half pressure into Teuta zone intensified,however,in one occasion guests could have scored should the close range header be spot on.This happened at 62'.Some 10 minutes later,it should have been the class of midfielder Muzaka after a brilliant rebound from Osmani,to score from a hard position from left wing of Tirana attack and bring champions ahead in scoreline.
And Muzaka was the key also at Devolli header 11 minutes later who doubled to two-nil,
seconds away from regular time limit.There was also time for a red card for a Teuta player and match ended right there.
It went all fine for Tirana therefore,but not with their "Fanatics" supporters that clearly disagree with the situation,the difference from top and lack of eagerness that players have given in the pitch at first 7 matches of the new season.
They ignored both scored goals by returning their back to players twice,reading papers and protesting loudly with slogans as "Where is european Tirana?","We are here ONLY for Tirana jersey","You dont deserve us",etc.

Sebino Plaku,ex-KS Dinamo forward,will from now on play for Champions of Albania.Plaku has played previously for KS Apolonia and Ham-Kam FC of Norway.
KF Tirana managed to permanently buy the player from KS Dinamo,despite there were rumours that it would only be a 6-month borrowing period.
Plaku will have a two-year contract with Tirana and have travelled in Antalya,where white and blues are still continuing their preparations.
A friendly against KS Kamza is their next scheduled match which will take place within days.In their previous match Tirana lost against a selection of National Team of Algeria 1-3 despite playing well.However,this was a good test for consolidation of all the team.
Tirana will stay in "Limrak Limra" Hotel until january 20,2010.

WHAT A SHAME !!!

Referee gives a helping hand in KS Dinamo triumph of the derby

In a poor country as Albania,football is seen as primary entertainment,however,due to the high level of corruption that has spread specifically among albanian referees,the interest for the sport has suffered a dramatic decrease.This is clearly indicated from the number of spectators in albanian stadiums.
Latest derby between reigning champions KF Tirana versus current leaders KS Dinamo held still the hope that good football would be produced and past contests for favourable decisions towards KS Dinamo from a number of referees were for a while ignored.A semi-full stadium indicated this-a rarely seen high interest for this match.It has been a fact that in at least 9 previous occasions several referees have decided in one single team's favour (KS Dinamo) irritating fans in the stadium and causing trouble.KF Tirana has been one of the victims in the first match where they lost 1-2 penalised from FIFA referee Sokol Jareci.
But the latter scandal from Bardhyl Pashaj has now surpassed this stage and has already given KS Dinamo a very big hand with his decisions.KF Tirana is the victim again!Three red cards given to Tirana and some doubtful decisions from him in Dinamo's favour have totally destroyed the football in the pitch.
First half produced good football with both teams playing strong and entertaining the public.Champions scored at 42' and were 1-0 in lead at first half.Dinamo's keeper held Muzaka as last player but only yellow card was given!34 minutes earlier referee sent off Tirana defender Bicaj as the last player to hold Bakaj.Questions were raised:why did he not act similarly in the second occassion?
Despite playing with ten men Tirana managed to respond very well until 67-th minute of the match where another unfair red card was given to keeper Nallbani for a straight clearance of the ball defending his zone.However,judged a red card from referee which brought the team to 9 men with a free kick in Dinamo's favour.Having the second keeper in the pitch Tirana suffers the equalizing goal.This brought more tension in the pitch and no one could talk about football any further.A second goal was conceded from lack of control of irritated Tirana players due to another player shown the red card!8 vs 11 in the pitch!
Dinamo wins the match and goes 15 points ahead in the ranking table.
Had a normal clean football been played with no favours from referees towards a single team,the ranking table would have had a totally different view and all other opponents would fairly challenge the leading team and applause their fair triumph.
However,regretfully situation is other thanks to the unfair compromises and corruption.This brings lack of football,lack of spectators,lack of interest in a poor country where football is seen as primary entertainment.What a shame !!!