September 6 – Valon Berisha became an overnight hero as he carved his name in footballing history by equalising for Kosovo in their first ever competitive international fixture on Monday.
Berisha was one of a handful of players given permission by FIFA to switch nationality just a few hours before the World Cup qualifier in Finland and the former Norwegian international tucked away a penalty on the hour to earn a 1-1 draw and spark delirious celebrations among teammates and Kosovan officials.
FIFA does not usually allow senior players to play for two different nations but has made an exception for Kosovo, who were only accepted as members of world football’s governing body in May despite fierce opposition from Serbia from which Kosovo declared independence in 2008.
Red Bull Salzburg midfielder midfielder Berisha was born in Sweden to Kosovan parents, but grew up in Norway for whom he played 19 games. He was the last of six players with Kosovan roots to receive permission to switch along with five Albanian internationals in what was one of the most symbolic occasions in recent footballing history with the Kosovan diaspora from across Europe now coming together to form a team of their own.
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