Qarabag FK Logo URL: How to Use the Official Branding of the First Azerbaijani Team to Reach the UEF

Qarabag FK: The Horsemen of Azerbaijani Football

If you are a fan of European football, you may have heard of Qarabag FK, a club from Azerbaijan that has been making waves in recent years. But who are they and what do they stand for? In this article, we will explore the history, achievements, and current situation of Qarabag FK, one of the most remarkable clubs in world football.

qarabag fk logo url

Download File

Introduction

Who are Qarabag FK and what do they represent?

Qarabag FK is an Azerbaijani professional football club, based in Baku, that competes in the Azerbaijan Premier League, the top flight of Azerbaijani football. The club originates from Aghdam, a city that was occupied by Armenian forces in 1993 during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. Since then, the club has not played in its hometown and is now based in the capital city of Baku.

The name Qarabag means "black garden" in Azerbaijani, and refers to the historical region of Karabakh, where Aghdam is located. The club's nickname is Atlilar, which means "The Horsemen" in Turkish, and reflects the equestrian culture of the region. The club's logo features a black horse on a white background, symbolizing strength, courage, and freedom.

Qarabag FK is more than just a football club; it is a symbol of hope and resilience for the people of Aghdam and Karabakh, who have suffered from war and displacement. The club's motto is "Qarabağ Azərbaycandır", which means "Karabakh is Azerbaijan" in Azerbaijani, and expresses their desire to return to their homeland one day.

What are their achievements and history?

Qarabag FK is one of the most successful clubs in Azerbaijan, having won the Premier League ten times and the Azerbaijan Cup seven times. They are also the first and only Azerbaijani club to reach the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, competing in the 201718 season. They have played more UEFA matches than any other Azerbaijani team.

The club was founded in 1951 as Mehsul, and later changed its name to Shafaq, Cooperative Society, and finally Qarabag in 1988. They were one of the founding members of the Azerbaijan Premier League in 1992, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. They won their first league title in 1993, becoming the first non-Baku-based club to do so.

The club's history has been marked by war, exile, and financial struggles, but also by determination, passion, and ambition. They have overcome many challenges and achieved many milestones, becoming a source of pride and inspiration for many fans around the world.

Qarabağ FK Wikipedia page

Qarabağ FK official website

Qarabağ FK Azerbaijan Premier League champions

Qarabağ FK UEFA Champions League group stage

Qarabağ FK history and origins

Qarabağ FK Agdam city and Imarat Stadium

Qarabağ FK First Nagorno-Karabakh War and relocation

Qarabağ FK Allahverdi Baghirov and Mushfig Huseynov

Qarabağ FK European competition results and records

Qarabağ FK current squad and transfers

Qarabağ FK fixtures and results 2022-2023 season

Qarabağ FK news and updates

Qarabağ FK fan club and merchandise

Qarabağ FK social media accounts and hashtags

Qarabağ FK live stream and TV channels

Qarabağ FK tickets and stadium information

Qarabağ FK manager and coaching staff

Qarabağ FK awards and achievements

Qarabağ FK rivals and derby matches

Qarabağ FK statistics and analytics

Qarabağ FK wallpapers and screensavers

Qarabağ FK sponsors and partners

Qarabağ FK academy and youth teams

Qarabağ FK legends and hall of fame

Qarabağ FK trivia and facts

Qarabağ FK anthem and chants

Qarabağ FK videos and highlights

Qarabağ FK podcasts and blogs

Qarabağ FK forums and communities

Qarabağ FK memes and jokes

The Origins of Qarabag FK

How did the club start and grow in the Soviet era?

The club was founded in 1951 as Mehsul, after the Aghdam city stadium was built. There then began a serious effort towards the creation of a professional football team in Aghdam.

The club played in the lower divisions of the Soviet football system, and changed its name several times. In 1966, they became Shafaq, meaning "dawn" in Azerbaijani. In 1977, they became Cooperative Society, after the local agricultural cooperative that sponsored them. In 1982, they were promoted to the second tier of Soviet football, the Soviet First League, for the first time.

In 1988, the club adopted its current name, Qarabag, after the Karabakh region where Aghdam is situated. The club also adopted its distinctive black and white colors and horse logo. The club's performance improved under the guidance of coach Allahverdi Bagirov, a former player and a war hero. In 1991, they finished fourth in their group in the Soviet First League, their best result ever.

How did the Nagorno-Karabakh War affect the club and its hometown?

The Nagorno-Karabakh War was a conflict that erupted in 1988 between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly Armenian-populated region within Azerbaijan. The war lasted until 1994, and resulted in the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas by Armenian forces.

The war had a devastating impact on Qarabag FK and its hometown of Aghdam. The city was shelled and besieged by Armenian troops, forcing many residents to flee or take shelter in basements. The club's stadium was destroyed, and many players and staff members were killed or wounded. The club's coach, Allahverdi Bagirov, was killed in 1992 while defending Aghdam from Armenian attacks.

The club was forced to leave Aghdam in 1993, after the city fell to Armenian forces. The club became homeless, and had to play its home games in various locations across Azerbaijan. The club also faced financial difficulties, as many sponsors withdrew their support. The club's players and fans endured hardship and sorrow, but never gave up on their dream of returning to their homeland one day.

The Rise of Qarabag FK in Azerbaijan and Europe

How did the club become one of the most successful in Azerbaijan?

Despite the challenges posed by war and exile, Qarabag FK managed to become one of the most successful clubs in Azerbaijan. They won their first league title in 1993, becoming the first non-Baku-based club to do so. They also won the Azerbaijan Cup in 1994 and 2006.

The club's fortunes improved significantly after 2001, when they were taken over by Azersun Holding, a major food company in Azerbaijan. The new owners invested heavily in the club, providing better facilities, equipment, and salaries. They also hired experienced coaches and players from abroad, such as Gurban Gurbanov, Rashad Sadygov, Reynaldo Teixeira Silva, and Vugar Nadirov.

The club dominated Azerbaijani football in the 2010s, winning nine league titles and five cups between 2011 and 2020. They also established a fierce rivalry with Neftchi Baku, another powerhouse of Azerbaijani football. The club's fans are known for their passionate and loyal support, often traveling long distances to cheer for their team.

How did the club make history in European competitions?

Qarabag FK also made history in European competitions, becoming the first and only Azerbaijani club to reach the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. They achieved this feat by overcoming some of the best teams in Europe, such as FC Copenhagen, FC Twente, Anderlecht, PAOK Salonika, and Atletico Madrid.

The club's debut in the UEFA Champions League group stage was in the 201718 season, where they faced Chelsea FC (England), AS Roma (Italy), and Atletico Madrid (Spain). They earned two draws against Atletico Madrid (00 at home and 11 away), becoming the first Azerbaijani club to earn points in the Champions League group stage. They also scored their first goal in the competition through Michel Medeiros de Oliveira against Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge (60 defeat).

The club also participated in four consecutive UEFA Europa League group stages from 2014 to 2017, where they faced teams such as Inter Milan (Italy), AS Monaco (France), Tottenham Hotspur (England), and Fiorentina (Italy). They reached the round of 32 in the 201415 and 201617 seasons, where they were eliminated by Olympiacos (Greece) and ACF Fiorentina (Italy), respectively.

The club's most memorable European match was in the 201920 UEFA Europa League group stage, where they hosted Sevilla FC (Spain), the record holders of the competition with six titles. The match ended in a thrilling 33 draw, with Qarabag FK scoring three goals in the last 12 minutes to equalize. The club's fans celebrated the result as if it was a victory, and praised their team for their fighting spirit.

The Current Situation of Qarabag FK

What are the challenges and opportunities for the club?

Qarabag FK faces several challenges and opportunities in the present and future. One of the main challenges is the ongoing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, which has flared up again in 2020, resulting in renewed violence and casualties. The club's players and staff have expressed their solidarity with the Azerbaijani people and army, and have dedicated their victories to the martyrs of the war. The club's president, Abdolbari Goozal, has vowed to rebuild the club's stadium in Aghdam once the city is liberated.

Another challenge is the competition from other Azerbaijani clubs, especially Neftchi Baku, who have ended Qarabag FK's dominance in domestic football by winning the league title in 2021. The club also faces financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected their revenues from ticket sales, sponsorships, and broadcasting rights. The club has had to reduce its budget and sell some of its key players, such as Mahir Emreli, Abdellah Zoubir, and Wilde-Donald Guerrier.

However, the club also has many opportunities to grow and improve. One of them is the development of young talents from their academy, such as Urfan Abbasov, Tural Bayramov, and Elvin Jafarguliyev. The club has also signed promising players from abroad, such as Filip Ozobic, Owusu Kwabena, and Jaime Romero. The club's coach, Gurban Gurbanov, is one of the most experienced and respected in Azerbaijan, having led the team since 2008.

Another opportunity is the participation in European competitions, which gives the club exposure and prestige. The club has qualified for the 202122 UEFA Europa Conference League, where they will face teams such as Basel (Switzerland), Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan), and Omonoia Nicosia (Cyprus). The club hopes to advance to the knockout stages and repeat their previous successes.

Conclusion

What are the main points to remember about Qarabag FK?

Qarabag FK is a remarkable club that has overcome war, exile, and hardship to become one of the most successful and respected clubs in Azerbaijan and Europe. They are more than just a football club; they are a symbol of hope and resilience for the people of Aghdam and Karabakh. They have achieved many milestones and made history in domestic and European competitions. They have a passionate and loyal fan base that supports them through thick and thin. They have a distinctive identity and culture that reflects their origins and values.

Qarabag FK is a club that deserves admiration and recognition for their achievements and spirit. They are a club that never gives up on their dreams and goals. They are a club that represents Karabakh as Azerbaijan.

FAQs

• What does Qarabag FK mean?

Qarabag FK means "black garden" in Azerbaijani, and refers to the historical region of Karabakh, where Aghdam is located.

• What is Qarabag FK's nickname?

Qarabag FK's nickname is Atlilar, which means "The Horsemen" in Turkish, and reflects the equestrian culture of the region.

• What is Qarabag FK's logo?

Qarabag FK's logo features a black horse on a white background, symbolizing strength, courage, and freedom.

• Where does Qarabag FK play its home games?

Qarabag FK plays its home games at the Azersun Arena, a 5,800-capacity stadium in Baku. The club has not played in its original hometown of Aghdam since 1993, due to the occupation by Armenian forces.

• Who is Qarabag FK's coach?

Qarabag FK's coach is Gurban Gurbanov, a former player and the all-time top scorer of the Azerbaijan national team. He has been in charge of the club since 2008, and has led them to ten league titles and seven cups.

44f88ac181