Brotherly derby#First match

The first match between these two teams took place on 29 November 1942. It was a friendly match as part of the celebrations for the thirtieth anniversary of the independence of Albania. The match ended with a 2–0 win for Tirana,{{efn|name=Tirana}} and the starting line-ups of that match was:{{cite news|url=http://www.zemrashqiptare.net/news/1668/rp-0/act-print/rf-1/printo.html?fbclid=IwAR3j3rIL_6QwGE5P_Uwebwa5Kkk-T9NzhO5P1yGye463vlCuV8O57Vu7ATw|title=Besnik Dizdari: Kur në Tiranë lindte Përfaqësuesja e Kosovës...(II)|trans-title=Besnik Dizdari: When in Tirana the Kosovo national team was born...(II)|language=Albanian|author=Besnik Dizdari|website=Zemra Shqiptare|date=12 December 2007}}{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/opinion-nga-besnik-dizdari-armiqte-e-vertete-dhe-miqte-e-rreme-te-kosoves/|title="Armiqtë" e vërtetë dhe "miqtë" e rremë të Kosovës|trans-title=The real "enemies" and false "friends" of Kosovo|language=Albanian|author=Besnik Dizdari|publisher=Panorama Sport|date=15 September 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://gazetasi.al/kalvari-sportiv-i-kosoves-dhe-miqesorja-e-harruar-me-jugosllavine/|title=Kosova, kalvari sportiv e miqësorja e harruar me Jugosllavinë|trans-title=Kosovo, the sports ordeal and the forgotten friendly with Yugoslavia|language=Albanian|author=Mendrit Shehu|website=Gazetasi|date=18 November 2019}}

50 years after the first match, the newly separated Football Federation of Kosovo from Football Association of Yugoslavia signed a cooperation protocol with the Albanian Football Association and in the framework of this protocol it was decided to play on 14 February a friendly match between these two national teams,{{cite news|url=http://ffk-kosova.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/FFK_20-vjet-Mevetesimi.pdf|title=Futbolli 1991–2011, 20 vjet mëvetësim|trans-title=Football 1991–2019, 20 years independence|pages=Respectively on pages 64 and 65, contain information about cooperation protocol and the match|language=Albanian|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|date=2011}} and this match ended with a 3–1 win for Albania.{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1993e1.html|title=International Matches 1993 – Europe, January–March|quote=14/02/1993, Tiranë, Dinamo, 14000, Friendly International, ALBANIA–KOSOVA|publisher=RSSSF}} The starting line-ups of that match was:

During the period 2002–2015, these national teams played a total of three friendly matches (two wins for Albania and a draw), the first match during this period took place on 7 September 2002 and this match ended with a 0–1 win for Albania.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2002e3.html|title=Kosova 0:1 Albania|publisher=RSSSF|date=7 September 2002}} Eight years later, respectively on the second anniversary of Kosovo's independence, a match was played again between these two national teams and this match ended with a 2–3 win for Albania. The profits gathered from the match went to those affected by floods in Shkodër.{{cite web|url=http://www.albaniasoccer.com/lajme/kosova/perfaqesuesja/1326-miqesore-kosove-shqiperi-2-3-.html|title=Miqesore/Kosove - Shqipëri 2-3|trans-title=Friendly/Kosovo - Albania 2-3|language=Albanian|website=AlbaniaSoccer|date=17 February 2010}}

These national teams played a friendly match on 13 November 2015. Albania played this friendly after almost a month after beating Armenia in UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying which provided Albania with qualification for the first time to a major competition, UEFA Euro 2016.{{cite news|url=https://fshf.org/sq/fiton-shqiperia-shkojme-ne-france/|title=Fiton Shqipëria, shkojmë në Francë|trans-title=Albania wins, we go to France|language=Albanian|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=11 October 2015}} For Kosovo this match was among the few matches allowed by FIFA which would then be the last match before Kosovo's membership in UEFA,{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/mediaservices/newsid=2359883.html?redirectFromOrg=true#/football+federation+kosovo+joins+uefa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802004020/http://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/mediaservices/newsid=2359883.html?redirectFromOrg=true#/football+federation+kosovo+joins+uefa|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 2, 2017|title=Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA|publisher=UEFA|date=3 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/03/kosovo-accepted-uefa-member-vote-congress|title=Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote|work=The Guardian|date=3 May 2016}} and FIFA.{{Cite web|url=http://www.telegrafi.com/zyrtare-kosova-pranohet-ne-fifa-jemi-te-barabarte-te-gjitha-vendet-e-botes/|title=Zyrtare: Kosova pranohet në FIFA, jemi të barabartë me të gjitha vendet e botës|trans-title=Official: Kosovo is admitted to FIFA, we are equal to all countries in the world|language=Albanian|publisher=Telegrafi|date=13 May 2016}} This match ended with a 2–2 draw,{{cite news|url=http://ffk-kosova.com/2015/11/13/feste-emocion-dhe-spektakel-futbolli/|title=Festë, emocion dhe spektakël futbolli|trans-title=Holiday, emotion and football spectacle|language=Albanian|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|date=13 November 2015}}{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} which was called a brotherly draw,{{cite web|url=https://demo.telesport.al/luhet-miqesorja-vellazerore-prishtina-e-tera-ne-feste|title=Miqësorja vëllazërore në barazim 2-2, Prishtina e tëra në festë|trans-title=Brotherly friendly in 2-2 draw, Pristina wholly holiday|language=Albanian|website=TeleSport|date=13 November 2015}} where after this match officially all matches between the two national teams began to be called brotherly.

On 29 May 2018 the first official match was played between the two countries. This match took place on a neutral ground, in Letzigrund of Zürich. 18,700 fans mainly from the Albanian diaspora watched a 3–0 win for Kosovo, which was their first victory in history against Albania.{{cite news|url=http://ffk-kosova.com/kosova-e-fiton-me-spektakel-miqesoren-kunder-shqiperise/|title=Kosova e fiton me spektakël miqësoren kundër Shqipërisë|trans-title=Kosovo wins the friendly against Albania with spectacle|language=Albanian|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|date=29 May 2018}}

On 28 October 2020, the Football Federation of Kosovo confirmed that a friendly match against Albania on 11 November would be played before the last two UEFA Nations League matches as a substitute for Albania's canceled match against Gibraltar.{{cite news|url=http://www.ffk-kosova.com/kosova-vellazerore-me-shqiperine-me-11-nentor/|title=Kosova, vëllazërore me Shqipërinë më 11 nëntor|trans-title=Kosovo, brotherly with Albania on 11 November|language=Albanian|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|date=28 October 2020}} However, this match was criticized as an "unnecessary friendly" by both managers Edoardo Reja{{cite news|url=https://kanal10.live/sport/reja-se-doja-miqesoren-me-kosoven-per-kumbullen-kemi-ende-shprese|title=Reja: S'e doja miqësoren me Kosovën, për Kumbullën kemi ende shpresë|trans-title=Reja: I did not like the friendly with Kosovo, we still have hope for Kumbulla|language=Albanian|website=Kanal10|date=10 November 2020}} and Bernard Challandes,{{cite news|url=https://www.syri.net/sport/381846/miqesorja-vellazerore-flet-shaland-ne-kete-situate-ndeshja-me-shqiperine-e-panevojshme/|title=Miqësorja vëllazërore/Flet Shaland: Në këtë situatë ndeshja me Shqipërinë e panevojshme|trans-title=Brotherly friendly/Challandes speaks: In this situation, the match with Albania is unnecessary|language=Albanian|website=Syri.net|date=10 November 2020}} as the match would be taking place at a crucial moment for both teams, with Albania needing to be prepared for their next two Nations League matches in order to secure the promotion from League B, while Kosovo was faced with a player shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a poor Nations League performance which threatened to relegate the team from League D. Regardless, the friendly went ahead and ended with a 2–1 win for Albania.{{cite news|url=https://fshf.org/sq/shqiperia-fiton-2-1-vellazeroren-kosoven/|title=Shqipëria fiton 2–1 "vëllazëroren" me Kosovën|trans-title=Albania wins 2–1 "brotherly" with Kosovo|language=Albanian|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=28 October 2020}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1942|11|29|df=y}}

|time = 14:30

|round = Friendly

|score = 2–0

|report = https://gazetasi.al/kalvari-sportiv-i-kosoves-dhe-miqesorja-e-harruar-me-jugosllavine/

|team1 = {{efn|name=Tirana}}{{fb-rt|ALB|1939|name=Tirana}}

|goals1 = Visha {{goal|5}}
Lisi {{goal|89}}

|team2 = {{flagdeco|ALB|1939}} Kosovo

|goals2 =

|stadium = Shallvare

|location = Tirana, Albanian Kingdom

|attendance = 8,000

|referee = Abdurrahman Toptani (Albania)

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1993|2|14|df=y}}

|time =

|round = Friendly

|score = 3–1

|report = http://www.rsssf.com/intldetails/1993e1.html

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB|1992}}

|goals1 = Abazi {{goal|38}}
Seferi {{goal|39|o.g.}}
Fortuzi {{goal|42}}

|team2 = {{fb|Kosova|name=Kosovo}}

|goals2 = Munishi {{goal|72}}

|stadium = Selman Stërmasi Stadium

|location = Tirana, Albania

|attendance = 14,000

|referee = Bujar Pregja (Albania)

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|date = {{Start date|2002|9|7|df=y}}

|time =

|round = Friendly

|score = 0–1

|report = [http://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/10150/Kosovo_Albania.html Report]
[https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2002e3.html Report (RSSSF)]

|team1 = {{fb-rt|KOS|UNMIK}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}

|goals2 = Abazi {{goal|45|o.g.}}

|stadium = Pristina City Stadium

|location = Pristina, Kosovo

|attendance = 25,000

|referee = Bekim Pakuja (Macedonia)

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|2010|2|17|df=y}}

|time =

|round = Friendly

|score = 2–3

|report = [http://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/13422/Kosovo_Albania.html Report (1st)]
[http://www.albaniasoccer.com/lajme/kosova/perfaqesuesja/1326-miqesore-kosove-shqiperi-2-3-.html Report (2nd)]

|team1 = {{fb-rt|KOS}}

|goals1 = Hasani {{goal|31}}
Gashi {{goal|75}}

|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}

|goals2 = Bicaj {{goal|4}}
Muzaka {{goal|31|pen.}}
Balaj {{goal|90+2}}

|stadium = Pristina City Stadium

|location = Pristina, Kosovo

|attendance = 10,000

|referee =

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|2015|11|13|df=y}}

|time = 14:00 (UTC+1)

|round = Friendly

|score = 2–2

|report = https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=1902

|team1 = {{fb-rt|KOS}}

|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}

|goals1 = Celina {{goal|58|pen.}}
Rashani {{goal|69}}

|goals2 = Manaj {{goal|54}}
Rrahmani {{goal|73}}

|stadium = Pristina City Stadium

|location = Pristina, Kosovo

|attendance = 38,000 (record)

|referee = Lorenc Jemini (Albania)

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|date = {{Start date|2018|5|29|df=y}}

|time = 20:00 (UTC+1)

|round = Friendly

|score = 3–0

|report = https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=15698

|team1 = {{fb-rt|KVX}}

|goals1 = Zeneli {{goal|20||51}}
Zhegrova {{goal|67}}

|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Letzigrund

|location = Zürich, Switzerland

|attendance = 18,700

|referee = Alain Bieri (Switzerland)

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|date = {{Start date|2020|11|11|df=y}}

|time = 16:00 (CET; UTC+01:00)

|round = Friendly

|score = 2–1

|report = [https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=16911 Report]
[https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/friendlies/match/2030220--albania-vs-kosovo/ Report (UEFA)]

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}

|goals1 = Balaj {{goal|31}}
Uzuni {{goal|65}}

|team2 = {{fb|KVX}}

|goals2 = Muriqi {{goal|85|pen.}}

|stadium = Elbasan Arena

|location = Elbasan, Albania

|attendance = 0

|referee = Hüseyin Göçek (Turkey)

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|date = {{Start date|2022|11|19|df=y}}

|time =

|round = Friendly

|score = Canceled{{efn|The match was canceled due to lack of logistics as no suitable stadium was found to play the match.{{cite news|url=https://sportekspres.com/anulohet-vellazerorja-me-kosoven-shqiperia-luan-miqesore-me-kombetaren-qe-na-bekoi-ne-europian/|title=Anulohet vëllazërorja me Kosovën, Shqipëria luan miqësore me Kombëtaren që na bekoi në Europian|trans-title=The friendly match with Kosovo is cancelled, Albania plays a friendly with the national team that blessed us in the European|language=Albanian|publisher=Sport Ekspres|date=19 October 2022}}}}

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|KVX}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|location = Germany or Switzerland

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = V

}}

{{updated|11 November 2020}}

Below are two lists of the top 11 players with the most appearances and goals in Brotherly derby.
Players in bold are still active at international level.

{{Col-start}}

{{Col-2}}

{{Col-2}}

{{Col-end}}

During the period before 2016, these two national teams have exchanged players with each other, which influenced these two teams to be called reserve (B) teams of each other, Kosovo national team was called Albania B due to many players coming to play for Kosovo as they had no space to play for Albania, while Albania national team was called Kosovo B due to of the large number of players of Kosovo Albanian descent in its composition.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kosova-a-kosova-b-2-2-ose-kosova-shqiperia-30-6/|title=Kosova A – "Kosova B" 2–2 ose Kosova – Shqipëria 30–6!|trans-title=Kosovo A – "Kosovo B" 2–2 or Kosovo – Albania 30–6!|language=Albanian|author=Besnik Dizdari|publisher=Panorama Sport|date=18 November 2015}} These exchanges began to be called acts of treason after Kosovo's membership in UEFA and FIFA, where some Albania players of Kosovo Albanian descent such as Amir Rrahmani, Herolind Shala and Milot Rashica who were part of the plans for the future of the Albania, moved to Kosovo.{{cite news|url=https://ekonomiaonline.com/opinione/rashica-nje-tradhetar-merzitur/|title=Milot Rashica, një tradhtar i mërzitur|trans-title=Milot Rashica, an upset traitor|language=Albanian|author=Andi Bushati|website=Ekonomia Online|access-date=1 December 2020}}

• Players in bold are still active at international level with respective national teams.
• {{Color box|ececec|border=darkgray}} Career years when the players were gathered but did not debut with respective national teams.

File:Besnik Hasi 2016 (cropped).jpg is the first player to switch from Albania to Kosovo]]

File:Debatik Curri.jpg is the first player to switch from Kosovo to Albania]]

{{Portal|Association football}}

• Albania–Kosovo relations

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/albkosres.html Brotherly derby] at RSSSF

{{Albania national football team}}

{{Kosovo national football team}}

{{Association football international rivalries in Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brotherly derby}}

Category:International association football rivalries

football

Category:Albania national football team rivalries

Category:Kosovo national football team