GSP correspondence from Skopje Shkendija, the team that stands today in the FCSB in the Champions League, on a walk of collapse »saved by a billionaire that outclasses Gigi Becali
Shkëndija Tetovo stands in the way of FCSB to the most important phases of the Champions League. The Ethnic Albanian formation, abolished in 1981 by the Yugoslav authorities, passed through storms and was rescued through an approach in the media attended by footballers with impact in the Albanian community. And the employer, we Laztani, has a fortune of 5 billion euros, much higher than Gigi Becali!
FCSB dreams of the Champions League groups, meets Shkëndija in the preliminary round of the competition. The first duel is in Skopje, Tuesday evening, from 9:00 pm.
On the National Arena “Todor Proeski”. It does not play international matches at home, at Tetovo, on the “Arena Ecologist”, whose capacity is 15,000 seats. The stadium in the capital of North Macedonia has a capacity of 33,000 seats.
Who is shkëndija: the team of the ethnic Albanian, the victim of political tensions
FK Shkëndija was founded by the Albanian ethnicity in Tetovo, in the idea of representing the community, very strong in that area. The rapid ascension of the club in the Yugoslave League system led to concerns about potential ethnic tensions, and the Yugoslav authorities abolished the club in the early 1980s! Two years after the foundation, the shutters were drawn over the Albanian group.
After Northern Macedonia declared its independence in 1991, Shkëndija was re-established and began to compete in the new league system.
The club faced financial difficulties shortly and “juggled” with the collapse in 2012. Which he avoided with the support of influential people. Shkëndija enjoys strong support, especially from the Albanian community in Tetovo.
The supporters of the team – “Ballistat” – have accused several times in the past that the Football Federation of North Macedonia (whose board of directors consists mainly of Macedonian members) would have committed injustices in terms of Shkëndija, but to a lesser extent.
5Northern Macedonia champion titles gathered Shkëndija, in 2011, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2025. Plus two internal cups
Who saved Shkëndija: from Xerdan Shaqiri to Lorik Cana and Family Destani
Ethnic tensions have decreased, and today the team is made up of Albanian, Macedonians and foreign players. However, the Albanians are in power in Shkendija.
In the 2012/2013 edition, Shkëndija went through huge financial difficulties. He was on the verge of bankruptcy. The involvement of important personalities in the Albanian community saved and changed the direction of the group.
5.5Millions of euros is the share of Shkendija on Transfermarkt, ten times lower than FCSB
Xherdan Shaqiri, now in Basel, with an impressive career in Bayern, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Lyon, plus the national team, has been involved. At the same time, Albanian Lorik Cana, former captain in Marseille and Lazio, player at PSG, Galatasara and Sunderland. But also other supporters with financial potential.
A campaign was launched in the media to encourage the Ecologist International to take over the club. Which happened, so the situation recovered, and the ecologist are the owners of the group.
Billionaire Lazim Destani
Billionaire Lazim Destani, 71, and his family, have control in the ecologist, and in Shkëndija. The wealth of the Philanthropic with Albanian origins is amounting to 5 billion euros. Gigi Becali has an estimated fortune at 1.2 billion euros.
175For thousands of euros he received FCSB for qualifying in the preliminary round of UCL. Is the amount with which the qualification is awarded in each of the first three preliminary tours, to which is added a bonus received for elimination
18.6Millions of euros is the UEFA bonus for qualifying in competition groups
