Agustin Kola

Agustin Kola (born 10 May 1959), is an Albanian professional football coach and retired player.

Agustin Kola
Personal information
Full name Agustin Kola
Date of birth (1959-05-10) 10 May 1959
Place of birth Tiranë, Albania
Height 1.82 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1977–1978 Shkëndija (2)
1978–1979 17 Nëntori Tirana (7)
1979–1980 Shkëndija (5)
1980–1991 17 Nëntori Tirana 260 (113)
1991–1992 Egaleo
1994–1997 Tirana 38 (13)
National team
1980–1994 Albania 22 (1)
Teams managed
1998 Shkumbini
2008–2009 Tirana
2009–2010 Kamza
2010–2011 Tirana U-17
2011–2014 Tirana U-19
2012 Skrapari
2015 Adriatiku Mamurras
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He played most of his career at 17 Nëntori Tirana where he established himself as one of the greatest strikers of his generation, winning several individual and collective awards.[1] Towards the end of his career, Kola moved for the first time abroad following the fall of communism, by signing with Greece's Egaleo alongside compatriot Adrian Barbullushi. He played there for only one season before returning to the renamed KF Tirana once again to play until his retirement.

Club career

After spending some of his teen years at the Tirana Circus, as an acrobat, and also excelling in swimming, Kola was seen playing football by then middle school teacher Aurel Veria, who referred him to Kola's first coach at KF Tirana's youth, Enver Rada. Kola was then 13 years old.[2] At 14, he excelled at the youth Spartakiad and, given his acrobatic mastery, his role was goalkeeper. However, after his team was losing 0–1, he told one of the defenders to go and become goallie and went himself to attack. Coach Rada didn't have time to recall his undisciplined player because Kola scored the drawing goal, and soon after helped one of his teammates score the winner. From that game on, Kola never played as a goalie anymore, but became a forward.[2]

Without consulting or letting anyone know, at 14, he applied and passed a scrimmage at the Sports mastery school Loro Boriçi, a high school specializing in producing young football players.[2]

Kola will be remembered by the KF Tirana fans as one of its greatest players for the spirit of sacrifice that he would put into the game.[2] Several times Kola played even injured for his team and managed to overturn the fate of the game into a Tirana win.[2] He was part of Nëntori Tirana's golden generation along with players such as Arben Minga, Mirel Josa, Sulejman Mema, Shkëlqim Muça and Bedri Omuri. His partnership up front with Minga made the attacking power of KF Tirana one of the most memorable of the Albanian football.[2] Kola has won 8 Albanian Superliga seasons and 8 Albanian Cups while at KF Tirana.[2]

In Greece, he also played for Kallithea and PAS Giannina.[3]

International career

He made his debut for Albania in a December 1980 FIFA World Cup qualification match at home against Austria and earned a total of 22 caps, scoring 1 goal. His final international was a September 1994 European Championship qualification match against Wales.[4]

Managerial career

Kola's managerial career begun in the 2008–09 season with Tirana, taking charge on 12 December 2008 and leading the team until 7 May, resigning just two matches before the end of the season after losing the 2009 Albanian Cup final to Flamurtari Vlorë.[5] However, the team won their 24th championship with Kola becoming a big factor with his presence as a coach during that season.[6]

Retirement

Charity activities

On 7 May 2015, Kola took part in a charity match played at Elbasan Arena as part of the Albania Legends vs. Germany Legends.[7] He played in the match and notably scored a Panenka-style penalty in the first match as Albania lost 4–3, a photocopy of the 1997 match.[8]

Career statistics

Goals in Albanian Championship
Season Team Goals
1977-78Shkëndija2
1978-79SK Tirana7
1979-80Shkëndija5
1980-81SK Tirana6
1981-82SK Tirana10
1982-83SK Tirana7
1983-84SK Tirana4
1984-85SK Tirana10
1985-86SK Tirana13
1986-87SK Tirana13
1987-88SK Tirana18
1988-89SK Tirana19
1989-90SK Tirana9
1990-91SK Tirana4
1991-92Egaleo
1992-93Egaleo (?)
1993-94Egaleo (?)
1994-95SK Tirana11
1996-97SK Tirana2
TOTAL140

International

Source:[9][10]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Albania 198010
198120
198230
198310
198431
198540
198620
198820
199120
199210
199410
Total221

References
  1. "Agustin Kola, Mjeshtër i Merituar sporti, një nga ikonat e futbollit bardheblu" [Agustin Kola, Deserved Sports Master, one of the whiteblue's football icons] (in Albanian). Zemra Shqiptare. 8 February 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  2. Sejamini, Agron (8 February 2009). "Grinta dhe sedra bardheblu". Zemra Shqiptare. Archived from the original on 21 November 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  3. Agustin Kola: “Sekreti i Tiranës është grupi” - Telegraf (in Albanian)
  4. "Agustin Kola - national football team player". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  5. "Flamurtari i rrëmben Tiranës Kupën dhe UEFA-n" [Flamurtari takes from Tirana the cup and UEFA]. BalkanWeb.com (in Albanian). Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve. 7 May 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  6. "Tirana, 24 here kampione e Shqiperise" [Tirana, 24 times champion of Albania]. Top-Channel.tv (in Albanian). Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  7. "Kthehet Shqipëri – Gjermani, miqësore veteranësh" [Albania – Germany returns, veterans friendly] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  8. "Historia përsëritet, Gjermania mund sërish 4-3 Shqipërinë" [The history repeated, Germany defeats Albania again 4-3] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  9. "Agustin Kola". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  10. "Agustin Kola - national football team player". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
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