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
Early years and successes in Yugoslavia (1940–1992)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
The main supporters of Trepça are Torcida Mitrovicë. Founded in 1984, they are the oldest ethnic Albanian ultras.[18]
Sigal Prishtina
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
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.
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]
