FC Drita: The Kosovans on the brink of history

"To be completely honest, we never thought we would get eight points after our first four games – I didn’t, nor did the players."

FC Drita head coach Zekirija Ramadani was aware of the challenge his side faced ahead of this season’s UEFA Conference League, having become just the second Kosovan club to reach the league phase or group stage of a major UEFA competition.

But an impressive run of two draws and two victories has earned them a place in the play-off round, meaning they are within two games of continuing their run in the competition into the knockout stages.

FC Drita successfully qualified for the UEFA Conference League knockout play-off roundUEFA via Getty Images

Despite the expectations, there was no suggestion that Drita would let themselves be burdened by the weight of history.

"I can even speak for our owners – they didn’t expect it either. But we worked tirelessly," added Ramadani. "I’m convinced that success doesn’t just come like that; it needs to be deserved, and I’m convinced that we’ve deserved this success."

'It’s a dream to be part of a European tournament'

Standing between Drita and the knockout stages are Slovenian side Celje. If Ramadani’s team were to beat their opponents over two legs, they would become the first-ever club from Kosovo to reach the knockout stages of a UEFA men’s club competition.

Ahead of the first leg, to be played on 19 February, belief that they can achieve that breakthrough is high: "We have the quality and the will to go through the play-offs," said captain Rron Broja, who has been inspired by the chance to compete on the European stage.

"Being part of the Conference League means a lot, to the team and to Drita’s fans," added Broja. "For a footballer born and raised in Kosovo, it has always been a dream to be part of a European tournament and I think this is one of my biggest achievements."

National pride

Reaching the Conference League knockout stages would represent a milestone not just for the club, but for the whole of Kosovan football.

Kosovo are one of the 52 of our 55 national associations that have been represented in the league phase or group stage of our men’s club competitions – but in a country with a difficult past, there’s a different level of significance when a team achieves on the continental stage.

FC Drita players celebrate a goal in the UEFA Conference LeagueUEFA via Getty Images

Regardless of the result against Celje, there’s plenty to celebrate in Drita’s success. "We’ve made the whole of Kosovo proud, and it is a big responsibility to wear this shirt," admits Broja.

Goalkeeper Faton Maloku agrees: "Qualifying for Europe is very, very important for us as a nation – not just as a club," he said. "We have a deep history, which has included some very difficult times. All of this is like a reward for the sacrifices of the people who went through those events."