Kosovo begins World Cup journey as sport transcends politics | CNN

Sport transcends politics as Kosovo begins World Cup journey

By Henry Young, CNN
2 minute read
Published 7:59 AM EDT, Tue September 6, 2016
Kosovo and football ... it's complicated.
Kosovo and football ... it's complicated.
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Kosovo marked its first competitive fixture on September 5, 2016 in a 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Finland.
Kosovo marked its first competitive fixture on September 5, 2016 in a 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Finland.
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Almost 10,000 fans were present to witness history at Turku's Veritas Stadion, as the match ended 1-1.
Almost 10,000 fans were present to witness history at Turku's Veritas Stadion, as the match ended 1-1.
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Defender Paulus Arajuuri opened the scoring for Finland after 18 minutes.
Defender Paulus Arajuuri opened the scoring for Finland after 18 minutes.
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Valon Berisha, who found out he was eligible to switch allegiance from Norway to Kosovo only hours before the game, scored the equalizer from the penalty spot after an hour.
Valon Berisha, who found out he was eligible to switch allegiance from Norway to Kosovo only hours before the game, scored the equalizer from the penalty spot after an hour.
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Kosovo will have to play all its "home" matches in the Albanian city of Shkoder until the facilities in its capital Pristina meet the necessary FIFA regulations.
Kosovo will have to play all its "home" matches in the Albanian city of Shkoder until the facilities in its capital Pristina meet the necessary FIFA regulations.
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In Kosovo, sport has become entangled in its political past. In 2008, it declared independence from Serbia, which still does not recognize it as a country -- nor does Russia or several EU members such as Spain -- but over 100 nations including the US have accepted it.
In Kosovo, sport has become entangled in its political past. In 2008, it declared independence from Serbia, which still does not recognize it as a country -- nor does Russia or several EU members such as Spain -- but over 100 nations including the US have accepted it.
Laura Lezza/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
In 2009, UEFA president Michel Platini announced Kosovo could not become a member of European football's governing body until it had been accepted as a part of the United Nations.
In 2009, UEFA president Michel Platini announced Kosovo could not become a member of European football's governing body until it had been accepted as a part of the United Nations.
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
After years of toil, Kosovo's national side was finally admitted into UEFA and world body FIFA in May 2016, despite opposition from Belgrade.
After years of toil, Kosovo's national side was finally admitted into UEFA and world body FIFA in May 2016, despite opposition from Belgrade.
ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The nation's quest for identity is exemplified by the Xhaka family. Born to Kosovan-Albanian parents, brothers Granit and Taulant competed against each other at the 2016 European Championships -- the former for Switzerland, the latter for Albania.
The nation's quest for identity is exemplified by the Xhaka family. Born to Kosovan-Albanian parents, brothers Granit and Taulant competed against each other at the 2016 European Championships -- the former for Switzerland, the latter for Albania.
DENIS CHARLET/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Albania's qualification for Euro 2016 was popular with fans in Kosovo. Here young boys watch the match against Switzerland on a big screen in the capital Pristina.
Albania's qualification for Euro 2016 was popular with fans in Kosovo. Here young boys watch the match against Switzerland on a big screen in the capital Pristina.
ARMEND NIMANI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Kosovo's first international match was held in 2014, a friendly against Haiti which ended in a goalless draw.
Kosovo's first international match was held in 2014, a friendly against Haiti which ended in a goalless draw.
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For the team's fans, the match against Haiti represented political and sporting liberation.
For the team's fans, the match against Haiti represented political and sporting liberation.
Armend Nimani/AFP/Getty Images
Having celebrated joining FIFA, Kosovo is attempting to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. As well as Finland, its group opponents include Croatia, Turkey, Ukraine and Iceland.
Having celebrated joining FIFA, Kosovo is attempting to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. As well as Finland, its group opponents include Croatia, Turkey, Ukraine and Iceland.
ARMEND NIMANI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Finland's Kosovo-born midfielder Perparim Hetemaj decided not to play in the opening World Cup qualifier between the two countries. However, his adopted nation said <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.channelnewsasia.com%2Fnews%2Fsport%2Ffinnish-midfielder-hetemaj-rules-out-kosovo-switch%2F3155248.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">he would not be switching allegiance.</a>
Finland's Kosovo-born midfielder Perparim Hetemaj decided not to play in the opening World Cup qualifier between the two countries. However, his adopted nation said he would not be switching allegiance.
Marco Luzzani/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Just hours before the match against Finland, FIFA gave former Albania international goalkeeper Samir Ujkani permission to play for Kosovo.
Just hours before the match against Finland, FIFA gave former Albania international goalkeeper Samir Ujkani permission to play for Kosovo.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Kosovo's rocky road to the global stage

Story highlights

Kosovo national team earns point in first ever competitive football match

Valon Berisha scores vital goal just hours after receiving permission to play

Eight years after declaration of independence, journey to FIFA World Cup is underway

CNN  — 

First game, first goal, first point.

Sport transcended politics as years of administrative delays and doubts surrounding the Kosovo national team were finally quelled with just hours until the kick-off of its World Cup qualifying campaign.

An ordinary draw with Finland belies a set of extraordinary circumstances.

For while it is one thing to be kept on your toes before a football match, it is quite another to not know your international eligibility until the day of your nation’s first ever competitive fixture.

Six players still didn’t know if FIFA would permit them to switch allegiances at 16:00 local time Monday; how fitting then that it was one of those desperate few, Valon Berisha, who scored the crucial goal.

Having been forced to wait until the eleventh hour, the former Norway international stepped up after 60 minutes to enter the history books, prompting wild celebrations in Turku & congratulations from around the world.

READ: Serbia’s fury at FIFA’s Kosovo stance

Just getting here has required determination, resolve and no shortage of patience; Kosovo goalkeeper and team captain Samir Ujkani admitted he “went outside and cried” after hearing confirmation he could play.

The players will surely need such qualities and more with fixtures against established Euro 2016 nations Croatia, Turkey, Ukraine and Iceland awaiting them.

READ: Kosovo’s international acceptance enterprise

But now, eight years after Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia – and just two years on from the team’s first ever FIFA-sanctioned friendly match against Haiti – the destiny of manager Albert Bunjaki’s men for the first time rests firmly in their own hands.