Wikipedia

Kosovo national under-21 football team

The Kosovo national under-21 football team (Albanian: Kombëtarja e futbollit të Kosovës nën 21 vjeç; Serbian: Фудбалска репрезентација Косова до 21. године, romanized: Fudbalska reprezentacija Kosova do 21. godine) is the national under-21 football team of Kosovo and is controlled by the Football Federation of Kosovo. The team is considered to be the feeder team for the Kosovo national team.

Kosovo Under-21
Nickname(s)Dardanët (Dardanians)
AssociationFederata e Futbollit e Kosovës (FFK)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachAfrim Tovërlani
CaptainRotation
Most capsArdit Tahiri
Valon Zumberi (18)
Top scorerArdit Tahiri
Florent Hasani (3)
Home stadiumFadil Vokrri Stadium
FIFA codeKOS[1]
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
First international
 Ghana 2–2 Kosovo 
(Le Bouveret, Switzerland; 12 June 2013)
Biggest win
 Andorra 0–4 Kosovo 
(Andorra la Vella, Andorra; 6 June 2019)
Biggest defeat
 Egypt 8–0 Kosovo 
(Le Bouveret, Switzerland; 15 June 2013)

History

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Permitting by FIFA to play friendlies

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On 6 February 2013, FIFA gave the permission to play international friendly games against other member associations.[2] Whereas, on 13 January 2014, there was a change of this permit that forbade Kosovo to play against the national teams of the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Club teams were also allowed to play friendlies and this happened after a FIFA Emergency Committee meeting. However, it was stipulated that clubs and representative teams of the Football Federation of Kosovo may not display national symbols as flags, emblems, etc. or play national anthems. The go-ahead was given after meetings between the Football Association of Serbia and Sepp Blatter.

Membership in UEFA and FIFA

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See also: Membership of Kosovo in international sports federations

In September 2015 at an UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Malta was approved the request from the federation to the admission in UEFA to the next Ordinary Congress to be held in Budapest.[3] On 3 May 2016, at the Ordinary Congress. Kosovo were accepted into UEFA after members voted 28–24 in favor of Kosovo.[4][5] Ten days later, Kosovo was accepted in FIFA during their 66th congress in Mexico with 141 votes in favour and 23 against.[6]

2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifications

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On 26 January 2017, in Nyon, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group 5 of the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification, together with Azerbaijan, Germany, Israel, Norway and Republic of Ireland.[7] On 25 March 2017, Kosovo made his debut on UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifications with a 1–0 away defeat in against Republic of Ireland.[8] On 29 July 2017, UEFA confirmed that the match in which Kosovo had lost with a deep score 0–5 against Norway was given as a 3–0 victory for Kosovo, this happened after in that match for Norway had played Kristoffer Ajer who was suspended.[9] This match for Kosovo was the first victory in a qualifying match for a major tournament. Kosovo would secure another dramatic win against Norway at home with 3–2 by two goals from Enis Bytyqi and one from Florent Hasani, that was Kosovo's first home win in their history at this competition.[10]

2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifications

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On 11 December 2018, in Nyon, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group 3 of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification, together with Albania, Andorra, Austria, England and Turkey.[11] Before the start of this qualifying cycle, Kosovo in March 2019 played two friendly matches in Antalya with Turkmenistan which won with a narrow score of 3–2,[12] and with Malta which won with a minimum score of 1–0,[13] in the composition of Kosovo was the players who would potentially be part of the national team during the qualifying cycle. On 6 June 2019, Kosovo started the qualifying cycle against Andorra which they defeated with a deep score 4–0 and this match is their best result yet.[14] Kosovo would follow this great result after beating Turkey at home with 3-1 showing a great display. Also leading the qualifying table, for the first time in their history.[15] Success wouldn't follow as Kosovo than lost a string of five matches in the process in which they only scored two goals.[16] Against Albania losing away with 2-1 in Elbasan.[17] Kosovo would secure their third win against Andorra at home with a close 1-0 win. Their last match ended in a devastating loss against Turkey in Istanbul with 3-0 their seventh loss in total. Kosovo finished their Qualifying in 5th place with nine points, only above Andorra, but trailing behind Turkey, Albania, Austria and Group winners England.[18]

Competitive record

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UEFA European Under-21 Championship

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On 26 January 2017, in Nyon, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group 5 of the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification, together with Azerbaijan, Germany, Israel, Norway and Republic of Ireland.[19] On 25 March 2017, Kosovo made his debut on UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifications with a 1–0 away defeat in against Republic of Ireland.[20]

UEFA European Under-21 Championship record Qualification record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1978 to 1992 Part of   Yugoslavia
  1994 to   2006 Part of   Serbia and Montenegro
  2007 Part of   Serbia
  2009 to   2015 Not a UEFA member
  2017 Could not enter
   2019 did not qualify 5th 10 3 3 4 9 12
   2021 5th 10 3 0 7 9 20
   2023 4th 10 3 3 4 8 13
Total — 0/23 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 2/15 29 9 6 15 33 57

Non-FIFA Tournament

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Kosovo U21 has so far only participated in one international tournament in Valais Youth Cup, a two-day international football tournament. In which they finished in fourth place. Their first match was against Ghana in which they lost.

Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad
  2013 Fourth place 4th 2 0 1 1 2 10 Squad
Total — 1/1 2 0 1 1 2 10 —

Fixtures and results

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For all past match results of the national team, see Kosovo national under-21 football team results.

2024

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22 March UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Germany   0–0   Kosovo Chemnitz, Germany
18:00 Report Stadium: Stadion an der Gellertstraße
Attendance: 6,899
Referee: Daniele Chiffi (Italy)
10 September UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Israel   0–1   Kosovo Győr, Hungary
19:00 Report Avdyli   11' Stadium: Ménfői úti Stadion
Referee: Menelaos Antoniou (Cyprus)
11 October UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Kosovo   0–4   Poland Pristina, Kosovo
19:00 Report
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Referee: Ladislav Szikszay (Czech Republic)
15 October UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Estonia   3–1   Kosovo Tallinn, Estonia
17:00
Report Avdyli   77' Stadium: Kadriorg Stadium
Referee: Jason Barcelo (Gibraltar)
14 November Friendly North Macedonia   1–3   Kosovo Skopje, North Macedonia
13:00 Velichkovski   18' Report Fazlija   29'
Krasniqi   62'
Kuqanaj   87'		 Stadium: Petar Miloševski Training Centre
17 November Friendly North Macedonia   0–1   Kosovo Skopje, North Macedonia
12:00 Report Bitiqi   40' Stadium: Petar Miloševski Training Centre

Players

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Current squad

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No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Erion Avdija (2005-03-13) 13 March 2005 (age 19) 2 0   1860 Munich
1GK Art Miftari (2005-01-10) 10 January 2005 (age 19) 1 0   Ballkani
1GK Art Hoti (2004-06-09) 9 June 2004 (age 20) 0 0   Vëllaznimi
2DF Dion Gallapeni (2004-12-22) 22 December 2004 (age 20) 3 0   Prishtina
2DF Aurel Kuqanaj (2004-10-31) 31 October 2004 (age 20) 2 1   FC Ingolstadt II
2DF Ledjan Sahitaj (2004-01-12) 12 January 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Winterthur U21
2DF Lendrit Shala (2004-05-04) 4 May 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Lugano II
2DF Fuad Ajvazi (2004-08-24) 24 August 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Suhareka
2DF Arbnor Gecaj (2005-02-14) 14 February 2005 (age 19) 2 0   Lugano II
2DF Leon Zeqiraj (2005-07-02) 2 July 2005 (age 19) 2 0   Sampdoria U20
2DF Julind Selmonaj (2004-11-05) 5 November 2004 (age 20) 1 0   Basel U21
2DF Merlind Kodra (2005-06-06) 6 June 2005 (age 19) 1 0   Ballkani
3MF Etnik Brruti (captain) (2004-03-04) 4 March 2004 (age 20) 8 0   Malisheva
3MF Arjanit Fazlija (2005-02-05) 5 February 2005 (age 19) 2 1   Greuther Fürth II
3MF Dritan Maqkaj (2004-01-06) 6 January 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Eintracht Frankfurt II
3MF Laurent Xhylani (2004-09-23) 23 September 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Malisheva
3MF Diamant Lokaj (2005-01-24) 24 January 2005 (age 19) 2 0   SV Sandhausen
3MF Leon Frokaj (2005-04-23) 23 April 2005 (age 19) 2 0   Basel U21
3MF Elion Jashari (2005-08-09) 9 August 2005 (age 19) 2 0   Basel U21
3MF Valentin Hoti (2004-02-16) 16 February 2004 (age 20) 1 0   FC Ingolstadt II
4FW Igball Jashari (2005-07-14) 14 July 2005 (age 19) 3 0   Prishtina
4FW Ermal Krasniqi (2005-06-16) 16 June 2005 (age 19) 2 1   Sturm Graz II
4FW Aulon Bitiqi (2004-01-27) 27 January 2004 (age 20) 2 1   Varbergs BoIS
4FW Kevin Krasniqi (2005-07-20) 20 July 2005 (age 19) 2 0   Thun U21
4FW Hekuran Berisha (2005-10-03) 3 October 2005 (age 19) 1 0   Dukagjini

Recent call-ups

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The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Mustafë Abdullahu (2004-02-27) 27 February 2004 (age 20) 4 0   Malisheva v.   North Macedonia, 14 November 2024A
GK Altin Gjokaj (2005-11-11) 11 November 2005 (age 19) 4 0   Prishtina v.   Germany, 22 March 2024INJ
DF Diar Vokrri (2004-06-27) 27 June 2004 (age 20) 1 0   Llapi v.   Estonia, 15 October 2024INJ
DF Valton Behrami (2004-03-16) 16 March 2004 (age 20) 3 0   Delémont v.   Israel, 10 September 2024
MF Elvir Gashijan (2006-08-05) 5 August 2006 (age 18) 2 0   Llapi v.   Estonia, 15 October 2024U19
Notes
  • A / U19 = Was called up from national senior or U19 squad.
  • INJ = The player is not part of the current squad due to injury.

Coaching staff

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Position Name
Head coach   Afrim Tovërlani
Assistant coach   Genc Hoxha
  Liridon Kuka
Goalkeeping coach   Valmir Bytyqi
Team manager   Zgjim Sojeva

Head-to-head records against other countries

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As of 11 June 2019
Head-to-head records are included only matches as FIFA member.
Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
  Andorra 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 100.00
  Azerbaijan 2 1 1 0 2 0 +2 050.00
  Germany 2 0 1 1 0 1 −1 000.00
  England 2 0 0 2 0 8 −8 000.00
  Israel 2 0 0 2 0 7 −7 000.00
  Malta 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100.00
  Norway 2 2 0 0 6 2 +4 100.00
  Republic of Ireland 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 000.00
  Turkey 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 100.00
  Turkmenistan 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 100.00
10 Countries 15 7 3 5 20 23 −3 046.67

See also

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Men's
Women's

Notes and references

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "Football Federation of Kosovo". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
  2. ^ "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2019.
  3. ^ "UEFA shqyrton në mars të vitit të ardhshëm anëtarësimin e Kosovës" [UEFA reviews in March next year Kosovo's membership] (in Albanian). Voice of America. 19 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA". UEFA. 3 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote". The Guardian. 3 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Zyrtare: Kosova pranohet në FIFA, jemi të barabartë me të gjitha vendet e botës" [Official: Kosovo is admitted to FIFA, we are equal to all countries in the world] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 13 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Kosova U21 në grup me Gjermaninë, ja orari i ndeshjeve" [Kosovo U21 in group with Germany and the match schedules] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 26 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018. Kosova u përfshi në Grupin 5, me kundërshtarë shumë të fortë si Gjermania, Izraeli, Norvegjia, Irlanda dhe Azerbajxhani
  8. ^ "Kosova U21 e pafat kundër Irlandës, humb me rezultat të ngushtë" [Kosovo U21 unlucky against Ireland, loses with a close result] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 25 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  9. ^ "UEFA e konfirmon: Kosova fiton tri pikë në tavolinë kundër Norvegjisë" [UEFA confirms: Kosovo wins three points on table against Norway] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 29 July 2017.
  10. ^ "Fitore historike e Kosovës U21, e përmbys Norvegjinë në "Adem Jashari"" [Historic victory of Kosovo U21, overthrowing Norway in "Adem Jashari"] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 1 September 2017.
  11. ^ "Kosova U21 në grup me Shqipërinë dhe Anglinë" [Kosovo U21 in a group with Albania and England] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 11 December 2018.
  12. ^ "Kombëtarja U21 shënoi fitore në miqësoren kundër Turkmenistanit" [The national U21 team scored a victory in the friendly against Turkmenistan] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 24 March 2019.
  13. ^ "Kombëtarja U21 fiton edhe në miqësoren kundër Maltës" [The national U21 team also wins in the friendly against Malta] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 26 March 2019.
  14. ^ "Kosova U21 shkëlqen kundër Andorrës, fiton 4:0" [Kosovo U21 shines against Andorra, wins 4:0] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 6 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Kosova U21 fiton dhe merr kreun, në 'Fadil Vokrri' dorëzohet edhe Turqia". 11 June 2019.
  16. ^ "Me në fund, Kosova U21 fiton pas disa humbjeve radhazi".
  17. ^ "Albania-Kosovo | Under-21 2021".
  18. ^ "Kosova U21 i përfundon me humbje kualifikimet për Euro 2021 - Gazeta Express". 17 November 2020.
  19. ^ "Kosova U21 në grup me Gjermaninë, ja orari i ndeshjeve" [Kosovo U21 in group with Germany and the match schedules] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 26 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018. Kosova u përfshi në Grupin 5, me kundërshtarë shumë të fortë si Gjermania, Izraeli, Norvegjia, Irlanda dhe Azerbajxhani
  20. ^ "Kosova U21 e pafat kundër Irlandës, humb me rezultat të ngushtë" [Kosovo U21 unlucky against Ireland, loses with a close result] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 25 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  21. ^ "Tovërlani publikon listën e futbollistëve për dy miqësoret me Maqedoninë e Veriut" [Tovërlani publishes the list of footballers for the two friendlies with North Macedonia] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 9 November 2024.
  22. ^ "U21: Another loss against Kosovo". MacedonianFootball. 17 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
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