KFF Vllaznia

KFF Vllaznia
Full nameKlubi i Futbollit për Femra Vllaznia Shkodër
Nickname(s)Kuq e Blutë
Founded2013 (2013)
GroundLoro Boriçi Stadium
Capacity16,000
PresidentLazer Matiaj
ManagerNikolin Leka
LeagueKategoria Superiore Femra
2024–25Champions
Websitevllaznia.al

KFF Vllaznia is an Albanian women's professional football club based in Shkodër. The club is considered by UEFA to be the successor club to Ada, who disbanded in 2013. They play their homes games at the Reshit Rusi Stadium and compete in Kategoria Superiore Femra. In conjunction with Ada, the franchise have won eleven consecutive titles, including an unbeaten run in the domestic league from 2013 to 2023 (conceding only 40 goals) which was only broken due to a disciplinary decision from the league.[1] Vllaznia is a concept in Albanian culture often translated as "brotherhood;" it refers to loyalty to one's fis (clan, tribe).[2]

History

Over the years, Ada Velipojë evolved, with Lazër Matia spearheading the formation of a Vllaznia women's team, dissolving Ada into it, therefore putting on the red and blue jerseys and continuing their winning streak. They achieved international success during the 2019-20 season when they reached the top 32 teams in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

In 2017, Vllaznia triumphed in the Balkan tournament held in Alexandroupolis, Greece, with decisive victories over its counterparts Tiverija of Strumica (6–1), Breznica of Pljevlja (1–0) and in the final against Thrace (7–0). The squad, coached by Nikolin Leka, included players like Ardiola Raxhimi, Valbona Lipe, Arbiona Bajraktari and others.

Honours

Kategoria Superiore Femra:

Winners (12) : 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16,[3][4] 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19,[5] 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25.

Albanian Women's Cup:

Winners (10): 2013–14,[6] 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23

Europe Statistics

By season

UEFA Women's Champions League (Update: 7 September 2024)
Season Competition Round Opposition Home Away Agg.
2014–15 UEFA Women's
Champions League
QS KÍ Klaksvík 2–1
3rd
Apollon Limassol 0–0
Gintra Universitetas 0–5
2015–16 UEFA Women's
Champions League
QS FC Minsk 0–3
4rd
SFK 2000 0–5
Konak Belediyespor 1–5
2016–17 UEFA Women's
Champions League
QS FC Zürich 0–3
4rd
ŽNK Pomurje 1–6
Slovan Bratislava 1–2
2017–18 UEFA Women's
Champions League
QS SFK 2000 1–0
2nd
PAOK 0–1
Bettembourg 2–0
2018–19 UEFA Women's
Champions League
QS SFK 2000 0–5
2nd
Pärnu 3–1
Agarista-ȘS Anenii Noi 4–1
2019–20 UEFA Women's
Champions League
QS Wexford Youths 3–1
1st
Birkirkara 1–0
Gintra Universitetas 1–1
R32 Fortuna Hjørring 0–1 0–2 0–3
2020–21 UEFA Women's
Champions League
1QR ALG Spor 3–3 (3–2 p) 3–3 (3–2 p)
2QR Minsk 0–2 0–2
2021–22 UEFA Women's
Champions League
1QR Ferencváros 0−0 (3–1 p) 0−0 (3–1p)
2QR Juventus 0−2 0−1 0–3
2022–23 UEFA Women's
Champions League
1QR Spartak Myjava 1–0 1–0
2QR Vorskla-Kharkiv-2 2–1 1–1 3–2
GS Chelsea 0−4 0–8
4th
Paris Saint-Germain 0–4 0–5
Real Madrid 0−2 1−5
2023–24 UEFA Women's
Champions League
1QR EP-COM Hajvalia 4–2 4–2
Valur 1–2 1−2
2024–25 UEFA Women's
Champions League
1QR Lanchkhuti 3–0 3–0
St. Pölten 0−1 0−1

Players

Current squad

As of 20 October 2022[7]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ALB Ardiola Raxhimi
1 GK  ALB Antigona Hyska
2 DF  ALB Suzanë Vuksani
3 DF  ALB Arbenita Curraj
4 MF  USA McKenna Davidson
6 DF  ALB Sara Maliqi
7 FW  KOS Jehona Shala
8 MF  USA Bianca Coad Azar
9 FW  USA Tarah Patterson
10 FW  KOS Rrezona Ramadani
11 FW  ALB Megi Doçi
12 GK  MAS Nurul Azurin Mazlan
13 MF  ALB Arlinda Piranaj
14 MF  ALB Ezmiralda Franja
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF  ALB Gresa Berisha
16 DF  ALB Luçije Gjini
17 FW  ALB Esi Lufo
18 MF  ALB Klaudia Borci
19 DF  ALB Matilda Gjergji
21 MF  ALB Arlinda Kodra
24 DF  MNE Maja Šaranović
25 FW  CYP Marinella Panayiotou
26 DF  USA Alexus Knox
30 FW  MNE Aleksandra Popović
31 FW  ALB Maria Bashka
33 GK  USA Kaylin Williams-Mosier
34 MF  FRA Sanera Ahamadi

Former players

  • Kelly O'Brien[8]

Managers

  • Fatmir Axhani & Hava Axheri (2010–2013)
  • Selami Pepaj (25 June 2013 – 1 June 2015)[9]
  • Nikolin Leka (1 July 2015 – 1 June 2023)
  • Haris Lika (1 August 2023– )

References

  1. ^ "ÇUDIRA SHQIPTARE/ Disiplina 'i shkakton' humbjen e parë pas 11 vitesh Vllaznisë së femrave!!!" (in Albanian). shkodra-sport.com. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  2. ^ Congress, Library of (28 October 1968). "The Quarterly journal of the Library of Congress" – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "VLLAZNIA PER FEMRA, SHPALLET KAMPIONE E VENDIT" (in Albanian). Rozafa. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  4. ^ "VLLAZNIA FEMRA KURORËZOHET KAMPIONE E VENDIT" (in Albanian). Rozafa. 8 May 2016. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Albanian Women's National Championship". Soccerway. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Vllaznia triumfon me goleadë në Kupën e Shqipërisë". panorama-sport.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  7. ^ "KFF Vllaznia Shkodër (squad)". UEFA. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Leopards in the Pros: Kelly O'Brien '18 Continues European Soccer Journey". Lafayette College Athletics. 29 April 2021.
  9. ^ Kola, Gjergj. "Selami Pepaj, zgjidhet trajneri i Adës së femrave". shkodrasport.com. Retrieved 25 August 2017.