KS Apolonia Fier
Encyclopedia
Klubi Sportiv Apolonia Fier (KS Apolonia Fier) is an Albania
n football
club based in Fier
. The club was founded as "KS Apollonia" in 1925 - a name derived from the nearby ruined ancient city of Apollonia
. They play at the Stadiumi Loni Papuçiu
. The club has managed to win its only trophy in 1998, winning the Albanian Cup.
started the organised sportive activities. Most of the city's youngsters were students and used to come back in summer for their holidays but also for the football game. The game spread immediately throughout the city's neighboorhoods and in almost every corner there were kids playing football. The first official match to be played in the city of Fier
was the one held on 17 July 1924 between the clubs of Fier
and Vlorë
, an activity organised from the "Bashkimi Cultural Society". In the summer of 1925, a group of students founded Shoqeria Sportive Apollonia which would be among the first football clubs in the city. During 1928 it became a professional club and re-organised its structure by adding the club's regulation and the board of directors, which would plan every activity and match. After the foundation of the Albanian Football Association football became more organised and many activities were held. One of the most important activities was the Muzakia Cup with the participation of clubs from Fier
, Vlorë
, Berat
and Lushnje
, The Muzakia Cup was won by KS Apollonia. Other football clubs created in Fier
were: Myzeqeja SK (1927), Sport Klub Fieri (1930) and Ballkanikja SK (1930).
, volleyball
, athletics, hypism etc. However football remained the most popular sport. In 1958 a new stadium was built in Fier
to host only the football matches played from the club. The stadium was named "Loni Papuciu" and had a capacity of 6000 attendants. The club had its peak from 1985–1990 when it was managed from coach Vangjel Capo. The club managed to achieve its best result in the Albanian First Division finishing third. This placement gave the team the chance to participate in the UEFA Cup
first round where it was eliminated from AJ Auxerre
.
many players left to continue their career abroad. In 1992 the football branch was separated from the main club and continued as KF Apolonia Fier under chairman Koço Kokëdhima. The club started its revival in 1997 after making some impressive appearances to end in the fifth place. The next season the club would finish in a disappointing seventh place but they managed to reach for the first and only time in their history the final of the Albanian Cup. The club would face in the final their arch-rivals KS Lushnja
. Apolonia managed to win the game with 1–0 and bring home the only cup. After some good years in the Albanian Superliga, the club got relegated in 2002–03. Apolonia stayed in the Second Division until their promotion in 2005–06 when they finished as runners-up. Romanian Silviu Dumitrescu, who has a lot of experience, was the new coach for the 2006–07 season. On 10 October 2006, Dumitrescu resigned and was replaced by Dhimitër Papuçiu. Even though he started with some good results the club couldn't manage to leave the last place of the table. Papuçiu was replaced by Andrea Marko at the start of 2007. But their Superliga season would be difficult and they would finish bottom of the table. In the next season after a hard-fought championship they managed to get promoted back to the Superliga. This season under manager Esad Karishik they have managed to establish themselves in the middle of the table.This year KS Apolonia has found a talented player whose name is Aldo Capo.
announced on a visit to Fier
on 23 November 2010 that plans are under way to build a new stadium that will be shared by both Apolonia Fier and Flamurtari Vlorë. The stadium will seat between 15,000 and 20,000 people, making it the second biggest stadium in Albania behind the new under construction Qemal Stafa Stadium. The stadium will be located between the two neighbouring cities near the 'Vlorë Fier Bridge' and is due to be completed by 2013. The shareholders that have taken responsibility in building the new stadium are the Vlorë Council, Fier Council, Apolonia Fier, Flamurtari Vlorë and the Albanian Football Association, who have all promised to invest 20% of the costs each.
and the match between the two clubs is referred as "The Myzeqe Derby". The rivalry between the two clubs became more tense when in 1998 the two clus faced each other in the final of the Albanian Cup. Other rivals include Flamurtari
, KF Çlirimi
second team of Fieri and KS Bylis Ballsh
.
. In the badge are shown the antic ruins of the city in a red background. The club's traditional colours are white and green and this is the reason why they are usually referred to as "Bardhegjelberit" (English
:"White and Green").
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 football
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 Fier
Fier
Fieri is a city in southwest Albania, in the district and county of the same name. It is located at , and has a population of 82,297 . Fier is from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia.-History :...
. The club was founded as "KS Apollonia" in 1925 - a name derived from the nearby ruined ancient city of Apollonia
Apollonia, Illyria
Apollonia was an ancient Greek city in Illyria, located on the right bank of the Aous river . Its ruins are situated in the Fier region, near the village of Pojani, in modern-day Albania...
. They play at the Stadiumi Loni Papuçiu
Stadiumi Loni Papuçiu
Loni Papuçiu Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Fier, Albania. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of KS Apolonia Fier. The stadium has a capacity of 12,000 people.-References:...
. The club has managed to win its only trophy in 1998, winning the Albanian Cup.
Before Second World War
In the early 1920s, in the city of FierFier
Fieri is a city in southwest Albania, in the district and county of the same name. It is located at , and has a population of 82,297 . Fier is from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia.-History :...
started the organised sportive activities. Most of the city's youngsters were students and used to come back in summer for their holidays but also for the football game. The game spread immediately throughout the city's neighboorhoods and in almost every corner there were kids playing football. The first official match to be played in the city of Fier
Fier
Fieri is a city in southwest Albania, in the district and county of the same name. It is located at , and has a population of 82,297 . Fier is from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia.-History :...
was the one held on 17 July 1924 between the clubs of Fier
Fier
Fieri is a city in southwest Albania, in the district and county of the same name. It is located at , and has a population of 82,297 . Fier is from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia.-History :...
and Vlorë
Vlorë
Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
, an activity organised from the "Bashkimi Cultural Society". In the summer of 1925, a group of students founded Shoqeria Sportive Apollonia which would be among the first football clubs in the city. During 1928 it became a professional club and re-organised its structure by adding the club's regulation and the board of directors, which would plan every activity and match. After the foundation of the Albanian Football Association football became more organised and many activities were held. One of the most important activities was the Muzakia Cup with the participation of clubs from Fier
Fier
Fieri is a city in southwest Albania, in the district and county of the same name. It is located at , and has a population of 82,297 . Fier is from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia.-History :...
, Vlorë
Vlorë
Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
, Berat
Berat
Berat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat...
and Lushnje
Lushnjë
Lushnjë or Lushnje is a city in Central-West Albania located at 40.95°N, 19.71°E. It is the center of the District of Lushnje in the County of Fier and has a population of about 54,813. The town was founded in late medieval times by a Turkish widow called Salushe. She built a rest stop on the...
, The Muzakia Cup was won by KS Apollonia. Other football clubs created in Fier
Fier
Fieri is a city in southwest Albania, in the district and county of the same name. It is located at , and has a population of 82,297 . Fier is from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia.-History :...
were: Myzeqeja SK (1927), Sport Klub Fieri (1930) and Ballkanikja SK (1930).
1945-1990
In 1946 Apolonia was re-opened as a multi-sports club. Many sports were practised from the club such as: basketballBasketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, athletics, hypism etc. However football remained the most popular sport. In 1958 a new stadium was built in Fier
Fier
Fieri is a city in southwest Albania, in the district and county of the same name. It is located at , and has a population of 82,297 . Fier is from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia.-History :...
to host only the football matches played from the club. The stadium was named "Loni Papuciu" and had a capacity of 6000 attendants. The club had its peak from 1985–1990 when it was managed from coach Vangjel Capo. The club managed to achieve its best result in the Albanian First Division finishing third. This placement gave the team the chance to participate in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
first round where it was eliminated from AJ Auxerre
AJ Auxerre
Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise is a French association football club based in the commune of Auxerre in Burgundy. The club was founded in 1905 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Auxerre plays its home matches at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps on the banks of the...
.
1990-present
After the fall of communism just like in every club in AlbaniaAlbania
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...
many players left to continue their career abroad. In 1992 the football branch was separated from the main club and continued as KF Apolonia Fier under chairman Koço Kokëdhima. The club started its revival in 1997 after making some impressive appearances to end in the fifth place. The next season the club would finish in a disappointing seventh place but they managed to reach for the first and only time in their history the final of the Albanian Cup. The club would face in the final their arch-rivals KS Lushnja
KS Lushnja
Klubi Sportiv Lushnja is an Albanian football club based in Lushnjë. Their home ground is "Abdurrahman Roza Haxhiu Stadium" , named for Abdurrahman Roza Haxhiu....
. Apolonia managed to win the game with 1–0 and bring home the only cup. After some good years in the Albanian Superliga, the club got relegated in 2002–03. Apolonia stayed in the Second Division until their promotion in 2005–06 when they finished as runners-up. Romanian Silviu Dumitrescu, who has a lot of experience, was the new coach for the 2006–07 season. On 10 October 2006, Dumitrescu resigned and was replaced by Dhimitër Papuçiu. Even though he started with some good results the club couldn't manage to leave the last place of the table. Papuçiu was replaced by Andrea Marko at the start of 2007. But their Superliga season would be difficult and they would finish bottom of the table. In the next season after a hard-fought championship they managed to get promoted back to the Superliga. This season under manager Esad Karishik they have managed to establish themselves in the middle of the table.This year KS Apolonia has found a talented player whose name is Aldo Capo.
New stadium
The president of the Albanian Football Association, Armand DukaArmand Duka
Armand Duka is head of the Albanian Football Association. Duka, a businessman and graduate of economics from Tirana University, has been president of the FShF since 2002-References:...
announced on a visit to Fier
Fier
Fieri is a city in southwest Albania, in the district and county of the same name. It is located at , and has a population of 82,297 . Fier is from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia.-History :...
on 23 November 2010 that plans are under way to build a new stadium that will be shared by both Apolonia Fier and Flamurtari Vlorë. The stadium will seat between 15,000 and 20,000 people, making it the second biggest stadium in Albania behind the new under construction Qemal Stafa Stadium. The stadium will be located between the two neighbouring cities near the 'Vlorë Fier Bridge' and is due to be completed by 2013. The shareholders that have taken responsibility in building the new stadium are the Vlorë Council, Fier Council, Apolonia Fier, Flamurtari Vlorë and the Albanian Football Association, who have all promised to invest 20% of the costs each.
Rivalries
Apollonia's biggest rivals are KS LushnjaKS Lushnja
Klubi Sportiv Lushnja is an Albanian football club based in Lushnjë. Their home ground is "Abdurrahman Roza Haxhiu Stadium" , named for Abdurrahman Roza Haxhiu....
and the match between the two clubs is referred as "The Myzeqe Derby". The rivalry between the two clubs became more tense when in 1998 the two clus faced each other in the final of the Albanian Cup. Other rivals include Flamurtari
KS Flamurtari Vlorë
Klubi Sportiv Flamurtari Vlorë or KS Flamurtari Vlorë is an Albanian football club based in Vlorë, Albania. It plays in the Albanian Superliga, the top division in Albanian football. Their home ground is Stadiumi Flamurtari....
, KF Çlirimi
KF Çlirimi
KF Fieri is an Albanian football club. KF Fieri is currently in the Albanian Second Division.- Current squad :-External links:**...
second team of Fieri and KS Bylis Ballsh
KS Bylis Ballsh
Klubi Sportiv Bylis Ballsh is an Albanian association football club based in Ballsh city. Their home ground is "Agush Maca Stadium" ....
.
Colours and badge
The club's name comes from the nearby ancient city of ApolloniaApollonia, Illyria
Apollonia was an ancient Greek city in Illyria, located on the right bank of the Aous river . Its ruins are situated in the Fier region, near the village of Pojani, in modern-day Albania...
. In the badge are shown the antic ruins of the city in a red background. The club's traditional colours are white and green and this is the reason why they are usually referred to as "Bardhegjelberit" (English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
:"White and Green").
KS Apolonia in Europe
As of December 2008| Season | Competition | Round | Country | Club | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–90 | UEFA Cup UEFA Cup The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League... |
1R |  |
AJ Auxerre AJ Auxerre Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise is a French association football club based in the commune of Auxerre in Burgundy. The club was founded in 1905 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Auxerre plays its home matches at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps on the banks of the... |
0-3 | 0-5 |
| 1998–99 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup Winners' Cup The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but... |
QR |  |
KRC Genk | 1-5 | 0-4 |
- QR = Qualifying Round
- 1R = 1st Round