History of Partizani Tirana
FK Partizani were founded by the Albanian National Liberation Army soon after the end of World War II. In their first years of existence, Partizani’s team had to rely on players from the Scanderbeg Military High School and Albanian Military Academy, as well as players from other existing teams. In the first championship after World War II in 1945, there were two army teams that participated, Ylli and Liria. They only played in the first championship, because after that they merged and created Ushtria (The Army).
In January 13, 1946, the team played its first friendly match against the reigning champions Vllaznia. The match, which was played in Tirana under heavy rain, ended in a goalless tie. Ushtria had distinctive uniforms because the initials of each player were on the front of their shirts. The first historic lineup was: Bonati, Luga, Tepelia, Demneri, Fagu, Rexhepi, L.Hoxha, Teliti, Kavaja, Bakalli and Bylyku.
On April 7, 1946, in a friendly match against 17 Nentori of Tirana, the team had for the first time the name “Partizani” on the shirts. Partizani won the match by a 2-0 score line with goals by O. Pengili and Q. Teliti. The starting lineup for this match was: Cobani, Tepeli, Dibra, Fagu, Kavaja, Pengili, Hoxha, Sakiqi, Bylyku and Demneri.
Partizani didn’t participate in the 1946 championship but they went on a friendly match tour all over Albania, playing 9 matches and scoring 26 times while giving up 9 goals. The top scorer of these exhibition games wasQamil Teliti who found the net 11 times.
Partizani participated in the national championship for the first time in 1947 and they managed to win the trophy on their debut. They went on to win again in 1948 and 1949, and they managed to win the Republic’s Cup as well during those years. Sllave Llambi was in charge of the team. He had also played for Partizani.
In over 60 years Partizani have earned fame in Albania by becoming a legendary club. They have won 15 League titles, 15 Cups and 2 Supercups. Another great achievement is the two silver medals won in Leipzig and Hanoi against well known teams from Eastern Europe.
Partizani are also the only Albanian team to have won a trophy abroad. In 1970 they won the prestigious Balkans Cup by overcoming PFC Beroe Stara Zagora in the final matches; the first leg was a 1-1 draw in Tirana and a 3-0 win was awarded for the second leg, as Beroe withdrew from the second leg. They are still the only Albanian club to have ever lifted an international trophy.
Partizani and their talented players have long been the base for the national team as well. Hundreds of Partizani players have worn on the national team jersey. Many players from Partizani have received medals in Albania and have also played abroad in Italy,Germany, Romania, Greece, Turkey, Switzerland etc.
The club are also considered by many to have one of the largest fan bases in Albania. This is not only in Tirana, but throughout the whole country.
Partizani have went through hard times after the fall of communism in Albania in 1990 and they only managed to win the League once in 1993 and the Cup on 4 occasions, 1991, 1993, 1997 and 2004. The club was taken over by Albert Xhani in 1994 and a few years later were relegated for the first time in their history to the second division in 1998. Partizani earned promotion immediately by also winning the second level division trophy. However, Albert Xhani who had been in charge for 11 years, has only won one Cup trophy. The closest they got to winning the league was in the 2007-08 season when the team, under coach Hasan Lika, couldn’t win the last match of the season against rivals Dinamo Tirana, which would have brought home the title.
The following season was one of the worst. The bad financial situation brought poor results and Shpetim Duro took over the team. He managed to motivate the team and they had a far more positive season than expected by reaching the play-outs, but they couldn’t overcome KS Kastrioti in a much contested play-out match. So Partizani were again relegated for the second time.
The 2009/10 season was another bad one. President Albert Xhani declared that there would be no salaries for the players this season. However there were a few well known players that decided to join the team like Skerdi Bejzade, Klodian Asllani, Arjan Sheta and Sokol Ishka. Eduard Zhupa was the coach initially, but after 6 matches through the season, striker Bejzade also took over the coaching position. Before the start of the second half of the season there were two new shareholders, Paro Laci with 40% of the shares and Lulezim Sallaku with 10%, while Xhani retained the remaining 50%. However it was Laci who was paying the salaries now and he took charge of the club. Partizani thrived by getting consecutive wins, but Laci decides to fire coach Bejzade, Xhani’s favorite, and bring in Gerti Haxhiu, a more experienced head coach. After the season 2010-11, team relegated for the first time from Albanian First Division to Albanian Second Division. This was the lowest point in KF Partizani history. Next season, however, they managed to gain promotion back to Albanian First Division and, despite all difficulties faced, are still trying to finally promote to Superliga.
After relegation to the Albanian First Division, Partizani plays at the Selman Stërmasi stadium. Before that, they played at the national stadium Qemal Stafa.
From season 2011 – 2014 Partizani changing direction several times presidency where followers Albert Xhani would be the role of Paro Laçi shareholders later Lulzim Sallaku.
While the season 2013 – 2014 which coincides with the return of the legendary team of elite football in Albania under the leadership of Partizan is known Gazment Demi businessman who is legally President of the Club.
