BERSANT CELINA
BERSANT CELINA escaped Kosovo just before the bombs began to fall.
The Swansea City striker was two when his mother Mimoza fled to Norway with him and brother Behajdin in the winter of 1998, as it became clear that civil war was inevitable.
“We left because we were scared of what would happen,” said Celina. “My dad (Eduar) had to wait a few weeks before he could join us – and we didn’t go back for almost 10 years because we couldn’t get passports or visas.
“I was lucky that I was too young to understand. “M “My mum and dad had to leave their families, I know it hurt them a lot lot. We still have a big famil family in Kosovo and I can now no visit them when I am playing for the nation national team. They will all be watching when we play En England.
“In f fact, every Kosovan will be watching. No one wants to miss this game – especially espe the million other Kosovo-Albanians who live liv all over the world after escaping from the war l like we did.”
Th The FA have opted to stage Tuesday night’s Euro 2020 qualifier at So Southampton’s St M Mary ’s Stadium r rather than Wembley. But for Kosovo, a nation that was only granted FIFA status three years ago, it’s a game that is already being viewed in a historical context.
Celina, who played in his national team’s 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic yesterday, said: “Of course, finally being accepted as an independent nation was the most important thing that has happened to our country.
“But I would say that being accepted by FIFA was the second most important thing.
“Sport is a unifying force in our country, but especially football. And if you asked anyone in Kosovo what England is famous for, the answer will always be football.
“England is the home of football and for our country to play them is a big moment for us.”
The Celina family settled in the Norwegian port city of Drammen, where Bersant and Behajdin developed a reputation for being exceptional footballers.
Both of them joined local side Stromsgodset, the club their kid brother Loti now plays for.
There was interest from Liverpool and Bersant spent some time training with Blackburn before realising his ambition of moving to England when Manchester City signed him in 2012.
A couple of first-team appearances at the Etihad were followed by loan spells at FC Twente and Ipswich before Celina moved to Swansea last summer for £2.35million.
He has already scored twice this season as the Welsh club have set the pace at the top of the Championship.
Celina has his eye on a return to the Premier League – as well as next summer’s Euro finals, with Kosovo guaranteed a playoff place, thanks to their Nations League results.
The striker played for Norway at youth and Under-21 level, but the lure of representing Kosovo was irresistible.
He added: “I will always have a lot of love and respect for Norway, but I have always felt Kosovan.
“My mum and dad taught us about Kosovan history and culture.
“I was proud to represent Norway, but, once I was invited to play for Kosovo, the decision was easy. I had to follow my heart.
“My story isn’t unusual. All the players in the squad have lived similar experiences and that gives us a very strong bond.
“We feel very emotional every time we put the shirt on.
“We are all hungry individuals because of the backgrounds we have.
“Maybe we don’t have famous individuals like England, but, when we come together as a team, we are very strong.”