KS Elbasani

KS Elbasani
Full name	Klubi Sportiv or KF Elbasani
Nickname(s)	Tigrat Verdheblu
Founded	1923
Ground	Stadioni Ruzhdi Bizhuta,; Elbasan, Albania; (Capacity: 13,000)
Chairman	Arben Laze
Manager	Mirel Josa
League	Albanian Superliga
2008-09	12th
Home colours	Away colours

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Klubi Sportiv or KF Elbasani is an Albanian football club, which plays in the city of Elbasan. The club was founded in 1923, from the fusion of two teams, "Aferdita Elbasan" and "Perparimi Elbasan", under the name "Klubi Futbollit Urani Elbasan".

In 1932, the club renamed themselves "KS Skampa Elbasan", in 1939, "KS Bashkimi", in 1949 "KS Elbasani", in 1950 "Puna Elbasan", and from 1958 to 1991 they were named "KS Labinoti Elbasan". The club plays at the Ruzhdi Bizhuta stadium (capacity 13.500).

In the season of 1984-85, the team participated in a European cup competition for the first time. The club played in the first qualifying round of the 2005-06 UEFA Cup, but were eliminated by FK Vardar of the Republic of Macedonia (1-1 aggregate).

During the 2005/06 season, the team of Elbasani dominated the Albanian Superliga and won the second title in their history, finishing the competition with 11 points more than their rivals in SK Tirana. The city of Elbasan celebrated the fact in a unique way in Albania, by bringing the players downtown in an open bus, where tens of thousands of fans congratulated them.

In the 2006-07 1st qualifying round for the Champions League they were eliminated by FK Ekranas from Lithuania (1-3 aggregate). On 24 December 2006 coach Luan Deliu was fired and replaced by Edmond Gezdari.

[edit] Achievements

The club has won:

Albanian Superliga: 2

(1983-84, 2005-06)

Albanian First Division: 3

(1933, 1958, 2001-02)

Albanian Cup: 2

(1975, 1992).

[edit] KS Elbasani in Europe

As of December, 2008.

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away
1984/85	European Cup	1R	Lyngby BK	0-3	0-3
2005/06	UEFA Cup	1QR	FK Vardar	1-1	0-0
2006/07	UEFA Champions League	1QR	FK Ekranas	1-0	0-3

1QR = 1st Qualifying Round
1R = 1st Round

[edit] Current squad

As of July 2009

No.		Position	Player
		GK	Alfred Osmani
		GK	Irakli Toci
		DF	Nevil Dede
		DF	Stavrion Lako
		DF	Merdian Kasollja
		DF	Arjan Sheta
		DF	Nikola Karcev
		DF	Ardit Beqiri
		DF	Egert Bakalli
		DF	Endrit Vrapi
		MF	Endri Duka
		MF	Oriand Abazaj
		MF	Eriol Merxha
		MF	Julian Ahmataj

No.		Position	Player
		MF	Marsid Dushku
		MF	Elton Basriu
		MF	Armando Mehmetaj
		MF	Emin Baliqi
		MF	Sokol Bulku
		MF	Renato Hyshmeri
		FW	Toni Meglenski
		FW	Gentian Stojku
		FW	Shpetim Babaj
		FW	Bernard Tchoutang
		FW	Ilir Qorri
		FW	Skerdi Bejzade
		FW	Fjodor Xhafa