The Abissnet Superiore Football Tournament is one of the top football tournaments in Albania, attracting the attention of many football fans around the world. With exciting matches and fierce competition, the Abissnet Superiore football tournament has become a playground for famous football stars and a place for clubs to show their strength. In this article, SEAGames PH 2019 will learn about this tournament, from its history to its format and participating teams.
What is the Abissnet Superiore Football League?
The Abissnet Superiore Football Tournament is the top football tournament in Albania, organized by the Albanian Football Federation (Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit). Founded in 1930, this tournament has gone through many ups and downs and has grown strongly in recent years. The name Abissnet Superiore comes from the name of the main sponsor, telecommunications company Abissnet.
With fierce competition and high quality arenas, the Abissnet Superiore football tournament has attracted the attention of many football fans around the world. Many famous players from different countries had the opportunity to play in this tournament, and the tournament also contributed a lot to the development of Albanian football.
History of formation and development of the Abissnet Superiore football tournament
The Abissnet Superiore Football League was founded in 1930 with the original name Albanian Football League (Kampionati Shqiptar i Futbollit). In its early years, the tournament only involved clubs from Tirana and Vlorë. However, since 1937, the league expanded to include clubs from other cities such as Shkodër, Korçë and Durrës.
During the years 1945-1991, the Albanian football league was called the Football League of the People’s Republic of Albania (Kampionati i Republikës Popullore të Shqipërisë) and only had the participation of clubs belonging to the state-owned sports system. However, after Albania escaped communism, the tournament was renamed the Superiore Football League (Kategoria Superiore) and expanded to include clubs from the private sports system.
Since 2003, the tournament was renamed Albanian National Championship and became the official tournament of Albanian football. In recent years, the tournament has grown dramatically with the investment of sponsoring companies and the interest of fans.
Format of the Abissnet Superiore football tournament
The current Abissnet Superiore football tournament has the participation of 10 clubs, including famous teams such as KF Tirana, Partizani Tirana and Skënderbeu Korçë. The tournament takes place from August to May next year, with a total of 36 rounds.
Clubs will play each other over two legs, home and away, scoring on a points system of three points for each win, one point for each draw and no points for losses. The team at the top of the rankings after 36 rounds will become the champion of the tournament.
Abissnet Superiore football tournament schedule
The schedule of the Albanian National Championship football tournament is usually announced at the end of the summer, before the tournament starts in August. However, due to the COVID-19 epidemic situation, the tournament schedule may change to ensure Safe for players and fans.
Usually, the tournament will take place on weekends, with matches allocated to different time frames to attract fans’ interest. The final match of the tournament usually takes place the following May, when the champion is determined.
Abissnet Superiore football league rankings
The standings are one of the most important elements of the Abissnet Superiore football league, it shows the competition and achievements of each club throughout the season. Clubs’ scores will be based on their performance, with three points for each win, one point for each draw and no points for losses.
Clubs participating in the Abissnet Superiore football tournament
As mentioned above, the current Abissnet Superiore football tournament has the participation of 10 clubs. Below is a list of these clubs and their performance in the tournament:
KF Tirana
- KF Tirana is one of the most successful clubs in the history of the Abissnet Superiore football league. Founded in 1920, the club has won 25 national championships and 16 national cups. In addition, KF Tirana also participated in the Champions League and Europa League.
Partizani Tirana
- Partizani Tirana is also an old and successful club in the Abissnet Superiore football league. Founded in 1946, the club has won 15 national championships and 16 national cups. In addition, Partizani Tirana also participated in the Europa League.
Kukësi
- Kukësi is a young and emerging club in the Albanian National Championship football league. Founded in 1930, the club has won 2 national championships and 1 national cup. In addition, Kukësi also participated in the Europa League.
Teuta Durrës
- Teuta Durrës is a successful club in the Abissnet Superiore football league. Founded in 1925, the club has won 2 national championships and 3 national cups. In addition, Teuta Durrës also participated in the Europa League.
Vllaznia Shkoder
- Vllaznia Shkodër is a club with a long history in the Albanian National Championship football league. Founded in 1919, the club has won 4 national championships and 7 national cups. In addition, Vllaznia Shkodër also participated in the Europa League.
Skënderbeu Korçë
- Skënderbeu Korçë is a successful club in the Abissnet Superiore football league. Founded in 1909, the club has won eight national championships and six national cups. In addition, Skënderbeu Korçë also participated in the Europa League.
Laçi
- Laçi is a young and emerging club in the Abissnet Superiore football league. Founded in 1960, the club has not had many significant achievements in this tournament. However, Laçi has participated in the Europa League.
Bylis Ballsh
- Bylis Ballsh is a new club founded in 1972 and has participated in the Albanian National Championship football tournament since 2019. Currently, the club does not have many significant achievements in this tournament.
Apollonian Fier
- Apolonia Fier is also a new club founded in 1925 and has participated in the Abissnet Superiore football tournament since 1991. Currently, the club does not have many significant achievements in this tournament.
Kastrioti Krujë
- Kastrioti Krujë is a new club founded in 1926 and participating in the Abissnet Superiore football tournament from 2020. Currently, the club does not have many significant achievements in this tournament.
Flamurtari Vlorë
- Flamurtari Vlorë is a club with a long history in the Albanian National Championship football league. Founded in 1923, the club has won 1 national championship and 2 national cups. In addition, Flamurtari Vlorë also participated in the Europa League.
Lushnja
- Lushnja is a new club founded in 1930 and has participated in the Albanian National Championship football tournament since 1991. Currently, the club does not have many significant achievements in this tournament.
Famous players who participated in the Abissnet Superiore football tournament
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The Abissnet Superiore football tournament has witnessed the participation of many famous players in the history of Albanian football. Here are some notable names:
Lorik Cana: Former captain of the Albanian team and the player with the most appearances in the history of the Albanian National Championship football tournament.
Altin Lala: Former captain of the Albanian team and the player with the second most appearances in the history of the Abissnet Superiore football tournament.
Erjon Bogdani: Former striker of the Albanian team and the highest scorer in the history of the Albanian National Championship football tournament.
Alban Bushi: Former midfielder of the Albanian team and the player with the third most appearances in the history of the Abissnet Superiore football tournament.
Ansi Agolli: Former captain of the Albanian team and the player with the fourth most appearances in the history of the Abissnet Superiore football tournament.
Memorable matches in the history of the Abissnet Superiore football tournament
The Abissnet Superiore football tournament has witnessed many exciting and dramatic matches in history. Here are some memorable matches:
The 2018 final between KF Tirana and Partizani Tirana, with KF Tirana winning after a tense penalty shootout.
The Tirana city derby between KF Tirana and Partizani Tirana is always the most anticipated match of every season.
The Shkodër city derby between Vllaznia Shkodër and Teuta Durrës was also a dramatic match with many conflicts between these two teams.
Korçë city derby between Skënderbeu Korçë and KF Tirana, when these two teams always compete with each other in the championship race.
The Vlorë city derby between Flamurtari Vlorë and Teuta Durrës is also a highly competitive match between these two teams.
Abissnet Superiore Football Tournament and contributions to world football
The Abissnet Superiore football tournament is not only an important tournament within Albania, but also makes significant contributions to world football. This is a place for young Albanian players to have the opportunity to develop and prove their talent against bigger clubs. In addition, the tournament also helps raise the level and quality of Albanian football, thereby improving the national team’s position in the region and the world.
Conclude
From the above information, it can be seen that the Abissnet Superiore football tournament is an important tournament and has the participation of many long-standing and successful clubs in Albanian football history. In addition, the tournament also has famous players and memorable matches, and has made significant contributions to world football. Hopefully the Abissnet Superiore football tournament will grow and bring more joy to Albanian football fans.