The pride of football Kosovo, the Balkans from Suva Reka, is led by a Montenegrin international on the field and in the dressing room Edwin Kuch. The team captain, a 29-year-old midfielder from Rožaj, led his team to the group stage of the Conference League for the second year in a row. These are the only historical European successes of clubs from Kosovo.
Kuč is a native, in January he will complete his fifth year of playing in the Balkanija jersey.
- On Thursday we already visit Pilsen, our group also includes Dinamo Zagreb and Astana. All the rich and clubs that even played in the Champions League. But, last year we paid the price for inexperience, we were first after the third round, and only 20 minutes in the match with Sivaspor separated us from the European spring, we were leading until the 70th minute - not without remembering Edvin Kuč, and adds:
- I didn't play decisive matches, because of an ankle injury I took a break for the whole month.
The group is difficult again, even more difficult than last year's, in which Slavija Prague, Sivaspor and Cluj are, although Kuč claims that there is hope for passage.
- Our coach Uncle Ilir for the fourth time, he introduced a team to the group stage of the Europa League, he did it twice with Albanian Skanderbeg, once eliminating Dinamo Zagreb. And we had a great start to the season, all three victories in the Kosovo championship are real preludes for what follows - says Kuč.
He has already played 155 games in Balkani, with an impressive performance for a defensive midfielder - 15 goals and six assists. He also knew how to score in Montenegro, scoring 15 goals in 114 appearances for Dečić, Rudar and OFK Titograd, with whom he won the championship in 2016.
- I was lucky to work in Dečić with Edis Mulalić, in Rudar in the 3-5-2 formation, which he forced with good combinatorics and play Radisav Dragićević, and I came to the title under the baton of a professional of Nikola Pec Rakojević. I came to him after an injury problem in the Czech team Usti nad Labem. There was an old coach, three trainings a day in as many as 90 days of preparation. I was not used to such a thing, but in the beginning, until I injured my groin, I played very well. But since the beginning of this year, I haven't had any problems and I'm looking forward to performances in Europe.
Unlike the Balkans, Montenegrin teams can hardly "catch up" in the League of Conferences, a competition that was formed by UEFA in order to enable weaker football countries to play in the group stage.
Kuč explains the difference between club football in Kosovo and Montenegro.
- Financially and organizationally, clubs in Kosovo are far ahead. They are privatized and financiers have interests, although the infrastructure is still lacking. It was only in 2016 that the admission to UEFA got better, and a lot of work is being done. He likes sports, especially football, and especially in Suva Reka, which is half an hour's drive from Pristina and only 15 from Prizren. The fans are aware that the Balkans are the pride of Kosovo and I feel their affection at every step.
Kuch is loyal to Balkani.
- I have a contract until the end of the season, there were other good offers, but they tied me with the captain's armband and my share in the vision of the club's progress. In the summer, it will be five and a half years in Balkani, we will see in the future. I am satisfied here - concluded Kuč.
I hope that my games will earn me a call to the national team
The performance in the European games of the captain of Balkani, Edvin Kuč, is five assists and one goal. He scored a goal and assisted twice in the qualifiers this summer.
- We have a good team, although there were departures. Last year we won Europe without any changes in the composition, now we succeeded even though there were changes in the team. Except for one Algerian and one Englishman, all the other players are locals, since Albanians are treated like locals. There are also two of us from Montenegro, goalkeeper Damir Ljuljanović and me. The atmosphere in the team is excellent, but you guessed it, the Montenegrins have the main say. That is not in question - says Kuč with a smile.
For the national team of Montenegro, he played for all selections until the age of 17.
- I have fulfilled all my goals except for the appearance in the A team jersey, I hope that with good games this fall in Europe I will also fulfill that one. I follow the games of the national team, I saw the unity and quality, fighting spirit of our team. It is true that the victory in Lithuania was missed due to one mistake, but this team shows unity, which tells me that they can qualify for the European Championship - believes Kuč.
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