Bekim Bala
Encyclopedia
Bekim Bala is an Albania
n football player who currently plays for KF Tirana in Albanian Superliga. He can play in an attacking role in the midfield and also as a striker, his most preferred position is playing as a striker, and he has an eye for goal, scoring 17 goals in all competitions in the 2009–2010 season with Vllaznia.
150,000 for the first year, making the deal to be worth around €
600,000 for the full four years.
he signed a two year contract for KF Tirana on 20 January 2011, earning €70,000 a season, which was a higher offer than Vllaznia's €50,000.
He made his debut for his new club on 3 February in a home match against Skënderbeu Korçë which ended in 0-0 draw, with Bala coming on at the start of the second half for Gilman Lika
. His first Tirana goal came in the Albanian Cup semi final second leg against Besa Kavajë on 6 April, scoring the equalising goal to secure his side's place in the final. He then went on to score his first league goal just nine days later in a 6-1 thrashing of KF Elbasani. Despite good performances since his January move, new coach Mišo Krstičević
did not pick him to start in the final of the Albanian Cup. Bala came on for Gilman Lika in the 54th minute and helped his side win the trophy despite ending the game with ten men and Bala himself missing a penalty in the shootout which ended 4-3 after heroics from the keeper Ilion Lika
.
against the league winners Skënderbeu, in a match delayed and distrupted by crowd trouble.
His first league goal of the season came on 17 September in the second week of the campaign, away at Kastrioti Krujë. Starting the game as a lone striker, he equalised for KF Tirana in the 48th minute and helped his side win the game 3-2, earning their first three points of the campaign. Following KF Tiran's first win in the league, it had become evident that Bala and Gilman Lika
had formed an effective partnership from midfield to attack, both of who are from Shkodër
.
His next goal came just four days later in the first round of the Albanian Cup against SK Himarë
of the Albanian First Division
. He scored in the 36th minute, a penalty in the 52nd minute and finally rounded off his hattrick in the 67th minute, before Julián Rubio
being forced to replace the player following a strong challenge which left him with an ankle injury. After scoring four goals in as many days he hoped he could one day force his way into the Albania national team
, which he said would be a dream following a good start to the season.
|-
|2007-08||rowspan="3"|Vllaznia Shkodër||rowspan="3"|Albanian Superliga||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||1||0
|-
|2008-09||7||0||5||1||colspan="2"|–||12||1
|-
|2009-10||30||9||6||5||4||0||40||14
|-
|2010-11||Gençlerbirliği||Süper Lig||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||2||0
|-
|2010-11||rowspan="2"|KF Tirana||rowspan="2"|Albanian Superliga||13||2||4||1||colspan="2"|–||17||3
|-
|2011-12||7||6||1||1||2||0||3||1
51||11||15||7||6||0||m||n
1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||2||0
52||11||17||8||6||0||75||19
. Although they only played together for half a season, Bala believes that Sinani is a great player and that it was an honour playing along side him.
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
n football player who currently plays for KF Tirana in Albanian Superliga. He can play in an attacking role in the midfield and also as a striker, his most preferred position is playing as a striker, and he has an eye for goal, scoring 17 goals in all competitions in the 2009–2010 season with Vllaznia.
Vllaznia
Bala joined the Vllaznia youth setup at the age of just 11. He was first tried as a goalkeeper because he was very tall and his father had told the manager of the team, Astrit Premçi, that he was a very able goalkeeper. However after a few training sessions with the player Premçi realised that the player was very good with his feet and so played him as a centre forward.Gençlerbirliği
An unnamed Turkish club had been tracking the young forward for most of the 2009–2010 season whilst he was at Vllaznia, the club was not identified in January 2010 as they did not make a bid, however folling the huge interest shown by Gençlerbirliği S.K. in May and June it became clear who the unnamed Turkish club was. Bala signed a 4 year contract with Gençlerbirliği on 17 June 2010. The transfer fee was reported to be in the region of around €200,000 to €300,000 which was all given to his previous club Vllaznia in Albania. Bala's manager Dritan Gjyrezi had only been a licenced FIFA agent for a year before managing this deal, this was his first deal in his career as an agent and he hoped to be able to send more Albanian players to Turkey as the two countries have very strong roots and the Albanian players who play in Turkey are treated very well. Bala signed the contract earning him €Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
150,000 for the first year, making the deal to be worth around €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
600,000 for the full four years.
KF Tirana
In January Bala received offers from both KF Tirana and his former club Vllaznia for a return back to Albania. But after meeting with Refik HaliliRefik Halili
Refik Halili is the chairman and main sponsor of KF Tirana. Since 2003, Mr. Halili had been one of the sponsors of the club. His duty as Chairman of KF Tirana started on May 29, 2008...
he signed a two year contract for KF Tirana on 20 January 2011, earning €70,000 a season, which was a higher offer than Vllaznia's €50,000.
He made his debut for his new club on 3 February in a home match against Skënderbeu Korçë which ended in 0-0 draw, with Bala coming on at the start of the second half for Gilman Lika
Gilman Lika
Gilman Lika is an Albanian football player who currently plays for KF Tirana in the Albanian Superliga and the Albania national team. His main position is on the left side of the midfield but he can also play in the centre....
. His first Tirana goal came in the Albanian Cup semi final second leg against Besa Kavajë on 6 April, scoring the equalising goal to secure his side's place in the final. He then went on to score his first league goal just nine days later in a 6-1 thrashing of KF Elbasani. Despite good performances since his January move, new coach Mišo Krstičević
Mišo Krsticevic
Mišo Krstičević is a former Croatian football player. He capped 7 times for Yugoslavia....
did not pick him to start in the final of the Albanian Cup. Bala came on for Gilman Lika in the 54th minute and helped his side win the trophy despite ending the game with ten men and Bala himself missing a penalty in the shootout which ended 4-3 after heroics from the keeper Ilion Lika
Ilion Lika
Ilion Lika is an Albanian football player who is currently plays with KF Tirana in the Albanian Superliga. The goalkeeper has previously played for Dinamo Tirana, KS Elbasani and KS Kastrioti in Albania and more recently FC Terek Grozny in Russia.-Career:Lika played for KS Dinamo Tirana from...
.
2011-12 season
He scored the winning goal in the 2011 Albanian SupercupAlbanian Supercup 2011
-References:...
against the league winners Skënderbeu, in a match delayed and distrupted by crowd trouble.
His first league goal of the season came on 17 September in the second week of the campaign, away at Kastrioti Krujë. Starting the game as a lone striker, he equalised for KF Tirana in the 48th minute and helped his side win the game 3-2, earning their first three points of the campaign. Following KF Tiran's first win in the league, it had become evident that Bala and Gilman Lika
Gilman Lika
Gilman Lika is an Albanian football player who currently plays for KF Tirana in the Albanian Superliga and the Albania national team. His main position is on the left side of the midfield but he can also play in the centre....
had formed an effective partnership from midfield to attack, both of who are from Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
.
His next goal came just four days later in the first round of the Albanian Cup against SK Himarë
SK Himarë
SK Himarë are an Albanian football team currently playing in Kategoria e Parë 2011-2012 .- Current squad :-External links:*...
of the Albanian First Division
Albanian First Division
The Albanian First Division is the second level of association football in Albania. The league was first created with the name Kategoria e Dytë and has also been named Kategoria A2 in recent years....
. He scored in the 36th minute, a penalty in the 52nd minute and finally rounded off his hattrick in the 67th minute, before Julián Rubio
Julián Rubio
Julián Rubio Sánchez, born Montealegre del Castillo , is a former player and coach of football in Spain. He is currently the trainer of KF Tirana.-As a player:...
being forced to replace the player following a strong challenge which left him with an ankle injury. After scoring four goals in as many days he hoped he could one day force his way into the Albania national team
Albania national football team
The Albania national association football team is the national association football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania...
, which he said would be a dream following a good start to the season.
Career statistics
(correct as of 29 August 2011)|-
|2007-08||rowspan="3"|Vllaznia Shkodër||rowspan="3"|Albanian Superliga||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||1||0
|-
|2008-09||7||0||5||1||colspan="2"|–||12||1
|-
|2009-10||30||9||6||5||4||0||40||14
|-
|2010-11||Gençlerbirliği||Süper Lig||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||2||0
|-
|2010-11||rowspan="2"|KF Tirana||rowspan="2"|Albanian Superliga||13||2||4||1||colspan="2"|–||17||3
|-
|2011-12||7||6||1||1||2||0||3||1
51||11||15||7||6||0||m||n
1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||2||0
52||11||17||8||6||0||75||19
Personal
The player has stated in an interview for 'Panorama Sport' that during his short time with Vllaznia he learnt many things from striking partner and Vllaznia legend, Vioresin SinaniVioresin Sinani
Vioresin Sinani is an Albanian professional football striker who currently plays for Vllaznia Shkodër in the Albanian Superliga.- Career :...
. Although they only played together for half a season, Bala believes that Sinani is a great player and that it was an honour playing along side him.