| Football in Albania | |
|---|---|
 TheArena Kombëtare during inauguration match between Albania and France | |
| Country | Albania |
| Governing body | Albanian Football Association |
| National team | Men's national team |
| National competitions | |
| Club competitions | |
| |
| International competitions | |
Football is the most popular sport in Albania, both at a participatory and spectator level.[1][2] The sport is governed by theAlbanian Football Federation (FSHF) (Albanian:Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit).
Football arrived in Albania at the beginning of the 20th century. The first recorded match was between students at a Christian mission inShkodër. The game increased in popularity and by 1919 the first club,KS Vllaznia Shkodër, had been founded. In 1920SK Tirana was founded. Other towns and cities followed suit and on 6 June 1930 theFootball Association of Albania (FSHF) was established. The association became a member of football's governing bodyFIFA in 1932, and joined the European governing bodyUEFA in 1954 as a founding member.
A domestic championship began in 1930 with 6 teams.KF Tirana were the inaugural winners. They, together with such sides areKS Dinamo Tirana,Vllaznia Shkodër andFK Partizani, have continued to dominate the Albanian scene until the present day. The years followingWorld War II saw a new political order, with the introduction of a communist system which had a positive impact as far as the game's appeal was concerned. Football was used as popular entertainment. Its infrastructure grew stronger as the game was organized and developed in state enterprises, schools, villages and towns. New institutional clubs were founded such asPartizani Tirana (1946) andDinamo Tirana (1950) (governed respectively by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Internal Affairs).[3] Until 1990 they were privileged in relation to the other clubs as they were able to get players from other teams.
From 1991, there were crucial political and economic changes that had a tremendous effect on the nation, as the centralized economy and political system came to an end. The result for the country's footballers was an opportunity to play their trade on foreign fields. Neighbouring Greece and the Balkan states were popular destinations for players who were good enough to go abroad.[citation needed]
The Albanian league is split into 4 divisions. TheAlbanian Superliga (Albanian:Kategoria Superiore) was formed in 1930. In 1998 it took its current name and is the highest level of Albanian Football. It currently comprises 10 teams. The Superliga displaced theFirst Division (Albanian:Kategoria e Parë) as the top division, and this is now Albanian Football's second tier. Below this isSecond Division (Albanian:Kategoria e Dytë), which is divided geographically into A & B.
The winners of the league are entitled to compete in theUEFA Champions League at the First qualifying round stage. The runners-up are entitled to compete in theUEFA Conference League, also at the First qualifying round stage.KF Tirana hold the record for Albanian league titles, with 26.
Level | League(s)/Division(s) |
1 | Kategoria Superiore |
| ↓↑ 2-3 clubs | |
2 | Kategoria e Parë |
| ↓↑ 2-4 clubs | |
3 | Kategoria e Dytë |
| ↓↑ 2-4 clubs | |
4 | Kategoria e Tretë |
TheAlbanian Football Cup (Albanian:Kupa e Shqipërisë), which is the country's main knockout cup competition, was established in 1939. The winners are entitled to compete in theUEFA Europa League, at the First qualifying round stage. The most successful team in this competition,KF Partizani Tirana, has won the cup 15 times.
TheAlbanian Supercup, which started in 1989, is a single match played at the beginning of the season between the winners of the Superliga and the Albanian Cup. The most successful team in this competition,KF Tirana, has won 9 times.
The highest levels of amateur football are theSunday League Tiranë orSunday League Korçë, reached through the Kupa Amatore.
Kategoria Amatore I is thesecond highest division of amateur football in Albania and hence the sixth highest league. In the 2017-18 season, 10 teams are participating, among which some of them are reserve teams. The team in last place drops toKategoria Amatore II.[4] In 2017-2018 the teams in Kategoria Amatore I were:
| Team | Location |
|---|---|
| Akademia Arena | Tirana |
| Butrinti B | Sarandë |
| Dajti | Tirana |
| Dinamo City B | Tirana |
| Luftëtari B | Gjirokastër |
| Partizani C | Tirana |
| Pasioni | Tirana |
| Shqiponja | Velipojë |
| Tirana C | Tirana |
| Vlora | Vlorë |
Albanian football clubs have a long history in European football. The most successful clubs in the past wereKF Tirana andFlamurtari FC as well asFK Partizani Tirana. In recent historyKF Skënderbeu Korçë were quite successful in theUEFA Europa League.
The first Albanian club to enter the European Cup wasFK Partizani Tirana in1962-63 playing in the first round againstNorrköping losing out after two legs despite drawing at home with 1–1 in the second leg.[5] The following year, Partizani won their first-ever match in the European Cup1963-64 in the first leg againstPlovdiv through a goal fromKolec Kraja. In the second leg away from home, Partizani nearly qualified for the second round but lost 1-3 despite a goal fromPanajot Pano.[6] One year later in1964–65 Partizani Tirana faced1. FC Köln from Germany in the preliminary round. The Albanians surprised the Germans and held a 0–0 draw at home.[7] In the second leg inCologne Partizani Tirana lost the match 0–2.
KF Tirana first entered the European Football scene in1969-70. After losing the first leg against Belgian teamStandard Liège 0–3 away from home, they drew at home 1–1 thanks to a late goal fromJosif Kazanxhi.
In the following year, KF Tirana facedEredivisie teamAFC Ajax in the1970–71 European Cup in the first round. Tirana drew Ajax 2–2 after losing 0–2 at home. The Albanians equalized the game thanks to goals fromJosif Kazanxhi and Ceco.[8] Tirana faced Ajax in the second leg at theOlympisch Stadion inAmsterdam.Ajax won the game 2–0 and went on to win the Cup.[9]
KF Vllaznia Shkodër debuted at theEuropean Cup 1978-79 facing FKAustria Wien in the first round. Vllaznia beat Austria in the first leg 2–0 with goals fromMedin Zhega andShyqyri Ballgjini.[10] In the following match, Vllaznia had good chances to qualify as the first Albanian football club in the round of 16. The hopes were dashed for Vllaznia as they lost with 4–1 away inWien.[11]
Partizani Tirana qualified for the Cup for the fourth time in1979–80 and beatCeltic 1–0 in the first match with a header fromAgim Murati in the 35th minute.[12] Celtic turned things around and beat Partizani 4–1 despite an own goal in theCeltic Park inGlasgow.[13]
Two years later in the1981–82 European Cup, Partizani Tirana faced Austria Wien in the first round. Partizani lost the first leg away match 1–3.[14] The Albanians played the second leg at home in theQemal Stafa Stadium and won 1–0.Haxhi Ballgjini scored the goal for Partizani in the 31st minute. Partizani needed to score two goals to qualify into the second round, and they were eliminated from the competition despite the victory.[15]
The following year at the1982–83 European Cup KF Tirana facedLinfield F.C. in the first round. The teams played the first leg inTirana. Tirana won the match 1–0 with a goal fromAgustin Kola.[16] In the second leg match, Tirana faced Linfied atWindsor Park inBelfast.Arben Minga scored in the 28th minute, but Linfied scored two quick goals in the final minutes of the match. Despite the 2–1 away loss, KF Tirana qualified as the first Albanian football club in history for the round of 16 in theEuropean Cup.[17] The team would have played againstDynamo Kyiv in the round of 16, but Tirana did not participate.[18]
After several years without success for Albania, KF Tirana competed for the sixth time in history at theEuropean Cup in 1988-89.[19] The team faced theHamrun Spartans fromMalta in the first round. In the first leg, they played away from home atNational Stadium inTa' Qali. KF Tirana started with a goal fromAnesti Stoja in the 5th minute, but Ħamrun scored two goals to win the match 2–1.[20] In the second leg, Tirana defeated the Spartans 2–0 to qualify for the round of 16.[21] In the first leg of the round of 16, Tirana facedIFK Göteborg at home and lost the match 0–3.[22] Tirana defeated IFK Göteborg 1–0 in the second leg atUllevi stadium but did not qualify for the quarter-finals.
In the followingEuropean Cup in 1989–90, KF Tirana faced Maltese teamSliema Wanderers F.C. in the first round. The first leg was played away from home in theNational Stadium. The Albanians lost 0–1. KF Tirana won the second leg game 5–0 with goals fromAgustin Kola, Bardhi,Hodja, andFlorian Riza to advance to the round of 16 for the third time in the club's history.[23] In the round of 16, KF Tirana facedBundesliga teamFC Bayern Munich fromGermany. In the first leg at theOlympiastadion inMunich, KF Tirana lost 3–1.[24] In the second match, Tirana facedBayern athome and lost 0–3.[25]
Albania did not compete in theUEFA Cup as much as they did in theUEFA Cup Winners' Cup or in theEuropean Cup, despite Albania's success in the late '80s.Flamutari Vlora[26] and, in recent years,KF Skënderbeu Korçë have been the most successful Albanian teams in the UEFA Cup.
Dinamo Tirana became the first Albanian football team to debut in theUEFA Cup during the1981-82 competition. In the first round, they facedCarl Zeiss Jena fromEast Germany.[27] In the first leg, Dinamo faced the opposition at home atSelman Stërmasi Stadium, winning 1–0 with a goal fromVasillaq Zëri.[28] Dinamo Tirana had to travel toJena to face Carl Zeiss atErnst-Abbe-Sportfeld in the second leg. The Albanians lost 4–0 and failed to qualify for the second round.
In the1985–86 UEFA Cup Dinamo Tirana faced the Ħamrun Spartans from Malta. In the first leg,Dinamo defeated the Spartans 1–0 at home with a goal fromEduard Abazi. Dinamo drew the away game in the second leg 0–0 to qualify as the first Albanian football club in the second round. In the second round, Dinamo Tirana faced Portuguese sideSporting Lisabon. In the first leg, Tirana held a 0–0 draw at home. Away from home atJosé Alvalade Stadium inLisbon, Tirana lost 0–1 and was knocked out of the competition.[29]
Flamurtari Vlora debuted at the UEFA Cup 1986–87. They facedFC Barcelona in the first round.[30] The teams played the first leg at theFlamurtari Stadium. Flamutari put themselves in front with a goal fromVasil Ruci[31] in the 68 minute. Barcelona equalized in the 88th minute to secure a 1–1 draw inVlora. In the second leg, Flamutari traveled toSpain to faceBarcelona atCamp Nou. The game ended in a 0–0 draw. Barcelona advanced and knocked Flamutari out of the competition due to the away rule.[32]
Flamutari qualified for a second consecutiveUEFA Cup in1987–88. Flamutari faced in the first round Yugoslavian sidePartizan Belgrad. Flamutari won the first leg match at home 2–0 through an own goal and a goal fromRoland Iljadhi.[33][34] The teams played the second leg atPartizan Stadium in Belgrade. The situation was tense between the Albanians and Serbians, due to the political unrest inKosovo. Partizan led the match 2–0 until Sokol Kushta scored to clinch a 2–1 result and advance Flamutari to the second round for the first time in the history for Albania in the UEFA Cup.[35][36][37][38]
Flamutari Vlora faced East German sideWismut Aue in the second round. Flamutari lost the first leg match at theOtto-Grotewohl-Stadion inAue 1–0. They won the second leg match at home 2–0 with goals fromRrapo Taho andVasil Ruci to become the first Albanian team to qualify for the round of 16 in the UEFA Cup. They also became the first Albanian side to beat two clubs in a UEFA competition after two rounds were played.[39][40]
Flamutari facedFC Barcelona for the second time in their history in the third round at theCamp Nou. Flamutari was down 1–0 at halftime, but three quick goals in the second half put Barca up 4–0.Vasil Ruci scored a penalty kick to bring the final score to 4–1. In the following leg, Flamutari defeated Barca 1–0 in the fully crowdedFlamurtari Stadium inVlora with a goal fromSokol Kushta. Despite the win, Flamutari did not qualify for the quarterfinals.[41] As of May 2022, Flamutari's 1987–88 UEFA Cup performance was the most successful result for Albania in a UEFA competition.[42][43][44]
Several Albanian football clubs, includingKF Besa Kavajë,KF Tirana, andKF Vllaznia Shkodër have participated in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
Albania's debut at the competition came in1968-69 whenFK Partizani Tirana faced Italian sideTorino F.C. In the first leg, Partizani Tirana defeated Torino at home.[45] In the second leg, the Albanians lost 3–1 away and failed to advance to the quarterfinals. Torino advanced directly to the quarterfinals after the match.[46]
In the1970–71 European Cup Winners' Cup,Partizani Tirana faced Swedish teamÅtvidabergs FF in the preliminary round in theKopparvallen. Partizani drew the away match 1–1. In the following legat home, the Albanians won 2–0 with goals fromPanajot Pano andRamazan Rragami.[47] The round was the first time Partizani advanced in a UEFA competition after drawing in the first leg.[45]
At the following1971–72 European Cup Winners' Cup, Dinamo Tirana debuted against Austrian sideAustria Wien. Dinamo held a 1–1 draw at home with a penalty goal fromIljaz Çeço.[48] At the following game at thePraterstadion inVienna, the Albanians lost 1–0 and failed to advance to the round of sixteen.[49]
In the following1972-73 UEFA Cup Winners' season,KF Besa Kavajë debuted in the first round againstFremad Amager fromDenmark. The Albanians drew away from home 1–1 and secured a 0–0 draw at home to become the first Albanian club to advance to the round of sixteen at the competition.[50]
The Albanians faced Scottish sideHibernian in the round of sixteen. In the first leg away, Besa lost 7–1 despite a goal from M.Kariqi. In the following leg at theBesa Stadium, the Albanians failed to make up the six goal deficit and were knocked out of the competition, drawing 1–1 with a goal from K.Pagria.[51]
After some years in which Albania couldn't take place at this competition, they would return several years later in1980-81 in whichFK Partizani Tirana, facedMalmö from Sweden. In the first round. Despite a close match they would lose the first leg with 1–0 away. Notably they drew their home leg with 0–0, still not enough to qualify further.[52]
Two years later in the1982-83 edition Dinamo Tirana faced in the first roundAberdeen F.C. from Scotland. In the first leg they would lose close with 1–0 despite playing a good match. At the second leg they couldn't overcome a 0–0 in Tirana and so left the competition once again in the first round.[53] Notable fact Aberdeen would than go on and eventually win the competition that particular year, after winning againstReal Madrid in the finals.[54]
In the1983-84 edition17 Nëntori Tirana would make their debut, at this competition. Their first tie was against Swedish sideHammarby. Away from home they couldn't compete against the opponent, as they faced a staggering defeat in theSöderstadion with 4–0 in the end. Despite losing the first match, in the second leg they, improved on their performance. Winning at home with 2–1 thanks to goals fromArben Vila andSulejman Mema. Securing Albania their first win after more than 10 years, in this competition.[55]
Founded on 6 June 1930, Albania had to wait 16 years to play its first international match, which was againstYugoslavia in 1946. In 1932, Albania had already joinedFIFA (during the congress 12–16 June) and in 1954 it was one of the founding members ofUEFA. Albania was invited to play in the 1938World Cup, but did not take part due to logistical problems.
The early years oversaw a notably successfulBalkan Cup in the1946 campaign. Albania won the cup after overcomingYugoslavia on level points but a bettergoal difference. The final match ended in a 1–0 win against Romania. Four days earlier, Albania had already beaten Bulgaria 3–1. Albania wasn't expected to participate, but the withdrawal ofGreece from the tournament offered Albania a chance to join in the re-establishedpost-war cup.[56]
Albania qualified for the first time in their history at theUEFA Euro 1964 in Spain, for its first-ever major men's national football Tournament. Albania faced Greece in thefirst round. They wouldn't participate as Greece withdrew and Albania being given a walkover and advancing so to the Round of 16 in this Tournament.[57] In theRound of 16 the Albanians would faceDenmark. In the first leg they lost out with 4–0 away from home. Despite their win at the second leg in Tirana, through an early goal fromPanajot Pano. Albania couldn't progress to the quarterfinals. At the end of this tournament Albania ranked 9th.[58]It was the only time Albania was between the best 16 teams of Europe.[59]
Albania would participate for the first time in their history at the1964 Summer Olympics in themen's qualification tournament. In which the Albanians facedBulgaria in the preliminary round. Albania would lose both matches close with 0–1 against the Bulgarians, missing out on the next stage.[60] Albania then participate for the second and last time in their Football history at the1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich. In theMen's European Qualifiers they would faceRomania in the play-off stage. In the first leg they lost with 2–1 away from home despite an equalizer scored byMedin Zhega in the 55th Minute of this match. At the second leg Albania faced the Romanians in theQemal Stafa Stadium in Tirana. The Albanians started the match well asPanajot Pano puts Albania in front in the 29th minute but once again they couldn't held on to the result. As Romania scored further two goals in the end, to beat Albania once more with 1–2 this time around.[61]
Albania would face in this qualificationBelgium,Poland and their rivalsGreece. In the first match they faced Belgium inBrussels. The Albanians lost with 3–1 despite the equalizer fromBedri Omuri in the 71st minute. Albania would face away from home against Poland in theStadion Stali Mielec. They drew the result through goals from Bedri Omuri and even the leading goal fromAgustin Kola with 2-1 but at the end Poland scored again. Albania missing out on their first win, in this qualification. After that Albania famously beat Belgium at home with 2–0 in theQemal Stafa Stadium. The goals were scored byMirel Josa andArben Minga securing Albania their first and only win in this qualification.[21][62] As Albania loss their next two games against Greece away with 2-0 and against Poland at home close with 0–1. Missing out close to qualify for the1986 FIFA World Cup. In their last match they faced Greece at home inTirana. They go in front by a goal from Bedri Omuri but they couldn't hold on as Greece equalized the result in the 54th minute. At the end playing a 1–1 draw.[63] Despite finishing their campaign with four points in the third place. Albania came close to qualify as they nearly beat every opponent in this group. It was their most successful FIFA World Cup qualification in the history of Albania.
After a poor start in which Albania would draw at home againstSwitzerland with 1–1 by a goal fromEdvin Murati but lost in the next match away against Russia with 4–1 despite an earlier equalizer scored byKlodian Duro Albania sacked their managerGiuseppe Dossena[64] and replaced him with GermanHans-Peter Briegel for the following match.[65] againstRussia in theLoro Boriçi Stadium inShkodër. In which the Albanians won 3-1 through goals fromAltin Rraklli,Altin Lala andIgli Tare to secure Hans-Peter Briegel in his debut match, as a manager, his maiden win for Albania.[66][67] He led Albania to an undefeated run at home matches by drawing against Republic of Ireland 0–0 and beating in the last match Georgia 3–1 by goals fromBesnik Hasi,Igli Tare and strikerAlban Bushi. Despite the good results, Albania finished the group in the penultimate spot with eight points. Away, Albania could not score any points, but managed to score 4 goals. Missing close out on the Playoffs stage by six points.
Two months after Greece beat Portugal to win the European Championship, Albania defeated Greece 2–1 at home by two quick goals fromEdvin Murati andAdrian Aliaj, denting the Greeks' possibility to qualify. The Albanians led the table for the first time in a qualification after this match.[68][69] Albania went on to disappoint by losing to Georgia away and Denmark at home, before returning to winning ways by beating Kazakhstan 0–1 with a goal fromAlban Bushi. Then, Albania played Ukraine, Turkey, and Greece, losing all three matches. Later Albania beat Georgia 3–2 by two goals fromIgli Tare and one fromErvin Skela as well as beating Kazakhstan with 2–1 by goals fromFlorian Myrtaj and strikerErjon Bogdani. The last positive result for Albania in this qualification would be a 2–2 away draw with Ukraine whereBogdani scored two goals. At the end, Albania got 13 points, and four wins in their best result then. They surpassed for the first time in their history two nations in the qualifying standings.[70]
Albania started the qualifiers well, notably defeating Cyprus with 3–1 by goals fromArmando Sadiku,Edgar Çani andErjon Bogdani as well as beating Slovenia at home with 1–0 by a goal fromOdise Roshi.[71] which was followed by an unprecedent away win atNorway in Oslo after a stunning goal fromHamdi Salihi.[72][73] Albania would also draw against Norway at home despite leading the match with a goal fromValdet Rama, this match ending in a 1–1 draw.[74] The team was at one point 2nd with 6 matches played and 4 to spare, but failed to be successful in the last four, losing away in Slovenia and Iceland,[75][76] as well at home against Switzerland,[77] and drawing in Cyprus.[78] With De Biasi, the Albania national team reached an unprecedented high number of players, who although are ethnically Albanian, were not born in Albania, but either in Kosovo, or outside of Kosovo, while hailing fromKosovo Albania parents. In 2011–13, 14 Albanians of Kosovo origin were either part of the start-up team, or had received recent call-ups.[79]
The qualifying draw took place on 23 February 2014. Albania was drawn in Group I along withPortugal,Denmark,Serbia, andArmenia. Qualifying matches started in September 2014. Albania started the qualifiers with a historic result as they beat group favourites Portugal 1–0 away thanks to a goal fromBekim Balaj.[80] In the second match against Denmark at the newly renovatedElbasan Arena, Albania was in the lead until the 82nd minute whereLasse Vibe equalized, with the match ending 1–1. In thenext game against Serbia atPartizan Stadium, the match was abandoned in 42nd minute after several on and off the field incidents. Despite the violence by Serbia's hooligans against Albania atPartizan Stadium, Serbia was awarded the 3–0 victory after the decision byUEFA.[81] The decision was appealed by both Serbia and Albania,[82][83] but the decision was upheld by UEFA.[84] Both associations then filed further appeals to theCourt of Arbitration for Sport,[85] and on 10 July 2015 the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected the appeal filed by the Serbian FA, and upholds in part the appeal filed by the Albanian FA, meaning the match is deemed to have been forfeited by Serbia with 0–3 and they are still deducted three points.[86]
In the fourth match against Armenia at home, Albania were behind from the 4th minute after an own goal fromMërgim Mavraj, but Mavraj equalized in the 77th minute with a powerful header. Four minutes laterShkëlzen Gashi scored the winner, putting Albania in the 2nd position along with Denmark with 10 points.[87] It was the first time that Albania ended the first part of the qualifiers in the second spot. Albania made history again by beatingone-time world champions andUEFA Euro 2016 hostsFrance at theElbasan Arena in the "Group I"friendly match.[88] After a draw against Denmark, Albania clinched at least a play-off place. Despite losing to Portugal and Serbia, Albania defeated Armenia 3–0 inYerevan and qualified forUEFA Euro 2016,[89] for its first appearance at a major men's football tournament after 50 years.
Albania qualified for theUEFA Euro 2016 held in France. They were drawn in a strong group with the host France, Switzerland and Romania. In their second ever campaign Albania started their first Groupstage Match againstSwitzerland. Despite being 0–1 down after an unlucky conceded goal from F.Schär in the 5th minute.[cleanup needed] Albania did play a strong match even though with 10 men becauseLorik Cana got a red card for holding the ball with his hand in the 36th minute. Albania did everything in the second half and had 6 minutes before the end an amazing chance to equalize in the closing stage of the match, to get a deserved draw butShkelzen Gashi missed a sitter in front off the goal. Despite that the Albanian team was praised by the football community for their strong performance.[90] Albania would play againstFrance in their second group game. Until the end Albania hold in Marseille a strong 0–0 draw but in the end Albania conceded two goals fromAntoine Griezmann andDimitri Payet to lose in the end with 2–0. Albania would face in their last Groupstage matchRomania. Albania would win this match with 0–1 by a beautiful header scored byArmando Sadiku in the 43rd minute. In the second half Albania defended the result and secured their first win after 50 years in aUEFA European Championship in their history. However, the team finished last among the third-placed teams and didn't progress beyond the group stage.[91]
In 2020, Albania won for the first time a group by finishing first in group 4 ofUEFA Nations League C. Albania also won a spot for the play-offs of 2022 World Cup and was promoted inUEFA Nations League B.
After their close miss to qualify for the2022 FIFA World Cup in Katar, in which Albania finished third in the Group with a record of six wins and 18 points along the way.[92] Notably beatingHungary twice in fact with the same score.[93] Albania would depart its way withEdoardo Reja after a shocking display for Albania in the2022–23 UEFA Nations LeagueGroup 2 in Division B.[94] In which the Albanians were performing badly especially againstIsrael losing at home 1–2 and away with the same score. Securing only two points in total both againstIceland 1–1 and 1–1 away as well. Still Albania secured another year in the same Division B afterRussia being excluded from Group 2 in the first place.[95]
In theUEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group E Albania were drawn together withCzech Republic,Poland,Faroe Islands andMoldova.[96] In which the new coachSylvinho gave his debut for the Country.[97] Albania lost his first match againstPoland away close with 1-0 despite playing well.[98] In the following matches Albania wouldn't lose any of them. BeatingMoldova at home 2–0 withJasir Asani scoring the goal of the Matchday for his side.[99] Followed by a win against theFaroe Islands 1–3 away in whichKristjan Asllani scored a beautiful UEFA Match day winning goal for the second time running for Albania in their campaign.[100] After a hard-earned 1–1 draw in Prague against theCzech Republic with a screamer goal fromNedim Bajrami.[101] The Albanians were able to beatPoland in theArena Kombëtare with 2–0 and anotherJasir Asani mega goal.[102] For the third time Albania scored the most beautiful goal of the Matchday.[103] They would also beat theCzech Republic with a dominant 3–0 display.[104] Albania would secure the Qualification for the second time in the History for theUEFA European Championship at theUEFA Euro 2024[105] in Germany, after drawing toMoldova 1–1 despite leading most of the match.[106][107] Although drawing once more against theFaroe Islands Albania would finish the qualifications in the first place with 15 Points for the first time ever in their history.[108] Being also eight Matches unbeaten during that period.[109] They secured the second pot for the UEFA Group stage draws after ranking10th in the power rankings.[110][111]
Albania Under-21 participated in theBalkan Youth Championship as a successor to theUnder-23 team, in the 1976–78 and 1981 competitions, winning both with finals againstRomania andBulgaria. Notably in 1978, the second leg of the final match against Romania was characterized by a large Albania's win 7–1, which is the largest win ever recorded by Albania U-21.[113]
Albania Under-21s have managed to qualify only once in their history, and that came in the year of 1984 when they managed to qualify for the1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, although they were competing for the first time in such tournament. They were drawn in a very tough group which included theWest Germany,Turkey andAustria. The historic event was the first time any Albanian squad qualified for aEurope or World Championship, and is only the fifth time any Albanian squad qualified for the major championships. To this day the team that qualified for1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship are still regarded as the most successful team in Albanian football history. Albania U21 managed to qualify without losing a single game and managing two very good draws against one of the biggest and best footballing nations, West Germany.
Albania played the quarter-finals against Italy, against which it lost twice 0–1, and 0–1, in Albania and Italy respectively.[114]
Than theAlbania national under-18 football team were able to participate for the first time ever in the1982 UEFA European Under-18 Championship after beatingCyprus 4–2 on aggregate in the Playoffs.[115] in the Groupstage they faced in Group D:Scotland,Netherlands, andTurkey. Albania couldn't qualify after losing their first two matches against Scotland and the Netherlands, they secure one point against turkey in the last Groupstage match respectively. Their best result so far in their U19/18 history.[116] In the following1983 UEFA European Under-18 Championship Albania came close to qualify once more but they lost the Playoff Round againstBulgaria with 4–1 despite the close win in the second leg.[117]
TheAlbania national under-17 football team debut participating came at the1994 UEFA European Under-16 Championship in Ireland. In which Albania secured only one draw againstBelarus. Losing close before toAustria and toSpain as well.[118]
After more than thirty years without a participation the Under 17 of Albania will host the2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, who will be held in Tirana.[119]
In the past Albania produced players such asLoro Boriçi who captained theAlbania national football team, as well asPanajot Pano,Naim Kryeziu andRiza Lushta.
Naim Kryeziu started his long football career inSK Tirana where he played for six seasons winning fourKategoria Superiore between1934 and1939 as well as oneAlbanian Cup title in1938–39.[120] After 1939 he was noted by an Italian sports professor who suggested him to play forAS Roma. He then played for Roma between 1939 and 1947 scoring 27 goals and winning with them the1941–42 Serie A title. His biggest achievement in his football career.[121] Being the first Albanian footballer to win aSerie A title. He later would play successfully forS.S.C. Napoli scoring in five seasons 39 goals for the Gli Azzurris. Before retiring his footballing career in 1954. He scored 68 goals in the Seria A and is still even to this day one of the most successful Albanian footballers in the football history in Europe.
He later started a coaching career, serving also as AS Roma head coach for a short time during the1963–64 season as a replacement for Alfredo Foni.[122] he would coachA.S. Roma once more between 1970 and 1973 in his career.
Riza Lushta is a well known footballer in Albania and Italy. He started his football career inKF Tirana where he won theKategoria Superiore four times in six seasons, he played with. He would then play for Seria A sideS.S.C. Bari for the upcoming season. Where he scored three times in sixteen matches.[123] His performances with Bari attracted the interest ofJuventus Turin who he joined in 1940 after just one year with Bari. He would play for the Old Lady for five seasons. His most successful season came in the1941–42 Serie A where he scored 15 goals for Juve being the highest foreigner goalscorer in the Seria in that particular season. Lushta made history as he won withJuventus Turin the1941–42 Coppa Italia. Where he is known for his hattrick he scored againstA.C. Milan in the second leg of the finals.[124][125] Riza Lushta would be the first Albanian footballer to be a record goalscorer in theCoppa Italia with 8 goals in 6 matches.
Loro mostly played forPartizani Tirana in his footballing career, winning with them three times theKategoria Superiore as well withAlbania the1946 Balkan Cup in home soil. He had a short spell in Italy withLazio Rome where he scored three goals being the first Albanian footballer to play abroad in theSeria A.[126]
Panajot Pano is a well known football player in Albania. He spend most of his career withPartizani Tirana. Where he played for 15 years between 1960 and 1975 scoring 136 goals for them. He won with them theAlbanian Superliga four times as well as winning theAlbanian cup six times and oneBalkans Cup title in1970[127] his only international title with Partizani Tirana. He played forAlbania 24 times between 1963 and 1973 where he is known for his goal againstDenmark in the1964 European Nations' Cupround of 16 second leg securing Albania's first ever win in a tournament.[128]
Due to his skills and abilities, Pano earned the nickname "The little Puskás" by sports commentators.[129] He is also well remembered by world known players such asFranz Beckenbauer, Willi Schulz as well asFenerbahçe president of Albanian descent Myslym Bey praising him as a talented striker comparing him toPelé andEusébio.[130]
"If Panajot Pano doesn't remember me, I remember him."
In November 2003 he was selected as the Golden Player by theFootball Association of Albania as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years.[130]
On 6 March 2009, Pano received theHonor of the Nation Decoration from thePresident of Albania,Bamir Topi.[133] This was the first time in the history of Albania that a footballer was honored with the Honor of the Nation order.[134]
In recent history Albania produced top talented players such asLorik Cana he played forParis Saint-Germain F.C. which who he won theCoupe de France in2003–04 as well playing for their rivalsOlympique de Marseille. He also played for Seria A sideS.S. Lazio which who he won the2012–13 Coppa Italia.[135] Lorik Cana is the most capped player in the History offAlbania with 93 games in total. He competed with Albania at theUEFA Euro 2016 held in France. Playing two out of their three matches in the Groupstage. After that he retired as a professional football player.[136]
The most famous player at the moment isThomas Strakosha, goalkeeper forLazio in theSerie A winning with them two Coppa Italia in2012–13 and2018–19. He has won also two times theSupercoppa Italiana in2017 and2019 both against Juventus Turin.Elseid Hysaj who played in the past forS.S.C. Napoli which he won with them theCoppa Italia in2019–20.[139] He is playing right now for Lazio Rome.Berat Djimsiti is playing forAtalanta B.C.
Tifozat Kuq e Zi (English:Red and Black Fans, also known as theAlbania National Football Team Supporters Club) is anon-profitfootball supporters' association for the Albania national football team and various national team sportive activities.[140][141] It was founded on 25 December 2003.[140] In cooperation withFSHF, it organises trips for football fans to visit games, and develops and sells merchandise to support itself and fund sporting related projects.
Tifozat Kuq e Zi stands firm in the political view thatAlbanians should share only one national team and have continuous aspirations to join in one state (Një Komb, Një Kombëtare), i.e. unification of Albania, Kosovo, etc.[142][143] In this sense, TKZ is joined by different supporters' associations throughout Albanian-speaking regions mainly inKosovo (Shqiponjat ofPeja,Kuqezinjet e Jakoves ofGjakova,Plisat ofPrishtina,Torcida ofMitrovica, etc.),North Macedonia (Ballistët ofTetovë,Ilirët ofKumanovë,Shvercerat ofShkupi, etc.) and in Albania itself (Ultras Guerrils ofPartizani Tirana,Tirona Fanatics ofKF Tirana,Vllaznit Ultras ofVllaznia Shkodër,Ujqërit e Deborës ofSkënderbeu Korçë, Shqiponjat ofKF Besa Pejë and many other different Albanian fans).[140]
The ongoing dispute between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Football Association of Albania has been seen as a political intrusion byFIFA andUEFA, which led to the banning of Albania from international sportive activities. FSHF presidentArmand Duka is highly unwanted by the TKZ who have numerously asked for his resignation believing he is responsible for internal corruption in theAlbanian Football Association.[144][145][146][147]
The TKZ have been praised by many different football players and managers, whom were not just Albanian. One example is with Switzerland's former coach,Ottmar Hitzfeld, who was astonished by how many Albanian fans turned up and how enthusiastic they were in2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match betweenSwitzerland and Albania where the Swiss won 2–0 thanks to goals fromGökhan Inler and Kosovo-bornXherdan Shaqiri. He didn't believe that there was 12,000 Albanian fans in the stands which was more than how many Swiss fans turned up for the game. He stated that "Albanian fans are fantastic and the most passionate fans I have ever seen".[148] During that campaign, TKZ attended all games Albania played apart from a match againstCyprus inNicosia and were also large in numbers in the away games toSlovenia inMaribor andNorway inOslo.[149][150][151]
AsAlbania qualifies not often for international tournaments (having never qualified for theFIFA World Cup and having qualified for theUEFA European Championship twice in history, failing to make it past the group stage on both occasions), in international tournaments where Albania is absent, many Albanians choose to support another national team.
| Most supported national teams by Albanians, excludingAlbania (2022)[152] | |
|---|---|
| Team | % |
 Argentina | 10.7% |
 Brazil | 27.6% |
 England | 2.2% |
 France | 4.0% |
 Germany | 24.3% |
 Italy | 14.0% |
 Netherlands | 5.5% |
 Portugal | 4.2% |
 Spain | 3.9% |
| Other | 3.5% |
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