FK Zemun

 

FK Zemun is a Serbian football club based in Zemun, Belgrade. The club has a rich history in Serbian football, having played in the top tier for several seasons and producing notable players. However, in recent years, it has struggled financially and now competes in the lower divisions.

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History & Achievements

• Founded: 1946 (originally as FK Galenika, later renamed FK Zemun).
• Best Era: The late 1990s and early 2000s, when the club played in the Yugoslav First League and later the Serbian SuperLiga.
• League Performance: FK Zemun has fluctuated between the top division (SuperLiga) and the second-tier (Prva Liga Srbije).

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Trophies & Honours

• While FK Zemun has never won the Serbian SuperLiga, it has had some notable achievements:
  • FR Yugoslavia Cup Finalist (1992-93) – Lost to Partizan Belgrade.
  • Winners of Serbian Second Division multiple times, earning promotions to the top tier.

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Best Performances

Domestic Success

• Best SuperLiga Finish: 4th place in 1992-93, which allowed them to compete in European football.
• Yugoslav Cup Finalist (1992-93) – One of their biggest achievements in club history.

European Competitions

• 1992-93 UEFA Cup (Now the Europa League) – FK Zemun qualified for Europe but had a short campaign.
• The club has never played in the UEFA Champions League but has had minor appearances in continental tournaments.

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Notable Players & Coaches

Key Players

• Nenad Milijaš – Former Serbian international who later played for Red Star Belgrade and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
• Bratislav Živković – A talented midfielder who had spells in bigger clubs.
• Miloš Krasić (Youth Academy) – A Serbian winger who later became famous at CSKA Moscow and Juventus.

Notable Coaches

• Zoran Milinković – A coach who helped stabilize the team during difficult periods.
• Dragoljub Bekvalac – Managed the team during competitive years in the Serbian top flight.

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Current Status

• Recent Performance: FK Zemun has struggled with financial issues and is currently playing in the lower divisions of Serbian football.
• League Position: Competing in the Serbian third tier, aiming for promotion back to the Prva Liga Srbije (second division).
• Challenges: The club has faced administrative problems and budget constraints, making it difficult to compete at a high level.

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Stadium – Zemun Stadium

• Name: Zemun Stadium (Stadion FK Zemun)
• Capacity: 10,000 spectators
• Location: Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia
• Surface: Grass
• Atmosphere: The club has a passionate local fan base, known as the Taurunum Boys.

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FK Zemun is a historic Serbian football club that had its best years in the 1990s and early 2000s, competing in SuperLiga and even playing in European competitions. However, financial problems have caused them to fall to the third tier of Serbian football. Despite their struggles, Zemun Stadium remains a stronghold of football tradition, and the club aims to return to the top levels of Serbian football in the future.

pic: transfermarkt

Aalesunds FK

 

Aalesunds FK (AaFK) is a Norwegian football club based in Ålesund, a city on the western coast of Norway. The club was founded in 1914 and has spent much of its history fluctuating between the top two divisions of Norwegian football.

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History & Achievements

• Founded: 1914
• Nicknamed: "Tangotrøyene" (The Tango Shirts) due to their orange and blue kit colors.
• League Performance: The club has competed both in the Eliteserien (Norwegian top division) and the OBOS-ligaen (second tier) throughout its history.
• First Promotion to Eliteserien: 2002, marking the beginning of their emergence as a competitive top-tier side.

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Trophies & Honours

• Norwegian Cup (NM Cupen): 🏆 2 titles
  • 2009 – Defeated Molde FK in the final.
  • 2011 – Defeated SK Brann in the final.
• The club’s cup victories have been its biggest achievements, granting them opportunities to compete in European competitions.

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Best Performances

Domestic Success

• Best Eliteserien Finish: 4th place in 2010, which remains their highest league position.
• Norwegian Cup Wins (2009 & 2011), leading to Europa League qualification.

European Competitions

• UEFA Europa League Appearances:
  • Participated in 2011-12 & 2012-13 seasons, reaching the third qualifying round before being eliminated.
  • One of the club’s most memorable European matches was against AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) in 2012.

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Notable Players & Coaches

Key Players

• Jonathan Parr – Norwegian full-back who later played in the English Championship for Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town.
• Leke James – Nigerian forward known for his goal-scoring ability.
• Demar Phillips – Jamaican international who played a key role in the club’s success.
• Jo Nymo Matland – A crucial left-back during their cup-winning seasons.

Notable Coaches

• Kjetil Rekdal – Led Aalesund to their first Norwegian Cup victory in 2009.
• Jan Jönsson – Managed the team during one of their more competitive Eliteserien campaigns.

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Current Status

• Recent Performance: The club has been alternating between Eliteserien and OBOS-ligaen, struggling to maintain consistent top-flight status.
• 2023 Season: Aalesunds FK was relegated from Eliteserien, meaning they will play in the second tier (OBOS-ligaen) in 2024.
• Future Goals: The club aims to return to Eliteserien and establish themselves as a stable top-tier side once again.

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Stadium – Color Line Stadion

• Opened: 2005
• Capacity: 10,778 spectators
• Location: Ålesund, Norway
• Surface: Artificial turf
• The stadium provides an intense atmosphere, with strong local support from the passionate fanbase, particularly from the "Stormen" supporter group.

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Aalesunds FK is a historic Norwegian club that has experienced both success and struggles in recent years. With two Norwegian Cup wins (2009 & 2011) and participation in European competitions, the club has established itself as an important name in Norwegian football. However, frequent relegations and promotions indicate inconsistency. With their modern Color Line Stadion and strong fanbase, Aalesunds FK will aim to return to Eliteserien and regain their competitive status.

pic: transfermarkt