Rilindja IL
 | |||
| Full name | Rilindja Idrettslag | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Short name | RIL | ||
| Founded | 12 April 1987 | ||
| Ground | Haugerud kunstgress | ||
| Capacity | 1,200 | ||
| Chairman | Leotrim Iljazi | ||
| Head coach | Blerim Redzepi | ||
| League | 6. divisjon | ||
| 2026 | 6. divisjon, 1st of 10th | ||
| Website | rilindjafk | ||
|
| |||
Rilindja Idrettslag, or simply Rilindja, is a Norwegian football club based in Oslo. They play their home games at the Haugerud kunstgress.
History
[edit]Founding and early years
[edit]The club's origins can be traced to the late 1980s, when Albanian guest workers regularly gathered in the Tøyen area of Oslo to play football after long working days. For many, football provided a sense of community, friendship, and belonging while living far from their families and homeland. Participation was informal and open to anyone who wished to join, a principle that would become one of the club's defining characteristics.[1]
As the number of players continued to grow, so did the ambition to create a more structured organization. On 12 April 1987, the Albanian community's members decided to establish a football club that could compete in organized matches, adopt official club colours, and participate in the Norwegian league system. This decision led to the founding of Rilindja, whose name is derived from the Albanian word Rilindja, meaning "Renaissance" or "Rebirth"
A key figure in the establishment of the club was Dehar Dehari, often referred to as the "father" of Rilindja. Together with Xhemadin Neziri, Qani Dehari, Rufki Mamuti, Naser Ademi, Sinan Idrizi, Samet Idrizi, Abdilhamit Shabani, Fadil Etemi, Murtez Dehari, Haki Etemi, Nafi Mamuti, and Astrit Kukleci, he helped organize, register, and build the foundations of the club. Their collective efforts transformed an informal gathering of football enthusiasts into an officially recognized sports organization.[2]
1990-2016
[edit]The club did not enter the Norwegian league system immediately. The club spent its first three years establishing its organizational structure before making its league debut in 1990, beginning in the 9. divisjon.[3] During its development years, the club relied heavily on volunteer work and support from Oslo's Albanian community. Financial contributions and practical assistance from Albanian immigrants across Norway played an important role in ensuring the club's survival and growth.
Throughout the 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s, Rilindja established itself within Oslo's grassroots football scene. The club experienced several promotions and relegations, competing primarily between the 5. divisjon and 6. divisjon.[4] During this period, Rilindja served not only as a football club but also as an important social and cultural meeting place for Albanians living in Norway, helping strengthen community ties while providing opportunities for sporting participation and youth engagement.
A significant turning point in the club's history came when former Belgian international and Vålerenga player David Brocken joined Rilindja as a part-time coach in 2010.[5] Under Brocken, the club achieved consecutive promotions, first from the 6. divisjon in 2011 and then from the 5. divisjon to the 4. divisjon in 2012. The club remained in the 4. divisjon during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
After two seasons in the 4. divisjon, Brocken handed over coaching responsibilities to former Follo and Asker player Alban Shipshani ahead of the 2015 season. Under Shipshani, Rilindja finished second in its 4. divisjon group in 2015 and earned promotion to the 3. divisjon. The club subsequently competed in the 2016 3. divisjon the highest level reached in its history. The club also qualified for the first round of the Norwegian Football Cup in 2015, where it was defeated 2–0 by Bærum SK.[6] The cup appearance coincided with the club's promotion-winning season and remains its best documented performance in the competition. The years that followed were characterized by both successes and challenges on the field, with the club competing between the 3. divisjon and 6. divisjon.The success significantly raised the club's sporting profile and established Rilindja as a more competitive force within Oslo football.
Community engagement and multicultural development
[edit]At the same time, Rilindja underwent a broader transformation off the pitch. While the club remained proud of its Albanian heritage, it increasingly welcomed players from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. During the late 2010s and early 2020s, the club placed a strong emphasis on integration, inclusion, and youth development.[7]
This approach reflected a conscious effort by the club's leadership to promote the values of sport among new generations, particularly young people from immigrant backgrounds. As a result, Rilindja evolved from a predominantly Albanian club into a multicultural organization that reflects the diversity of modern Oslo. While preserving its historical identity and Albanian heritage, the club has developed into a multicultural football institution that welcomes players from all backgrounds and continues to promote participation, inclusion, and sporting development within Oslo's local community.
Colours and badge
[edit]Rilindja draws inspiration from the red and black colours of the Albanian flag. The club's home kit consists of red shirts, black shorts and black socks, although red socks are also occasionally worn. The away kit features white shirts, black shorts and white socks. The club badge displays the Albanian double-headed eagle alongside the club's name, city and year of foundation.
Honours
[edit]League
[edit]- 4. divisjon (tier 5)
- 'Winners (1): 2017
- Runners-up (1): 2015
- 5. divisjon (tier 6)
- Runners-up (2): 2005, 2012
- 6. divisjon (tier 7)
- 'Winners (2): 2004, 2011
- Runners-up (1): 2000
League history
[edit]The table below details Rilindja's league performance since 2000, including promotions, relegations and participation in the Norwegian Football Cup.[8]
Season Division Tier Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Cup Notes 2000 6. divisjon avd. 1 7 ↑2 18 14 0 4 56 27 42 Promoted to the 5. divisjon 2001 5. divisjon avd. 2 6 7 18 6 1 11 58 72 19 2002 5. divisjon avd. 3 6 ↓10 18 2 2 14 43 90 8 Relegated to the 6. divisjon 2003 6. divisjon avd. 1 7 4 18 9 1 8 72 50 28 2004 6. divisjon avd. 1 7 ↑1 18 13 2 3 71 33 41 Promoted to the 5. divisjon 2005 5. divisjon avd. 1 6 ↑2 16 10 1 5 44 23 31 Promoted to the 4. divisjon 2006 4. divisjon avd. 2 5 10 22 7 4 11 50 70 25 2007 4. divisjon avd. 1 5 5 18 9 3 6 55 38 30 2008 4. divisjon 5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2009 5. divisjon avd. 1 6 6 18 9 1 8 52 54 28 2010 5. divisjon avd. 3 6 6 18 5 6 7 35 38 21 2011 6. divisjon avd. 3 7 ↑1 18 14 2 2 78 30 44 Promoted to the 5. divisjon 2012 5. divisjon avd. 3 6 ↑2 18 13 0 5 67 38 39 Promoted to the 4. divisjon 2013 4. divisjon avd. 2 5 7 22 8 5 9 49 52 29 2014 4. divisjon avd. 2 5 2 22 13 4 5 71 41 43 2015 4. divisjon avd. 2 5 ↑2 20 17 2 1 81 22 53 first round Promoted to the 3. divisjon 2016 3. divisjon avd. 2 4 ↓6 26 11 4 11 60 55 37 Relegated to the 4. divisjon despite finishing 6th since 2016 was a restructuring season. Only top four stayed in the new 3. divisjon. 2017 4. divisjon avd. 2 5 ↑1 22 17 2 3 84 34 53 Promoted to the 3. divisjon 2018 3. divisjon avd. 1 4 ↓11 26 9 4 13 42 65 31 Relegated to the 4. divisjon 2019 4. divisjon avd. 3 5 2 22 17 2 3 75 27 53 2020 4. divisjon 5 - - - - - - - - Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2021 4. divisjon avd. 2 5 8 13 4 6 3 27 26 18 2022 4. divisjon avd. 2 5 ↓10 22 7 4 11 36 58 25 Relegated to the 5. divisjon 2023 5. divisjon avd. 1 6 ↓12 22 5 2 15 44 76 17 Relegated to the 6. divisjon 2024 6. divisjon avd. 1 7 7 18 6 4 8 41 49 21 2025 6. divisjon avd. 1 7 3 18 10 2 6 51 28 32 2026 (in progress) 6. divisjon avd. 1 7 1 14 12 1 1 50 23 37
Managerial history
[edit]| Dates | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1987–2010 | Unknown | |
| 2010–2014 |  David Brocken |
|
| 2015 |  Alban Shipshani |
Player-coach |
| 2015-2018 |  Michael Frank |
|
| 2019 | Ismet Crnalic |
|
| 2020–2024 | Alban Shipshani |
|
| 2024 | Saif Haydar |
|
| 2025– | Blerim Redzepi |
Notable players
[edit]Notable coaches
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ https://rilindjafk.no/
- ↑ https://rilindjafk.no/
- ↑ https://rilindjafk.no/
- ↑ https://rilindjafk.no/
- ↑ https://rilindjafk.no/
- ↑ https://www.budstikka.no/barum-sportsklubb/fotball/sport/her-drar-jan-til-med-et-drommemal-og-dermed-gikk-barum-videre/s/5-55-67616
- ↑ https://rilindjafk.no/
- ↑ https://www.fotball.no/
External links
[edit]- Official site (in Norwegian)
- Haugerud Kunstgress - Nordic Stadiums
  | This article about a Norwegian football club is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |