Season review: Albania
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Article summary
FK Kukësi's Pero Pejić scored more than twice as many goals as anyone else and Arbnor Fejzullahu shone for FK Partizani, but 2014/15 was all about KF Skënderbeu.
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Champions: KF Skënderbeu
"It was the best season," said Skënderbeu president Ardian Takaj. "We had the best group of players this year compared to all the previous titles we've won. This year everyone had the heart of champions and that was very important to our success." The Korce club's fifth successive Albanian Super League title was sealed with a game to spare and they were unbeaten at home all season, winning 15 and drawing three.
Cup final: KF Laçi 2-1 FK Kukësi
Laç won the Albanian Cup for the second time in three years after beating the side that finished three places above them in the league. Coach Armando Cungu's knowledge of their final opponents perhaps proved crucial as he led Kukës in 2012/13 – though the 42-year-old admitted it was "tough coaching against my former team". Segun Adeniyi scored the winner, the Nigerian midfielder helping himself to his 16th goal of the season.
European places*
KF Skënderbeu – UEFA Champions League second qualifying round
FK Kukësi – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
FK Partizani – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
KF Laçi – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
*subject to final confirmation from UEFA
Player of the year: Pero Pejić (FK Kukësi)
The Croatian was top scorer for the second season running, eclipsing his 2013/14 haul of 20 goals for Skënderbeu with 31 in 34 games for Kukës – his closest rival struck 14. The towering 32-year-old is the highest scoring foreign player in Albanian top-flight history.
One to watch: Arbnor Fejzullahu (FK Partizani)
The 22-year-old Fejzullahu started all but one game in his first season with Partizani. A quality defender perfectly at home with the ball at his feet, he helped the club to third in the league, sealing a return to UEFA competition. He ended the season with his first senior international call-up.
Leading scorer: Pero Pejić (FK Kukësi) – 31 goals
Relegated: KF Elbasani, KF Apolonia
Promoted: KF Bylis Ballsh, KF Tërbuni Pukë