2009–10 Kategoria Superiore

The 2009–10 Kategoria Superiore was the 74th season of top-tier football in Albania and the twelfth season under the name Kategoria superiore. The season began on 23 August 2009 and ended on 19 May 2010. Tirana was the defending champions.

Kategoria Superiore

Season	2009–10
Dates	23 August 2009 – 19 May 2010
Champions	Dinamo 18th Albanian title
Relegated	Apolonia Gramozi
Champions League	Dinamo
Europa League	Laçi Tirana Besa
Matches played	198
Goals scored	448 (2.26 per match)
Top goalscorer	Daniel Xhafaj (18 goals)
Biggest home win	Dinamo 4–0 Gramozi Shkumbini 4–0 Dinamo
Biggest away win	Flamurtari 0–3 Dinamo Flamurtari 0–3 Teuta
Highest scoring	Besa 6–4 Gramozi
← 2008–09 2010–11 →

Team changes from last season

Lushnja and Elbasani were directly relegated to the Kategoria e Parë after finishing 11th and 12th in the previous year's standings. They were replaced by Kategoria e Parë champions Laçi and runners-up Skënderbeu.

9th placed Bylis and 10th placed Partizani had to compete in single-match relegation play-offs. Both teams were relegated in the process by losing against the third and fourth-placed teams from Kategoria e Parë, Kastrioti and Gramozi.

Teams

Stadia and last season

Apolonia

Besa

Dinamo

Flamurtari

Gramozi

Kastrioti

Laçi

Shkumbini

Skënderbeu

Teuta

Tirana

Vllaznia

Locations of the 2009–10 Kategoria Superiore teams

Team	Location	Stadium	Capacity	Last season
Apolonia	Fier	Loni Papuçiu Stadium	6,000	8th
Besa	Kavajë	Besa Stadium	6,000	7th
Dinamo	Tirana	Selman Stërmasi Stadium[note 1]	10,000	3rd
Flamurtari	Vlorë	Flamurtari Stadium	10,000	6th
Gramozi	Ersekë	Ersekë Stadium	7,000	Kategoria e Parë
Kastrioti	Krujë	Kastrioti Stadium	3,500	Kategoria e Parë
Laçi	Laç	Laçi Stadium	3,000	Kategoria e Parë
Shkumbini	Peqin	Shkumbini Stadium	4,000	5th
Skënderbeu	Korçë	Skënderbeu Stadium	7,000	Kategoria e Parë
Teuta	Durrës	Stadiumi Niko Dovana	10,000	4th
Tirana	Tirana	Selman Stërmasi Stadium	10,000	Champions
Vllaznia	Shkodër	Loro Boriçi Stadium	14,200	2nd

Personnel and sponsoring

Team	Head coach	Team captain	Kitmaker	Shirt sponsor
Apolonia	Hasan Lika	Mladen Brkić	Jako	Abissnet
Besa	Shpëtim Duro	Orges Shehi	Sportika	Banka Popullore
Dinamo Tirana	Shkëlqim Muça	Arjan Pisha	Sportika	Alpet
Flamurtari	Gugash Magani	Artan Sakaj	Sportika	IPBet
Gramozi	Agim Canaj	Hyserjon Shupe	Legea	Taçi Oil
Tirana	Alban Tafaj	Devis Mukaj	Lotto	Sigal
Kastrioti	Ramazan Ndreu	Ylli Shameti	Legea	Ardi-2M
Laçi	Stavri Nica	Julian Brahja	Sportika	Top Sport
Shkumbini	Përparim Daiu	Lorenc Pasha	Sportika	ALBA Konstruksion
Skënderbeu	Andrea Marko	Edi Çajku	Puma	Almeco
Teuta	Ylli Shehu	Vangjel Mile	Sportika	none
Vllaznia	Edi Martini	Armir Grima	Jako	Primo

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Dinamo Tirana (C)	33	19	4	10	56	42	+14	61	Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round
2	Besa	33	15	8	10	42	33	+9	53	Qualification for the Europa League second qualifying round[a]
3	Tirana	33	15	7	11	38	32	+6	52	Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round
4	Laçi	33	14	9	10	35	28	+7	51
5	Flamurtari	33	13	8	12	42	39	+3	47
6	Vllaznia	33	13	7	13	34	39	−5	46
7	Shkumbini	33	13	6	14	33	33	0	45[b]
8	Teuta	33	13	6	14	33	40	−7	45[b]
9	Kastrioti[c] (O)	33	13	6	14	33	35	−2	42[d]	Qualification for the relegation play-offs
10	Skënderbeu (O)	33	11	9	13	41	41	0	42[d]
11	Apolonia (R)	33	10	8	15	36	43	−7	38	Relegation to the 2010–11 Kategoria e Parë
12	Gramozi (R)	33	6	8	19	25	43	−18	26

Source: Albanian Football Association (in Albanian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) points in head-to-head matches; 3) goal difference in head-to-head matches; 4) goals scored in head-to-head matches; 5) total goal difference; 6) total goals scored; 7) draw
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:

1. Besa qualified for the Europa League second qualifying round by winning the 2009–10 Albanian Cup.
2. Shkumbini ahead of Teuta on head-to-head record; Shkumbini–Teuta 4–1, Teuta–Shkumbini 1–0, Shkumbini–Teuta 1–0.
3. Kastrioti were deducted three points because their players voluntarily left the pitch before the end of the match.^[1][2]
4. Kastrioti ahead of Skënderbeu on head-to-head record; Kastrioti–Skënderbeu 2–1, Skënderbeu–Kastrioti 0–1, Kastrioti–Skënderbeu 1–2.

Results

The schedule consists of three rounds. During the first two rounds, each team plays each other once home and away for a total of 22 matches. The pairings of the third round will then be set according to the standings after the first two rounds, giving every team a third game against each opponent for a total of 33 games per team.

First and second round Home \ Away APO BES DIN FLA GRA KAS LAÇ SKË SKU TEU TIR VLL Apolonia 0–2 3–0 1–1 3–0 2–3 2–0 1–1 1–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 Besa 0–0 0–1 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 Dinamo 3–2 1–0 1–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 3–0 2–1 1–0 2–1 4–2 Flamurtari 2–0 3–0 0–3 2–0 2–0[a] 0–0 1–1 1–1 0–3 0–2 2–0 Gramozi 1–0 0–0 0–1 2–0 0–0 1–2 2–0 0–0 2–0 0–1 1–1 Kastrioti 1–1 1–0 1–3 1–1 1–0 0–0 2–1 4–1 1–2 0–1 1–0 Laçi 3–2 0–0 0–1 3–2 1–1 1–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 1–0 3–1 Skënderbeu 2–3 0–2 1–0 4–1 1–1 0–1 4–3 1–0 3–0 1–1 1–1 Shkumbini 3–0 1–2 4–0 2–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–0 4–1 1–0 2–1 Teuta 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–0 2–0 2–1 2–1 2–0 1–0 0–1 1–0 Tirana 4–1 0–0 1–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 2–0 2–0 0–1 Vllaznia 1–0 2–3 0–0 2–2 1–0 1–0 1–2 3–2 2–0 2–1 0–1 Source: Albanian Football Association Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. Notes: The match was awarded to Flamurtari by 2–0 because Kastrioti's players walked off to protest a referee's decision.[1][2]

Third round Home \ Away APO BES DIN FLA GRA KAS LAÇ SKË SKU TEU TIR VLL Apolonia 2–1 2–1 0–0 1–2 0–1 Besa 2–0 1–2 6–4 1–2 2–0 1–1 Dinamo 4–3 1–0 1–1 2–4 1–2 1–2 Flamurtari 1–0 2–1 3–0 3–2 3–1 Gramozi 3–0 1–1 0–2 0–2[a] 1–2 Kastrioti 3–2 1–0 1–2 3–0 2–0 Laçi 2–0 0–1 3–1 1–0 1–0 0–0 Skënderbeu 1–1 4–3 0–1 3–1 2–2 Shkumbini 1–0 2–1 2–0 1–0 0–1 0–0 Teuta 1–1 3–2 3–1 0–2 0–0 0–0 Tirana 3–2 1–0 0–1 1–2 2–1 1–2 Vllaznia 2–0 1–1 1–0 0–2[b] 0–2 Source: Albanian Football Association Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. Notes: The match was awarded to Skënderbeu by 2–0 after the match was abandoned after 88 minutes at 1–1 due to a pitch invasion by Gramozi fans.[3] The match (original result 3–2 for Vllaznia) was awarded to Skënderbeu by 2–0 after Vllaznia fielded an ineligible player.[4]

Relegation playoffs

Kastrioti and Skënderbeu finished 9th and 10th, respectively, in the league competition and therefore had to participate in a relegation playoff to keep their spots in the league. Skënderbeu Korçë faced Kamza, who finished third in the First Division and Kastrioti Krujë faced Lushnja, who finished fourth in the First Division.

Skënderbeu	1–0	Kamza
Asllani 3'	Report

26 May 2010

16:30 CEST

Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium, Elbasan

Referee: Bardhyl Pashaj

---

Kastrioti	1–0	Lushnja
Abazaj 2'	Report

27 May 2010

16:30 CEST

Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana

Referee: Albano Janku

Top goalscorers

Source: Soccerway

Rank	Player	Club	Goals
1	Daniel Xhafaj	Besa	18
2	Elis Bakaj	Dinamo	16
3	Mladen Brkić	Apolonia	15
4	Fatjon Sefa	Dinamo	13
5	Marko dos Santos	Gramozi	11
6	Miliam Guerrib	Skënderbeu	10
	Arlind Nora	Laçi
8	Oriand Abazaj	Kastrioti	8
	Bekim Balaj	Vllaznia
	Ilirjan Çaushaj	Shkumbini
	Migen Memelli	Tirana/Flamurtari
	Gjergji Muzaka	Tirana

Season statistics

Scoring

• First goal of the season: Robert Alviž for Flamurtari Vlorë against KF Tirana, 11 minutes (23 August 2009).^[5]
• Fastest goal in a match: 1 minute – Daniel Xhafaj for Besa Kavajë against Vllaznia Shkodër (29 November 2009).^[6]
• Goal scored at the latest point in a match: 90+3 minutes
  • Ilir Nallbani for Vllaznia Shkodër against Apolonia Fier (30 August 2009).^[7]
  • Robert Grizhaj for Kastrioti Krujë against Apolonia Fier (7 November 2009).^[8]
  • Robert Alviž for Flamurtari Vlorë against Kastrioti Krujë (21 November 2009).^[9]
• First own goal of the season: Shpëtim Moçka (Flamurtari Vlorë) for Teuta Durrës, 24 minutes (19 September 2009).^[10]
• First penalty kick of the season: 37 minutes – Devis Mema for Flamurtari Vlorë against KF Tirana (23 August 2009).^[5]
• Widest winning margin: 4 goals
  • Dinamo Tirana 4-0 Gramozi Ersekë (31 October 2009).^[11]
  • Shkumbini Peqin 4-0 Dinamo Tirana (19 December 2009).^[12]

Championship-winning squad

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  ALB Elvis Kotorri 2 DF  ALB Elvis Sina 3 DF  SRB Danilo Nikolic 4 MF  ALB Asion Daja 5 DF  ALB Arjan Pisha (captain) 6 DF  ALB Julian Brahja 7 MF  ALB Nertil Ferraj 8 FW  BIH Nedim Halilović 10 MF  CRO Pëllumb Jusufi 11 FW  ALB Sebino Plaku 12 GK  ALB Alban Hoxha 13 MF  ALB Artion Poci (vice-captain) 14 MF  ALB Igli Allmuça 15 DF  ALB Roland Peqini 16 FW  ALB Fatjon Sefa 17 FW  ALB Rigels Nezaj 19 MF  ALB Elis Bakaj 20 DF  ALB Klevis Bejtja 21 MF  ALB Hetlem Capja

No. Pos. Nation Player 22 DF  CRO Goran Granić 23 DF  SEN Albaye Papa Diop 24 GK  ALB Sulejman Hoxha 25 FW  CRO Frane Petricevic 99 FW  ARG Rubén Cecco — GK  ARG Daniel Alejandro Bertoya — DF  ARG Alejandro Palladino — DF  ALB Eradi Mertiri — DF  CRO Dario Bodrušić — MF  ALB Julian Ahmataj — MF  ARG Agustín González Tapia — MF  ALB Ilirjan Çaushaj — MF  ALB Andi Hasa — MF  ALB Klodian Sulollari — FW  ALB Gers Delia — FW  ARG Mario Antonio Romero — FW  ARG Cristian Andres Campozano — FW  ALB Rigels Nezaj

Notes

1. Dinamo and Tirana all shared the Selman Stërmasi Stadium as well as the Qemal Stafa Stadium.

References

1. "Java 22, Flamurtari – Kastrioti 1-1" (in Albanian). Albania-Sport.com. 21 February 2010. Archived from the original on 25 February 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
2. Kastrioti humbet në tavolinë me Flamurtarin Archived 2012-02-25 at the Wayback Machine (in Albanian)
3. Komisioni i Disiplines: Vendimet Archived 2010-04-07 at the Wayback Machine (in Albanian)
4. "Disiplina, Skënderbeu fiton me Vllazninë" (in Albanian). albania-sport.com. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
5. "Tirana 1-3 Flamurtari". Footballdatabase. Footballdatabase.eu. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
6. "Vllaznia 2-3 Besa". Footballdatabase. Footballdatabase.eu. 29 November 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
7. "Vllaznia 1-0 Apolonia". Footballdatabase. Footballdatabase.eu. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
8. "Apolonia 2-3 Kastrioti". Footballdatabase. Footballdatabase.eu. 7 November 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
9. "Kastrioti 1-1 Flamurtari". Soccerway. Soccerway.com. 21 November 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
10. "Flamurtari 0-3 Teuta". Footalldatabase. Footalldatabase.eu. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
11. "Dinamo 4-0 Gramozi Ersekë". Soccerway. Soccerway.com. 31 October 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
12. "Shkumbini 4-0 Dinamo". Soccerway. Soccerway.com. 19 December 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.

External links

• Official website (in Albanian)