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KB Trepça

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KB Trepça
{{{name}}} logo
NicknameXehëtarët, Minatorët (The Miners)
LeaguesKosovo Superleague
Kosovo Cup
Liga Unike
Founded1947; 77 years ago (1947)
HistoryKB Trepça
1947–present
ArenaSalla e sporteve Minatori
Capacity3,500
LocationMitrovicë, Kosovo
Team colorsGreen, Black
   
PresidentVullnet Sefaja
Head coachAdis Bećiragić
Team captainAnes Gashi
Championships5 National Leagues
7 National Cups
3 National Supercups
1 Liga Unike
WebsiteOfficial website

Klubi i Basketbollit Trepça is a professional basketball club based in Mitrovica, Kosovo. The club competes domestically in the Kosovo Basketball Superleague and Kosovo Cup and internationally in the Fiba Europe Cup. Trepça is one of the most successful clubs in Kosovo, Trepça has won 5 National Championships, 7 Kosovo Basketball Cups, 3 Kosovo Supercups, 1 Liga Unike and 1 Liga Unike Supercup.

History

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Early years and successes in Yugoslavia (1940–1992)

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The origins of Trepça can be traced back to the 1940s when basketball started gaining popularity in Mitrovica. However, it wasn't until 1947 that the club was officially established.[1] Initially, KB Trepça competed in local leagues and tournaments, gradually developing its reputation as a competitive team.

In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Trepça experienced its golden era. The club achieved numerous successes. Trepça won several regional titles and made their debut in the First B Federal Basketball League, the country's second-tier basketball competition, in the 1980's.[2][3] The team consistently performed well and became known for its strong roster of talented players like Ferit Zekolli, Blerim Vuniqi, Vesko Pajović, Naim Hajrizi, Nusret Qubreli or George Dikeoulakos, and skilled coaching staff. In 1982–83, Trepça reached the eightfinals of the Yugoslav Basketball Cup but lost against Borac Çaçak 85–91. In 1988–1989, Trepça once again reached the eightfinals but lost against Red Star Belgrade.[4]

Following the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s and the subsequent conflicts in the Balkans, Kosovo went through a turbulent period. KB Trepça, like many other institutions in the region, faced significant challenges and disruptions. The club's activities were severely impacted, and it took several years for basketball to regain stability in Kosovo.

Establishment of the Kosovo Basketball Federation (1992–1999)

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With the establishment of the Kosovo Basketball Federation in 1992, KB Trepça started competing in the Kosovo Basketball Superleague. KB Trepça won their first league title in the 1992/1993 season against KB Peja.[5] The following year, Trepça reached the final once again but lost against Peja.

Years of dominance (1999–2002)

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Trepça won the Kosovo Basketball Superleague in 2000 and 2001.[6] Furthermore, Trepça won the Kosovo Cup in 1999. The coach was Ahmet Behrami and notable players during this period were Ilir Selmani, Naim Hajrizi, Brahim Veseli, Artan Mehmeti, Eroll Pepiqi, Besim Braha, Fikret Hanxhiq, Edmond Raqa and many others.[7] In the 2002 season Trepça lost the final against KB Prishtina.

New successes and rivalries (2002–2012)

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Trepça continued to be one of the dominant forces in Kosovan basketball by always reaching the play-offs and by winning the Kosovo Cup in 2004 with notable players like Igor Miličić, Haashim Simmons, Ylber Jusufi, Besim Braha, Fikret Hanxhiq, Ilir Selmani, Naim Haxha, Brahim Veseli etc. Trepça lost the finals in 2007 and 2010 against KB Prishtina. The 2010–11 season was a special season for Trepça where they played two local derbies against KB Mitrovica and KB Bambi who both were from Mitrovica.[8] The following season Trepça won the Superleague 3-2 against Prishtina in the finals. In addition to that Trepça won the Kosovo Cup the same year. The roster was made by players like Jaleel Nelson, Drilon Hajrizi, Gazmend Asllani, Besnik Azemi, Fikret Hanxhiq, Arian Tahiri, Valdrin Haxhiu, Imer Tahiri, Emir Zimic and Luard Halili.[9] Drilon Hajrizi became the MVP of 2011–12 Superleague season.[10] During this period and especially after the 2012 finals the rivalry with Prishtina intensified.

Trepça's debut in a European competition and struggle for the play-offs in the Superleague (2012–2019)

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From 2012 to 2019 Trepça constantly placed 4th or 5th fighting for the play-offs in the Superleague. In 2014, 2016 and 2017 they reached the semi-finals but did not manage to go further. In 2016, Trepça made their debut in the Balkan International Basketball League where they won against Karpoš Sokoli, Feni Industries and Sutjeska.[11] Nevertheless, they finished 5th not making into the play-offs.

Downfall and revival (2019–2023)

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In the 2019-20 Superleague season Trepça almost relegated after finishing 7th for the first time in their history.[12] Trepça won against AS Prishtina in the play-out. The following season Trepça once again placed 7th. This time they faced Istogu in the play-out winning 193-155 in aggregate.[13] Notable players were Drilon Hajrizi, Burim Zekiqi, Dino Butorac, Valdrin Haxhiu and Stavros Toutziarakis. Trepça started a reorganization in 2021 by signing several players like Andrew Gordon, Samir Zekiqi and Amin Hot. The new coach was Lumbomir Minchev.[14] Trepça won the Kosovo Cup in 2022 after one decade by beating KB Bashkimi 76-62 in the final.[15] On 3 March 2022 they signed former NBA-player Rodney Purvis who later became a key player. Trepça reached the final in the 2021-22 Superleague season but failed to win against Ylli.

KB Trepça in Mitrovicë celebrating the Liga Unike Supercup (2022)

In 2022–23, Trepça had a turbulent season and finished only fourth in the regular season but managed to win the Kosovo Cup once again and secured another runners-up in the Superleague.

(2023–present)

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In 2023, Adis Bećiragić was appointed as the head coach. Trepça qualified for the first time for the FIBA Europe Cup regular season.[16][1] In the group stages they faced ZZ Leiden and BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque but were not able to advance further. In the 2023–24 season, Trepça was unstoppable. Trepça won all domestic and regional trophies including the Liga Unike for the first time and the Superleague after more than a decade. Players like Kevin Bracy-Davis, Drilon Hajrizi, Jordy Tshimanga etc. and especially Darnell Edge, the M.V.P. of 2024 Liga Unike and 2024 Kosovo Superleague,[17] contributed to this huge success.

Supporters & Rivalries

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The main supporters of Trepça are Torcida Mitrovicë. Founded in 1984, they are the oldest ethnic Albanian ultras.[18]

Sigal Prishtina

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One of the most notable rivalries for Trepça is with Sigal Prishtina, another basketball club from Kosovo. Matches between Trepça and Sigal Prishtina often generate a lot of excitement and anticipation among fans. These two teams have a long-standing rivalry, and their matches are highly competitive and intense. The rivalry was the reason for several incidents between Trepça's supporters' group Torcida 1984 and Prishtina's supporters' group Plisat including violence and hooliganism.[19][20]

KB Peja

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Another significant rivalry for Trepça is with KB Peja, another prominent basketball club from Kosovo. Matches between Trepça and Peja have historically been fierce and have attracted a lot of attention from fans. Both teams have had successful seasons and have often been in direct competition for titles and championships.

Arena

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KB Trepça vs. KB Peja, Kosovo Basketball Superleague regular season game in 2011.

The club plays in the sport center Salla e sporteve Minatori, in the center of Mitrovica, with a capacity for around 3,500 spectators.[21] The average attendance was 3,400 during the playoff of the 2022–23 Kosovo Basketball Superleague being the highest average attendance in the Kosovo Basketball Superleague.[22]

European record

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Season Competition Round Club Home Away
2022–23 FIBA Europe Cup
Qualifying round
 Germany BG Göttingen 62–76
2023–24 FIBA Europe Cup Qualifying round Iceland Tindastóll 77–69
Estonia Pärnu Sadam 77–67
Regular season Netherlands Leiden 54–84 76–80
France Gravelines-Dunkerque 76–68 49–83
2024–25 Champions League
Qualifying round
 Cyprus Keravnos 82–79
Czech Republic Nymburk 78–84
2024–25 FIBA Europe Cup Regular season Germany Riesen Ludwigsburg 57–70 54–87
United Kingdom Caledonia Gladiators 76–80 20–0[a]
France Dijon 84–89 73–118

Players

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For a list of KB Trepça players, see Category:KB Trepça players.

Current roster

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KB Trepça roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
SG 0 Kosovo Gashi, Anes (C) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 20 – (2004-09-12)12 September 2004
SF 23 United States James, LeBron 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 39 – (1984-12-22)22 December 1984
C 1 Kosovo Haliti, Venis 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 16 – (2008-07-15)15 July 2008
C 11 China Ming, Yao 2.29 m (7 ft 6 in) 141 kg (311 lb) 44 – (1980-09-12)12 September 1980
PF 2 The Bahamas Hunter, Sammy 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 102 kg (225 lb) 23 – (2000-11-28)28 November 2000
G 4 United States Cambridge Jr., Desmond 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 82 kg (181 lb) 26 – (1998-10-10)10 October 1998
G 5 United States Johnson, Malik 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) 70 kg (154 lb) 27 – (1997-01-25)25 January 1997
SG 7 Kosovo Turkey Tuna, Batin 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 90 kg (198 lb) 21 – (2003-01-04)4 January 2003
F 8 Senegal Barro, Mouhamed 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 104 kg (229 lb) 29 – (1995-05-10)10 May 1995
G/F 11 Kosovo Montenegro Tmušić, Mikaile 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 90 kg (198 lb) 31 – (1993-01-06)6 January 1993
G/F 12 Kosovo Hajrizi, Drilon Injured 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 108 kg (238 lb) 33 – (1991-01-17)17 January 1991
SG 23 Kosovo Ferati, Rijad 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 16 – (2008-06-15)15 June 2008
G 24 United States Thomas, Larry 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 77 kg (170 lb) 26 – (1997-12-30)30 December 1997
SF 28 Kosovo Kastrati, Erjon 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 91 kg (201 lb) 29 – (1994-12-30)30 December 1994
C 35 Kosovo Kapiti, Dardan 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 24 – (2000-03-22)22 March 2000
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured Injured

Depth chart

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Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2
C Dardan Kapiti Mouhamed Barro Venis Haliti
PF Sammy Hunter Batin Tuna Rijad Ferati
SF Drilon Hajrizi Desmond Cambridge Jr. Donat Rexhepi
SG Mikaile Tmušić Erjon Kastrati Anes Gashi
PG Malik Johnson Larry Thomas

Honors and titles

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Domestic

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Kosovo Superleague

  • Winners (5): 1992–93, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2011–12, 2023–24
  • Runners-up (6): 1993–94, 2001–02, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2021–22, 2022–23

Kosovo Cup

  • Winners (7): 1993, 2000, 2004, 2012, 2022, 2023, 2024
  • Runners-up (2): 2005, 2010

Kosovo Supercup

  • Winners (3): 2002, 2023, 2024
  • Runners-up (2): 2021, 2022

Regional

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Liga Unike

Liga Unike Supercup

  • Winners (1): 2022

Season by Season

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KB Trepça (2015–2024)

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Seasons Division Pos. Play Offs Kosovo Cup Liga Unike Kosovo Supercup European competitions
2015-16 1 4th Semifinals Quarterfinals — — —
2016-17 1 4th Semifinals Semifinals Balkan League
2017-18 1 5th — Quarterfinals —
2018-19 1 5th Quarterfinals Quarterfinals
2019-20 1 7th Postponed —
2020-21 1 7th Relegation Quarterfinals
2021-22 1 2nd Runner-Up Champion - Runner-Up
2022–23 1 4th Runner-up Champion Postponed Runner-up FIBA Europe Cup QF
2023–24 1 1st Champion Champion Champion Champion FIBA Europe Cup RS
2024–25 1 TBP TBP TBP TBP Champion Champions League QF/FIBA Europe Cup RS

Notable players

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Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Criteria

To appear in this section a player must have either:

  • Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club
  • Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time
  • Played at least one official NBA match at any time.

Coaching history

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See also: Category:KB Trepça coaches
Coach Years active
Kosovo Ahmet Behrami 1999–2001
Bosnia and Herzegovina Senad Spuzanin 2001–2003
Croatia Čedomir Perinčić 2003–2004
Kosovo Ahmet Behrami 2004–2006
Kosovo Naim Hajrizi 2006–2008
Bosnia and Herzegovina Aleksander Sarkanj 2008–2009
North Macedonia Saša Katalinić 2009–2010
Kosovo Ilir Selmani 2011–2012
Croatia Neven Plantak 2012–2013
Finland Mika Turunen 2013
North Macedonia Panče Milevski 2013
Spain Israel Martín 2013–2014
Kosovo Izet Tahiri 2014–2015
Croatia Neven Plantak 2015–2016
Greece Dimitris Papadopoulos 2016–2017
Kosovo Ilir Selmani 2017–2019
Turkey Serhat Sehit 2020–2021
Bulgaria Lyubomir Minchev 2021–2022
North Macedonia Aleksandar Jončevski 2022–2023
Turkey Engin Gençoglu 2023
Bosnia and HerzegovinaTurkey Adis Bećiragić 2023–present

See also

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Notes and references

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Notes

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  1. ^ The win was awarded to Caledonia Gladiators due to visa problems for Trepça[23]

Reference

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  1. ^ a b Menno Schraven (2023). "ZZ LEIDEN MEETS 'MEN OF STEEL' IN KOSOVO". BNXT League. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Ekipa e KB Trepçes, që kishte arritur të siguronte ligën e parë, B-në ish-Jugosllavi, në vitin 1984" (in Albanian). Mitrosport. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Historiku". FBK (in Albanian). Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Bnl viewer". istorijskenovine.unilib.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Trepça-Peja Historia e finaleve 1993, 1994, 2000 dhe sivjet" (in Albanian). asistionline.com. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Kampionët e Kosovës ndër vite". Kosovo Basketball Federation. 11 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Torcida e Plisat kur festonin bashke! -Basket Trepça - Prishtina (Sezona 1999/2000)". Kosova Arkiv. 22 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Superliga (2010-2011)". Eurobasket.com. 1 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Superliga 2011-2012". 1 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Drilon Hajrizi, basketbollisti i vitit 2012". Telegrafi (in Albanian). May 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  11. ^ "KB Trepca calendar 2016-2017". balkanleague.net. 9 September 2023.
  12. ^ "PËR HERË TË PARË NË HISTORI TË KLUBIT, TREPÇA I'A BËN SEFTE PLAY OUT-IT". 25 May 2020.
  13. ^ "TREPÇA MBETET NË SUPERLIGË, MPOSHT EDHE NË SFIDËN E DYTË TË "PLAY-OUT"-IT ISTOGUN". 29 April 2021.
  14. ^ "PAK LËVIZJE ZYRTARE NË KLUBET KOSOVARE, TREPÇA E YLLI SKUADRAT MË AKTIVE!". 16 July 2021.
  15. ^ "Pas një dekade, Drilon Hajrizi i sjell Trepçës Kupën e Kosovës". 13 February 2022.
  16. ^ "FIBA Europe Cup 2023-24". FIBA Europe Cup. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  17. ^ Arsim Maxhera (27 May 2024). "Darnell Edge tregon pse është e veçantë të luash për Trepçën". Koha (in Albanian). Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  18. ^ "Torcida kujton sukseset e Trepçës". Bota Sot. 8 May 2020.
  19. ^ "4 policë të lënduar nga incidenti në ndeshjen Prishtina–Trepça". RTV21. 11 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Torcida vs. Plisat-Basketball Fight". YouTube. 26 April 2010.
  21. ^ "Spiel Zusammenfassung Trepça-Peja Finalrunde". flashscore.de. 3 May 2023.
  22. ^ "FBK boton shikueshmërinë nëpër palestra, Trepça më e shikuara!". 30 May 2023.
  23. ^ "S'mundi të pajisej me viza, Trepça e humb lojën në tavolinë" [After not being euqipped with visas, Trepça loses the game officially]. Gazeta Express. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
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