When we are insulted by Moldova and Romania

Kosovo's victory in handball against Romania, on March 14, 2021 in Bucharest, can serve as motivation. Some of the Romanians, who left the gym after the match in Bucharest, may have hoped to embarrass Kosovo. But the opposite happened. "We lost to the representative of a country that is no bigger than our village", declared a famous former Romanian handball player, revolted by the result of the match. His statement was met with derision in Kosovo. And we would all like the statement of frustration from the Romanians to have after two matches in the framework of the qualifiers for "Euro 2024"

"We cannot play in Kosovo and Kosovo cannot play in Moldova either."

This was the statement that the Turkish Engin Firat, then Moldova's football coach, gave on March 3, 2020. Firat had spoken with respect about Kosovo's strength on the green field. But even the political side of his statement made a big fuss.

Kosovo was part of FIFA and UEFA for many years. He participated in all international competitions and the enthusiasm for the representative team was at its peak. The representative of our country had completed the regular qualifications for "Euro 2020" a month earlier. He had scored victories against the Czech Republic, Montenegro and Bulgaria. He had held up pretty well against England in the first match as well. It was ranked third in a strong group and was getting ready for the playoffs for European qualification.

And in this good moment of Kosovo, when many and ardent fans already saw the football representative in Europe, Firat touched on an issue that cannot be separated from our representative - the political side. Moreover, it affected our pride, at least the ardent fans who already saw the representative at another level, significantly higher than Moldova.

Firat's statement was considered insulting and demeaning. We didn't accept that the coach of a country like Moldova, without any success or level in football, told us bluntly: You can't play for us and we don't play for you.

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Two and a half years later, little has changed in this regard. Another draw and more insults. This time from Romania.

A Romanian politician, who has held high positions in the past, gave the proposal that caused a sensation in Romania as well as in Kosovo. He said that Romania should not play against Kosovo even with the condition that they lose the matches with the result 3:0. According to the politician, the Football Federation of Romania should adhere to the policy of the Romanian state, which does not recognize Kosovo.

His statement was widely published, the Romanian Federation addressed the Government, while the Romanian Government also declared.

It is unthinkable for Romania to give up the matches with Kosovo, which belong to the qualifiers for the 2024 European Football Championship. The consequences for Romanian football would be huge. The European Football Confederation is not believed to allow such a thing.

Even the Government of Romania has emphasized that sport should not be mixed with politics, making it clear that the matches will be played.

But, the statement achieved the effect. It became news, not only in Romania, and sparked outrage in Kosovo.

Due to the political situation, namely the fact that the state of Kosovo is not recognized by a part of the European and world countries, political issues were inseparable for the representative of Kosovo from where she started with qualifications.

The first taste of discrimination, namely unequal treatment, was given to us by Ukraine, whose support is now considered great in Kosovo. Ukraine, which is facing the invasion of Russia, has for a long time had the most ironic attitude towards Kosovar athletes. Our athletes have not been allowed to enter the territory of Ukraine at all. Thus, the qualifying match for the "2018 World Cup" between Ukraine and Kosovo was played in Krakow, Poland, on October 9, 2016. Even then, some Ukrainian clubs were forced to play in other cities, due to the conflict with the pro-Russians. But, with Russia, they had not reflected on Ukraine's attitude towards Kosovo. Only two or three years ago, Ukraine began to allow Kosovar athletes to enter its territory.

From the countries that do not know us, Kosovo then played with Azerbaijan. The first match was played in Baku.

Moldova really refused to accept Kosovo in its territory. The match of September 3, 2020, Moldova - Kosovo, was played in Parma, Italy. And the discrimination that was done to us had not served much as a motivation for the Kosovo players. The match ended "only" 1:1. The Moldovans were then forced to play in Kosovo, just like all the other representatives.

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With Greece, which also does not recognize our country, there have been no problems regarding the development of matches in its territory, although recently the behavior of Greek fans was anti-Kosovo.

The discriminatory attitude of Spain was also expected. The Spanish welcomed us in Sevilla and came to Pristina, but the way Kosovo was presented was very discriminatory. Georgia is another country that does not recognize our state and with which we played as a representative.

Cyprus is one of the five countries of the European Union that does not recognize Kosovo, but it has not presented any problems on the "field" of football.

Armenia also does not recognize Kosovo, while the friendly match was arranged against it on November 16. This is proof that Armenia, however, does not have any discriminatory attitude towards Kosovar football.

And in the qualifications for "Euro 2024" there is not one, but two problematic representatives. Apart from Romania, Kosovo is not recognized by Belarus either. Belarus currently has to play its home matches on neutral territory and without the presence of spectators. The Belarusians have thought of playing the matches in Serbia. But, eventually, the match with Kosovo will not be played in Serbia.

Without any radical change, as far as the political situation is concerned, the representative of Kosovo will also face problems of this kind in the future. Every time a lot will be drawn, there may be trouble like the former Moldovan coach and the Romanian politician.

UEFA does not allow Kosovo's matches with Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina (due to Serbian influence) and Russia (currently suspended). However, it allows Kosovo's matches with all other European representatives. So, even in the future draws, there will be representatives of countries that do not recognize us in the group with Kosovo.

The football representative cannot change this reality. But it can be motivated by these developments. And it should be motivated.

Kosovo's victory in handball against Romania, on March 14, 2021 in Bucharest, can serve as motivation. Some of the Romanians, who left the gym after the match in Bucharest, may have hoped to embarrass Kosovo. But the opposite happened.

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"We lost to the representative of a country that is no bigger than our village", declared a famous former Romanian handball player, revolted by the result of the match.

His statement was met with derision in Kosovo. And we would all like the statement of frustration from the Romanians even after two matches in the qualifiers for "Euro 2024".