FK Shkendija 79
Encyclopedia
FK Shkëndija is a football
club based in Tetovo
, Republic of Macedonia
. Their home stadium is Gradski Stadion Tetovo
and currently play in the Macedonian First League
. In the 2010–11 season of the First Macedonian Football League the club won its first major championship.
from Tetovo
. The purpose of forming the club was so that the Albanians throughout Yugoslavia
could unite in supporting a club for Albanians. FK Shkëndija was frowned upon by Yugoslav officials as it was thought the club would awaken nationalist feeling among the Albanians of Yugoslavia. Starting at the lowest division in Yugoslavia, Shkëndija won the league in the 1979–1980 season, resulting in Shkëndija being promoted into the Third division. After claiming the third division title in the 1980–1981 season, Shkëndija was then again promoted into the Second division. However, as the popularity of the club began to increase among the Albanian population of Yugoslavia, the ruling communist government members disbanded the club, worried that the club would start a nationalistic revival in Yugoslavia.
declared independence from Yugoslavia, FK Shkëndija was re-established into the Macedonian Football League. It started at the Fourth division, eventually being promoted each season to the third, second and finally, to the First division. In the 2010–11 season of the First Macedonian Football League the club won its first major championship with an unbeaten run of 16 games.
Balli Kombëtar
. When the club was formed in 1979, use of nationalism was strictly prohibited by the Yugoslavia
n government. The supporting firm of Shkëndija called themselves BAL, using the first three letters of Balli Kombëtar. When Shkëndija was reinstated into the Macedonian Football League, the supporting firm was re-established as the Ballistët.
The Ballistët are one of the most notorious football supporters in Macedonia
. Their antics are occasionally reported on the news. Recently, on 18 October 2010, Shkëndija played against FK Napredok
away in Kicevo
. The Ballist removed the Macedonian
flag from the mast and put an Albania
n flag in its place. As the police tried to put the Macedonian flag up again, the Ballist tore out their seats and threw them at the police.
Fans of opposing clubs barely go to Gradski Stadium as the “Ballistet” are one of the largest firms in Macedonia
. This was noted when FK Rabotnički
played Shkëndija in 2008. Rabotnicki had the lead over Shkëndija in Tetovo with the score 0:1. A loss would have meant relegation into the second division. At half time, Rabotnicki's players and coaches where attacked when they were leaving the pitch. Rabotnicki supporters and police could not stop the large presence of Shkëndija supporters, resulting in the match to be abandoned and Shkëndija being relegated to the second league.
In Tetovo, the group has been responsible for the desecration of the monument to the fallen partisans in the national-liberation struggle. They graffiti "Ballistet Shkëndija" and "1992 Ultras". This occurred ten days after the Macedonian independence day.
The Ballistët maintain good relations with the BBB
of Dinamo Zagreb
.
After Partizan Belgrade
defeated Shkëndija in Skopje
for the quilifying rounds of the champions league, Partizan coach Aleksandar Stanojevic
stated that Shkëndija out played Partizan in the first half due to the great atmosphere of the Shkëndija supporters intimidating the Partizan players. In the match, the Albanian flag covered the entire west end of the stadium, along with banners such as “Ballistet”, “1st state Albania
, 2nd state Kosova
, 3rd state coming soon” and “March, 24 1999
”. The Ballistet chanted notable remarks such as, "Kill the Cockroaches" (Serbs), Adem Jashari
, UCK
, Republic of Kosovo and singing Albanian nationalist songs.
background, Shkëndija has rivalry with most of the Macedonian
football clubs. However, the biggest rivalry are with FK Vardar
and FK Teteks
. The Shkëndija-Teteks rivalry is one of the biggest and most heated in Macedonia. When Shkëndija play against Teteks, majority of the Tetovo
police are stationed at Gradski Stadium.
Macedonian Super Cup
(1):
Agim Ibraimi
Ismail Ismaili
Arbën Nuhiji
Artim Položani
Artim Šakiri
Suat Zendeli
Xhelil Abdulla
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club based in Tetovo
Tetovo
Tetovo is a city in the northwestern part of Macedonia, built on the foothills of Šar Mountain and divided by the Pena River.The city covers an area of at above sea level, with a population of 86,580 citizens in the municipality. Tetovo is home to the State University of Tetovo and South East...
, Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
. Their home stadium is Gradski Stadion Tetovo
City Stadium Tetovo
City Stadium Tetovo is a multi-purpose stadium in Tetovo, Republic of Macedonia. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 20,000....
and currently play in the Macedonian First League
Macedonian First League
The First Macedonian Football League is the highest professional football competition in the Republic of Macedonia.The league consists of 12 teams. The teams play against each other 3 times...
. In the 2010–11 season of the First Macedonian Football League the club won its first major championship.
SFRY Period
FK Shkëndija was formed in 1979 by AlbaniansAlbanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
from Tetovo
Tetovo
Tetovo is a city in the northwestern part of Macedonia, built on the foothills of Šar Mountain and divided by the Pena River.The city covers an area of at above sea level, with a population of 86,580 citizens in the municipality. Tetovo is home to the State University of Tetovo and South East...
. The purpose of forming the club was so that the Albanians throughout Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
could unite in supporting a club for Albanians. FK Shkëndija was frowned upon by Yugoslav officials as it was thought the club would awaken nationalist feeling among the Albanians of Yugoslavia. Starting at the lowest division in Yugoslavia, Shkëndija won the league in the 1979–1980 season, resulting in Shkëndija being promoted into the Third division. After claiming the third division title in the 1980–1981 season, Shkëndija was then again promoted into the Second division. However, as the popularity of the club began to increase among the Albanian population of Yugoslavia, the ruling communist government members disbanded the club, worried that the club would start a nationalistic revival in Yugoslavia.
Re-establishment
After MacedoniaRepublic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
declared independence from Yugoslavia, FK Shkëndija was re-established into the Macedonian Football League. It started at the Fourth division, eventually being promoted each season to the third, second and finally, to the First division. In the 2010–11 season of the First Macedonian Football League the club won its first major championship with an unbeaten run of 16 games.
Supporters
The supporters of Shkëndija are called the Ballistët, named after the World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Balli Kombëtar
Balli Kombëtar
Balli Kombëtar was an Albanian nationalist, anti-communist and anti-monarchy organization established in October 1939. It was led by Ali Këlcyra and Mit’hat Frashëri...
. When the club was formed in 1979, use of nationalism was strictly prohibited by the Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
n government. The supporting firm of Shkëndija called themselves BAL, using the first three letters of Balli Kombëtar. When Shkëndija was reinstated into the Macedonian Football League, the supporting firm was re-established as the Ballistët.
The Ballistët are one of the most notorious football supporters in Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
. Their antics are occasionally reported on the news. Recently, on 18 October 2010, Shkëndija played against FK Napredok
FK Napredok
FK Napredok is a football team from Kičevo, Republic of Macedonia, that currently plays in the Macedonian First League. The club plays at the City Stadium Kičevo, with a capacity of 6,000.-History:...
away in Kicevo
Kicevo
Kičevo is a city in the western part of the Republic of Macedonia, located in a valley in the south-eastern slopes of Mount Bistra, between the cities of Ohrid and Gostivar. The capital Skopje is 112 km away. The city of Kičevo is the seat of Kičevo Municipality.-Population:The municipality...
. The Ballist removed the Macedonian
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
flag from the mast and put an Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
n flag in its place. As the police tried to put the Macedonian flag up again, the Ballist tore out their seats and threw them at the police.
Fans of opposing clubs barely go to Gradski Stadium as the “Ballistet” are one of the largest firms in Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
. This was noted when FK Rabotnički
FK Rabotnicki
FK Rabotnički is a football club that plays at the Philip II Arena in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. They currently compete in the Macedonian First League.-History:...
played Shkëndija in 2008. Rabotnicki had the lead over Shkëndija in Tetovo with the score 0:1. A loss would have meant relegation into the second division. At half time, Rabotnicki's players and coaches where attacked when they were leaving the pitch. Rabotnicki supporters and police could not stop the large presence of Shkëndija supporters, resulting in the match to be abandoned and Shkëndija being relegated to the second league.
In Tetovo, the group has been responsible for the desecration of the monument to the fallen partisans in the national-liberation struggle. They graffiti "Ballistet Shkëndija" and "1992 Ultras". This occurred ten days after the Macedonian independence day.
The Ballistët maintain good relations with the BBB
Bad Blue Boys
Bad Blue Boys are an Ultras group who support the Croatian football club GNK Dinamo Zagreb.-History:Bad Blue Boys were originally founded on 17 March 1986 in Zagreb , with members from different areas of Zagreb...
of Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb
GNK Dinamo Zagreb, commonly referred to as Dinamo Zagreb , or by their nickname Modri are a Croatian football club based in Zagreb. They play their home matches at Stadion Maksimir. They are the most successful club in Croatian football, having won thirteen Croatian championship titles, ten...
.
After Partizan Belgrade
Partizan Belgrade
Jugoslovensko Sportsko Društvo Partizan, commonly abbreviated as JSD Partizan is a sports association from Belgrade, Serbia. Founded on 4th October 1945, it's an umbrella organization featuring 26 clubs in 26 sports.-Sports/Clubs:-History:...
defeated Shkëndija in Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
for the quilifying rounds of the champions league, Partizan coach Aleksandar Stanojevic
Aleksandar Stanojević
Aleksandar Stanojević is a Serbian football manager and former player. He is currently head coach of Partizan Belgrade.-Playing career:...
stated that Shkëndija out played Partizan in the first half due to the great atmosphere of the Shkëndija supporters intimidating the Partizan players. In the match, the Albanian flag covered the entire west end of the stadium, along with banners such as “Ballistet”, “1st state Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, 2nd state Kosova
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
, 3rd state coming soon” and “March, 24 1999
1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia
The NATO bombing of Yugoslavia was NATO's military operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War. The strikes lasted from March 24, 1999 to June 10, 1999...
”. The Ballistet chanted notable remarks such as, "Kill the Cockroaches" (Serbs), Adem Jashari
Adem Jashari
Adem Jashari was born in Prekaz, in the Drenica region of Kosovo, . He is considered to be one of the chief architects of the Kosovo Liberation Army, along with Zahir Pajaziti...
, UCK
Kosovo Liberation Army
The Kosovo Liberation Army or KLA was a Kosovar Albanian paramilitary organization which sought the separation of Kosovo from Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the 1990s....
, Republic of Kosovo and singing Albanian nationalist songs.
Rivalry
Being a club with a strong Albanian nationalistBalli Kombëtar
Balli Kombëtar was an Albanian nationalist, anti-communist and anti-monarchy organization established in October 1939. It was led by Ali Këlcyra and Mit’hat Frashëri...
background, Shkëndija has rivalry with most of the Macedonian
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
football clubs. However, the biggest rivalry are with FK Vardar
FK Vardar
FK Vardar Skopje is a Macedonian football club based in the capital city of Skopje. FK Vardar is currently a member of the 1-MFL. FK Vardar is the most popular and renowned Macedonian football club both domestically and abroad, having won 6 national championships and 6 national cups...
and FK Teteks
FK Teteks
FK Teteks is a football club from the city of Tetovo in the Republic of Macedonia. They currently play in the Macedonian First League.-History:...
. The Shkëndija-Teteks rivalry is one of the biggest and most heated in Macedonia. When Shkëndija play against Teteks, majority of the Tetovo
Tetovo
Tetovo is a city in the northwestern part of Macedonia, built on the foothills of Šar Mountain and divided by the Pena River.The city covers an area of at above sea level, with a population of 86,580 citizens in the municipality. Tetovo is home to the State University of Tetovo and South East...
police are stationed at Gradski Stadium.
Honours
First Macedonian Football League (1):- 2010–11
Macedonian Super Cup
Macedonian Super Cup
The Macedonian Super Cup is a one-match football annual competition. The two participating clubs are the First Macedonian Football League champion and the Macedonian Cup winner.The inaugural edition of the trophy was in 2011.-Matches:2011...
(1):
- 2010–11
Shkëndija in Europe
- Q = qualifier
Season Competition Round Club Score 2011/12 UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...Q2 
FK Partizan FK PartizanFudbalski klub Partizan is a professional football club based in Belgrade, Serbia. In its long history, FK Partizan won as many as 37 trophies. The club is the holder of 23 national championships, 12 national cups and 1 national supercup, and has also won the Mitropa Cup in 1978...0–4, 0–1
First-team squad
As of 19 July 2011Notable former players
Ilami HalimiIlami Halimi
Ilami Halimi is a Macedonian footballer of Albanian ethnicity who recently played for FK DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda in the Slovak Superliga....
Agim Ibraimi
Agim Ibraimi
Agim Ibraimi is a Macedonian football player of Albanian descent who primarily plays as an offensive midfielder or a second striker for Slovenian club Maribor.-Club career:...
Ismail Ismaili
Ismail Ismaili
Ismail Ismaili is an ethnic Albanian footballer from the Republic of Macedonia currently playing for FK Renova. He has played three times for the Republic of Macedonia national football team.-External sources:...
Arbën Nuhiji
Arbën Nuhiji
Arben Nuhiu is an association footballer from the Republic of Macedonia, currently playing for Vardar. He is an ethnic Albanian.He played his last cap for Macedonia against Turkey on 11 March 2003.-External links:...
Artim Položani
Artim Položani
Artim Položani is a Macedonian footballer, who plays for FC Torpedo Moscow.-Career:Artim joined FK Vardar from TuS Koblenz in the German Bundesliga 2 where he wasn't getting enough game time due to a lack of opportunities leading to his free transfer back to Macedonia where he initially made an...
Artim Šakiri
Artim Šakiri
Artim Šakiri is a football midfielder from the Republic of Macedonia of Albanian ethnicity, who most recently played for FK Karabakh in Azerbijan.-Club career:...
Suat Zendeli
Suat Zendeli
Suat Zendeli is an Macedonian Albanian football player. The goalkeeper currently plays for FC Petrolul Ploieşti.-External links:*...
Xhelil Abdulla
Xhelil Abdulla
Xhelil Abdulla ) is a Macedonian footballer of Albanian descent who plays as a centre back for De Graafschap.-Club:KF Shkëndija...