Albania national football team

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Albania
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Kuq e Zinjtë (Red and Blacks)
AssociationFootball Association of Albania
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachNetherlands Arie Haan
CaptainAltin Lala
Most capsFoto Strakosha (73)
Top scorerRiza Lushta (30)
Home stadiumQemal Stafa
FIFA codeALB
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current83
Highest62 (August 2006)
Lowest124 (August 1997)
First international
Albania Albania 2 - 3 Yugoslavia Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(Tirana, Albania; October 7, 1946)
Biggest win
Turkey Turkey 1 - 4 Albania Albania
(Antalya, Turkey; January 21, 1998)
Biggest defeat
Hungary Hungary 12 - 0 Albania Albania
(Budapest, Hungary; September 24, 1950)

The Albania national football team is the national football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania. Although not considered as one of the strongest footballing sides in Europe, Albanians are passionate about their football and the national team has occasionally managed to perform well against more illustrious opponents.

Founded on June 6, 1930, Albania had to wait 16 years to play the first international match, debuting against Yugoslavia in 1946. In 1932 Albania had already joined FIFA (during the congress June 12 - June 16) and in 1954 it was one of the founding members of UEFA. Albania had been invited to play in World Cup 1934, but owing to organizing difficulties it didn't take part.

In addition to the senior football team, Albania also has teams of U21, U19, and U17 level. One of the most successful is the feeder of the senior team, the U21 level. In the finals of the Euro 1984 U21 championship they went all the way to the quarter-finals, only to be knocked out by Italy 2-0 on aggregate. They became the only Albanian team in any level to qualify for a competitive tournament. Currently Albania does not have a women's.

Most of the matches of Albanian national team have been played in Qemal Stafa. The stadium was built around the 1930s as a multi-use stadium. Today, it is mostly used for football matches. The stadium has a capacity of 19,200 spectators with 15,000 seats. Albania has also used the Loro-Boriçi stadium in Shkodra where they have had some successful matches, like beating Russia 3-1 in a home Euro 2004 qualifying match. There is a rumor that the Football Association of Albania is planning to build a stadium in Tirana with a capacity of around 30,000.

Albania has an official supporters' association, the Tifozat Kuq e Zi who self-finance their activities using help from FSHF to arrange traveling and stadium visits for the matches.[1]

On December 2007, Albanian Football Federation president Armando Duka announced Arie Haan would replace Croatia's Otto Baric as Albania head coach. He signed a two-year contract on January 4, 2008. [2]

Albania start their FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifying campaign against Sweden on September 6, 2008. They have been drawn in Group 1 with Sweden, Portugal, Denmark, Hungary and Malta.

On March 14, 2008, Albania was suspended from international football (FIFA and UEFA) due to heavy political interference in the FA. The suspension lasted 46 days.[3] [4][5]

History

The early years oversaw a notably successful Balkan Cup in the 1946 campaign. Albania won the cup after overcoming Yugoslavia on level points but a better goal difference. The final match was played and won against Romania 1-0. Four days earlier, Albania had already beaten Bulgaria 3-1. Interestingly, Albania wasn't expected to participate, but the withdrawal of Greece from the tournament offered Albania a chance to join in the re-established post-war cup.

After taking part for the first time in European Championships in 1963, for edition 1964, in the 1968 European qualifiers, they managed a 0-0 draw against West Germany, which eventually eliminated West Germany from qualification. During that era, Albania boasted arguably its greatest ever footballer, Panajot Pano.

The 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifiers brought further notable results with a 2-2 draw away to Poland and a 2-0 win over eventual semi-finalists Belgium.

The qualifiers for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifiers saw Albania forced to play some home games on neutral venues due to civil unrest at home. However, they achieved a 4-1 win over Turkey in an away friendly match in 1998 - the only time Albania have scored more than 3 goals in a full international match (although they did win 5-0 at home to Montenegro on September 22, 1946, Montenegro was at that time part of Yugoslavia).

During the 2004 European qualifiers, Albania managed a heroic 3-1 win against Russia in Shkodër.

The 2006 World Cup qualifiers qualifiers have seen Albania's results improve markedly, including an epic 2-1 victory against the then newly crowned European Champions, Greece.

Recently, the U19 team also known as Shpresat (The Team of Hopes), managed to qualify for the Elite round in the Euro U19 2008 which is going to be held in Czech Republic. Along the way, they lost against Spain (2-0), won a very important match against Serbia (2-1) and drew with Lichtenstein (0-0). They are expected to resume the tournament in March 1.[6]

FIFA World Cup 1966 Qualification

The first time that Albania competed for a place in the world's elite for the World Cup 1966 in England was a match against Netherlands in mid-1964. Drawn in Group 5 with the Dutch were also Northern Ireland and Switzerland. Albania only got a point from this qualification round in a game against Northern Ireland in Tirana, which actually prevented Northern Ireland from qualfiying.

Group 5

May 24, 1964, Rotterdam, Netherlands -  Netherlands 2 - 0  Albania

October 25, 1964, Tirana, Albania -  Albania 0 - 2  Netherlands

April 11, 1965, Tirana, Albania -  Albania 0 - 2   Switzerland

May 2, 1965, Geneva, Switzerland -   Switzerland 1 - 0  Albania

May 7, 1965, Belfast, Northern Ireland -  Northern Ireland 4 - 1  Albania

November 24, 1965, Tirana, Albania -  Albania 1 - 1  Northern Ireland

  • Switzerland qualified.
Rank Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA
1   Switzerland 9 6 4 1 1 7 3
2  Northern Ireland 8 6 3 2 1 9 5
3  Netherlands 6 6 2 2 2 6 4
4  Albania 1 6 0 1 5 2 12

UEFA Euro 1984 Qualifications

In its first participation of a Euro qualifier in group edition, Albania finished last out of four other teams competing for the spot in the tournament. In 8 played matches Albania got 2 points, with 2 draws, 6 losses, and no wins. On the other hand, Albania made some power nations nervous. They lost 0-1 away to Turkey with the goal being scored in the 86th minute. In the next two games Albania tied Northern Ireland to a scoreless draw and lost 1-2 to Germany, both home games. In the last three matches, Albania tied Turkey, in Qemal Stafa, also losing to Austria 2-1 in Tirana. The last game of the competition was an away game to Germany. After 22 minutes Albania went ahead 0-1 with a goal by Genc Tomori. However, they were tied one minute later, and eventually lost 2-1 with the last goal being scored in the 79th minute.

Group 6

September 22, 1982, Vienna, Austria  Austria 5 - 0  Albania

October 27, 1982, Izmir, Turkey  Turkey 1 - 0  Albania

December 15, 1982, Tirana, Albania  Albania 0 - 0  Northern Ireland

March 30, 1983, Tirana, Albania Albania Albania 1 - 2 West Germany West Germany

April 27, 1983, Belfast, Northern Ireland  Northern Ireland 1 - 0  Albania

May 11, 1983, Tirana, Albania  Albania 1 - 1  Turkey

June 8, 1983, Tirana, Albania  Albania 1 - 2  Austria

November 20, 1983  West Germany 2 - 1  Albania

  • West Germany qualified.
Rank Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA
1  West Germany 11 8 5 1 2 15 5
2  Northern Ireland 11 8 5 1 2 8 5
3  Austria 9 8 4 1 3 15 10
4  Turkey 7 8 3 1 4 8 16
5  Albania 2 8 0 2 6 4 14

FIFA World Cup 1986 Qualification

In a 4-team group Albania got 4 points with one win and 2 draws. After losing to Belgium in Brussels, Albania were visitors in eventual group winners Poland. There Albania got its first point in a shocking 2-2 draw. Less than two months later Albania was host to group runners up Belgium in Tirana, defeating them with a clear 2-0 win. After losing to Greece away and Poland at home, Albania got its last point in its last game against neighbour rivals Greece in a 1-1 draw.

Group 1

October 17, 1984, Brussels, Belgium Belgium Belgium 3 - 1 Albania Albania

October 31, 1984, Mielec, Poland Poland Poland 2 - 2 Albania Albania

December 22, 1984, Tirana, Albania Albania Albania 2 - 0 Belgium Belgium

February 27, 1985, Athens, Greece Greece Greece 2 - 0 Albania Albania

May 30, 1985, Tirana, Albania Albania Albania 0 - 1 Poland Poland

October 30, 1985, Tirana, Albania Albania Albania 1 - 1 Greece Greece

  • Poland and Belgium qualified.[7]
Rank Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA
1  Poland 8 6 3 2 1 10 6
2  Belgium 8 6 3 2 1 7 3
3  Albania 4 6 1 2 3 6 9
4  Greece 4 6 1 2 3 5 10

FIFA World Cup 1998 Qualification

In the 1998 World Cup, Albania was drawn in a 6-team group which included Germany, Portugal, Ukraine, Northern Ireland and Armenia, Albania got 4 points but showed again that it can battle with the big powers. Its two matches with Germany saw them lose 2-3 at neutral ground and a 3-4 unfortunate defeat in Hannover. Albania got a 1-0 win against Northern Ireland and a 1-1 tie against Armenia.

Group 9

October 9, 1996, Tirana, Albania  Albania 0 - 3  Portugal

November 9, 1996, Tirana, Albania  Albania 1 - 1  Armenia

December 14, 1996, Belfast, Northern Ireland  Northern Ireland 2 - 0  Albania

March 29, 1997, Granada, Spain  Albania 0 - 1  Ukraine

April 2, 1997, Granada, Spain  Albania  2- 3  Germany

June 7, 1997, Porto, Portugal  Portugal 2 - 0  Albania

August 20, 1997, Kyiv, Ukraine  Ukraine 1 - 0  Albania

September 6, 1997, Yerevan, Armenia  Armenia 3 - 0  Albania

September 10, 1997, Zürich, Switzerland  Albania 1 - 0  Northern Ireland

October 11, 1997, Hannover, Germany  Germany 4 - 3  Albania

  • Germany qualified.[8]
Rank Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA
1  Germany 22 10 6 4 0 23 9
2  Ukraine 20 10 6 2 2 10 6
3  Portugal 19 10 5 4 1 12 4
4  Armenia 8 10 1 5 4 8 17
5  Northern Ireland 7 10 1 4 5 6 10
6  Albania 4 10 1 1 8 7 20

UEFA Euro 2004 Qualifications

The 2004 Qualifications for the European competition was of some success for Albania. This was the season when Albania was undefeated at home. Tying two and winning two, but with 0 points on the road. Albania started the undefeated run with a 1-1 draw against eventual winners of the group, Switzerland. Then a back to back encounter with Russia, saw the lose 4-1 in Russian soil, but when they returned, they paid them back by beating them 3-1. This game was the biggest for Albania. After missing a penalty, Albania scored first after just 20 minutes, but Russia tied 56 minutes later. Then after a lot of pressure from Albania, Russia conceded 2 goals in just 3 minutes. In the two other home games, Albania tied Republic of Ireland 0-0 and beat Georgia 3-1. Away Albania got 0 points, but managed to score 4 goals.


Group 10

October 12, 2002, Tirana, Albania  Albania 1 - 1   Switzerland

October 16, 2002, Volgograd, Russia  Russia 4 - 1  Albania

March 29, 2003, Shkodër, Albania  Albania 3 - 1  Russia

April 2, 2003, Tirana, Albania  Albania 0 - 0  Republic of Ireland

June 7, 2003, Dublin, Republic of Ireland  Republic of Ireland 2 - 1  Albania

June 11, 2003, Geneva, Switzerland   Switzerland 3 - 2  Albania

September 6, 2003, Tbilisi, Georgia  Georgia 3 - 0  Albania

September 10, 2003, Tirana, Albania  Albania 3 - 1  Georgia

  • Switzerland qualified.
  • Russia play-off.
Rank Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA
1   Switzerland 15 8 4 3 1 15 11
2  Russia 14 8 4 2 2 19 12
3  Republic of Ireland 11 8 3 2 3 10 11
4  Albania 8 8 2 2 4 11 15
5  Georgia 7 8 2 1 5 8 14

FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualification

Albania kicked off the qualification for a place in Germany 2006 World Cup with a bang. Two months after Greece beat Portugal to win the European championship, Albania defeated Greece 2-1 in a match which Albania scored goals in the 2' and 11' minute. Albania went on to disappoint by losing to Georgia away and Denmark at home, before returning to winning ways by beating Kazakhstan 0-1. February and March 2005 would be the toughest part of the qualification for Albania since they had to play Ukraine, Turkey, and Greece, losing all three of those ties. Later Albania would beat Georgia 3-2 and Kazakhstan 2-1. The last positive result for Albania in this tournament would be a 2-2 draw away at Ukraine. At the end Albania got 13 points and topped Georgia and Kazakhstan. The 13-point mark set a new record for group matches.

Group 2

September 4, 2004, Tirana, Albania -  Albania 2 - 1 Greece 

September 8, 2004, Tbilisi, Georgia -  Georgia 2 - 0 Albania 

October 9, 2004, Tirana, Albania -  Albania 0 - 2 Denmark 

October 13, 2004, Almaty, Kazakhstan -  Kazakhstan 0 - 1 Albania 

February 9, 2005, Tirana, Albania -  Albania 0 - 2 Ukraine 

March 26, 2005, Istanbul, Turkey -  Turkey 2 - 0 Albania 

March 30, 2005, Piraeus, Greece -  Greece 2 - 0 Albania 

June 4, 2005, Tirana, Albania -  Albania 3 - 2 Georgia 

June 8, 2005, Copenhagen, Denmark -  Denmark 3 - 1 Albania 

September 3, 2005, Tirana, Albania -  Albania 2 - 1 Kazakhstan 

October 8, 2005, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine -  Ukraine 2 - 2 Albania 

October 12, 2005, Tirana, Albania -  Albania 0 - 1 Turkey 

  • Ukraine qualified.
  • Turkey play-off.
Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD
 Ukraine 25 12 7 4 1 18 7 11
 Turkey 23 12 6 5 1 23 9 14
 Denmark 22 12 6 4 2 24 12 12
 Greece 21 12 6 3 3 15 9 6
 Albania 13 12 4 1 7 11 20 -9
 Georgia 10 12 2 4 6 14 25 -11
 Kazakhstan 1 12 0 1 11 6 29 -23

UEFA Euro 2008 Qualification

In the matches for the 2008 European qualifiers campaign, Albania have managed very good results as well as good team play in some matches comparing to previous outings in such tournaments. Starting with the 2-2 away draw to Belarus, two wins against Luxembourg home and away (2-0, 0-3) and a 0-0 draw away to Bulgaria have been the most cherished results. Great matches have been played against Netherlands in both legs, although allegedly dubious referee decisions have marred Albania's performances,[9][10] ending up in two losses (2-1, 0-1). Other set-backs have also been suffered after drawing 0-0 against Slovenia and losing 0-2 to Romania in both matches played at home. Albania ended hopes of qualifying mathematically when they failed to win over Slovenia away and managed a yet again 0-0 draw. In the penultimate match at home against Bulgaria, Albania excelled playing wonderfully but ended up in a very unlucky draw. After going ahead with dominating football, they conceded in the dying minutes and later missed a penalty. In the last match at home, Albania was hugely disappointing losing 2-4 against Belarus. Contrary to the popular belief that this would be the easiest match during the campaign, Albania not only missed a chance to break the points-record of all competitions but also produced a very lethargic performance in a rainy night. Albania's Euro campaign ended with a disaster match, losing 6-1 away to Romania which eventually resulted in the resignation of the coach Otto Barić and his assistant.[11]

Group G

Belarus 2 – 2
 Albania
Kalachev 2'
Romaschenko 24'		 Report Skela 7' (pen.)
Hasi 86'
Dinamo Stadium, Minsk
Attendance: 23,000
Referee: Asumaa (Finland)
Albania 0 – 2
 Romania
Report Dică 65'
Mutu 75' (pen.)
Qemal Stafa, Tirana
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Benquerença (Portugal)
Netherlands 2 – 1
 Albania
van Persie 15'
Beqaj 42' (o.g.)		 Report Curri 67'
Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Yefet (Israel)
Bulgaria 0 – 0
 Albania
Report
Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Eriksson (Sweden)
Albania 2 – 0
 Luxembourg
Kapllani 38'
Haxhi 57'		 Report
Qemal Stafa, Tirana
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Silagava (Georgia)
Luxembourg 0 – 3
 Albania
Report Skela 25'
Kapllani 36' 72'
Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg
Attendance: 4,325
Referee: Malzinskas (Lithuania)
Albania 0 – 1
 Netherlands
Report van Nistelrooy 90+1'
Qemal Stafa, Tirana
Attendance: 19,600
Referee: Riley (England)
Albania 1 – 1
 Bulgaria
Kishishev 32' (o.g.) Report Berbatov 87'
Qemal Stafa, Tirana
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Stuchlik (Austria)
Albania 2 – 4
 Belarus
Bogdani 39'
Kapllani 43'		 Report Romaschenko 28' 63' (pen.)
Kutuzov 45+1' 54'
Qemal Stafa, Tirana
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Demirlek (Turkey)
Romania 6 – 1 Albania
Dică 22' 71' (pen.)
Tamaş 53'
Niculae 62' 65'
Marica 69' (pen.)		 Report Kapllani 64'
Lia Manoliu Stadium, Bucharest
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Trivkovic (Croatia)
  • Romania and Netherlands qualified.

Template:UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group G

Some memorable matches

Date Tournament Place Match Score
October 9, 1946 Balkan Cup Tirana, Albania Albania Albania - Bulgaria Bulgaria 3 - 1
October 13, 1946 Balkan Cup Tirana, Albania Albania Albania - Romania Romania 1 - 0
December 17, 1967 Euro 1968 Qual. Tirana, Albania Albania Albania - West Germany Germany 0 - 0
December 22, 1984 World Cup 1986 Qual. Tirana, Albania Albania Albania - Belgium Belgium 2 - 0
January 21, 1998 Friendly Antalya, Turkey Turkey Turkey - Albania Albania 1 - 4
October 14, 1998 Euro 2000 Qual. Oslo, Norway Norway Norway - Albania Albania 2 - 2
October 11, 2000 World Cup 2002 Qual. Tirana, Albania Albania Albania - Greece Greece 2 - 0
April 25, 2001 Friendly Gaziantep, Turkey Turkey Turkey - Albania Albania 0 - 2
March 29, 2003 Euro 2004 Qual. Shkodër, Albania Albania Albania - Russia Russia 3 - 1
February 18, 2004 Friendly Tirana, Albania Albania Albania - Sweden Sweden 2 - 1
September 4, 2004 World Cup 2006 Qual. Tirana, Albania Albania Albania - Greece Greece 2 - 1
October 8, 2005 World Cup 2006 Qual. Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine - Albania Albania 2 - 2
March 28, 2007 Euro 2008 Qual. Sofia, Bulgaria Bulgaria Bulgaria - Albania Albania 0 - 0
June 6, 2007 Euro 2008 Qual. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Luxembourg Luxembourg - Albania Albania 0 - 3
September 12, 2007 Euro 2008 Qual. Tirana, Albania Albania Albania - Netherlands Netherlands 0 - 1
October 17, 2007 Euro 2008 Qual. Tirana, Albania Albania Albania - Bulgaria Bulgaria 1 - 1


Squad

The Kosovo dilemma

Due to the fact that some national team players were born in Kosovo (around 92% ethnic Albanian country)[12], there is a clear possibility that those players could leave for the future Kosovo national football team. Kosovo has declared its independence and this will start a new process as FIFA and UEFA look to accept the newly formed country and its football federation, similar to the case of Montenegro and its break-up from the union with Serbia.

The current and most selected players in the national team who were born in Kosovo (or registered as citizens of the Republic of Kosovo) are: Arjan Beqaj, Armend Dallku, Blerim Rrustemi, Debatik Curri, Lorik Cana and Besart Berisha. Lorik Cana has faithfully declared that Albanians have one national team and he will remain with Albania[13][14] while Debatik Curri said, "One strong national team is better than two weak ones", similar to Besnik Hasi (now retired).[15]. Another uncapped Kosovo-born player, Ilir Nallbani, has reiterated his desire to play for Albania saying "I am Albanian, I want the red-and-black jersey. If I am given the chance, I will choose Albania."[16] Others however have remained silent.

In international football, players are normally committed to play for a specific national team to the exclusion of all others once they play in all or part of any match recognised as a full international by FIFA. However, an exception is made in cases where one or more newly-independent states are created out of a former state. Based on current FIFA rules, a player will be eligible to play for Kosovo, even if he had previously represented Albania, if at least one of the following statements about him is true[17]:

  • He was born in Kosovo.
  • At least one of his parents and/or at least one of his grandparents was born in Kosovo.
  • He has lived in Kosovo continuously for any two-year period.

Due to mixed ancestries, it is probable that a large percentage of the players eligible to play for Kosovo will also remain eligible to play for Albania, and vice versa. However, once they have played for either Albania or Kosovo, they are no longer eligible to play for the other one.

Current Players

Note:

  • Players containing the Kosovo flag possess dual nationality. See "The Kosovo dilemma" above.
  • Players containing the , are called-up for the coming match(es).
  • Players containing the , were either recently withdrawn from the squad due to injury, or are currently injured.
  • Players containing the , are suspended for the next official match.


Goalkeepers

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Arjan Beqaj Kosovo (1975-08-20) August 20, 1975 (age 48) 34 0 Cyprus Anorthosis Famagusta
12 1GK Isli Hidi (1980-10-15) October 15, 1980 (age 43) 4 0 Cyprus Alki Larnaca FC
1GK Samir Ujkani (1988-07-05) July 5, 1988 (age 35) 0 0 Italy U.S. Città di Palermo

Defenders

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
2 2DF Elvin Beqiri (1980-09-27) September 27, 1980 (age 43) 35 0 Albania KS Vllaznia
3 2DF Kristi Vangjeli (1985-09-05) September 5, 1985 (age 38) 12 0 Greece Aris Thessaloniki
4 2DF Armend Dallku Kosovo (1983-06-16) June 16, 1983 (age 40) 25 1 Ukraine Vorskla Poltava
6 2DF Debatik Curri Kosovo (1983-12-28) December 28, 1983 (age 40) 17 1 Ukraine Vorskla Poltava
15 2DF Andi Lila (1986-02-12) February 12, 1986 (age 38) 3 0 Albania SK Tirana

Midfielders

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
5 3MF Lorik Cana Kosovo (1983-07-27) July 27, 1983 (age 40) 31 1 France Olympique Marseille
7 3MF Ansi Agolli (1982-10-11) October 11, 1982 (age 41) 3 0 Albania KF Tirana
8 3MF Ervin Bulku (1981-03-03) March 3, 1981 (age 43) 12 0 Ukraine FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih
9 3MF Elis Bakaj (1985-06-25) June 25, 1985 (age 38) 1 0 Albania Partizani Tirana
10 3MF Klodian Duro (1977-12-21) December 21, 1977 (age 46) 50 3 Cyprus AC Omonia
11 3MF Jahmir Hyka (1988-03-03) March 3, 1988 (age 36) 9 1 Germany Mainz 05
13 3MF Ervin Skela (1976-11-17) November 17, 1976 (age 47) 54 9 Germany Energie Cottbus
14 3MF Altin Lala Captain (football) (captain) (1975-11-18) November 18, 1975 (age 48) 68 3 Germany Hannover 96

Strikers

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
16 4FW Erjon Bogdani (1977-04-14) April 14, 1977 (age 47)) 47 9 Italy Chievo Verona
17 4FW Besart Berisha Kosovo (1985-07-29) July 29, 1985 (age 38) 9 1 Norway Rosenborg
18 4FW Hamdi Salihi (1984-01-19) January 19, 1984 (age 40) 8 1 Austria SV Ried

Recent call-ups

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
9 4FW Edmond Kapllani (WCQ v Sweden, 6 September) (1982-07-31) July 31, 1982 (age 41)) 23 6 Germany Karlsruher SC
15 2DF Admir Teli (WCQ v Sweden, 6 September) (1980-06-02) June 2, 1980 (age 43) 4 0 Turkey Hacettepespor
1GK Ilion Lika (1980-05-17) May 17, 1980 (age 44)) 14 0 Russia Terek Grozny
2DF Endri Vrapi (1982-05-23) May 23, 1982 (age 42)) 3 0 Albania KS Elbasani
3MF Dorian Bylykbashi (1980-08-08) August 8, 1980 (age 43) 2 0 Ukraine FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih
2DF Blerim Rrustemi (1983-02-04) February 4, 1983 (age 41) Cyprus Alki Larnaca FC

The most common line-up

The most common 4-3-2-1 line-up used by Arie Haan.

Coaching staff

Head Coach Netherlands Arie Haan
Assistant Coach Albania Shpetim Duro
Goalkeeping Coach Albania Jani Kaçi
Team Doctor Albania Asllan Kasa
Physios Germany Achim Bullinger
Albania Ylli Mihali

FIFA World Cup qualification (Group 1)

Template:2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 1

Recent results

Albania Albania 0-0 Sweden Sweden, September 10, 2008 (20:45 local time) 2010 FIFA World Cup qual. Matchday 1 (H)


Albania Albania 3-0 Malta Malta, September 10, 2008 (20:45 local time) 2010 FIFA World Cup qual. Matchday 2 (H) 

1-0 '45+1  Erjon Bogdani
2-0 '83 Klodian Duro
3-0 '90 Armend Dallku

Forthcoming fixtures

Hungary Hungary vs. Albania Albania, October 11, 2008 (19:45 CET), 2010 FIFA World Cup qual. Matchday 3 (A)


Portugal Portugal vs. Albania Albania, October 15, 2008 (21:45 CET), 2010 FIFA World Cup qual. Matchday 4 (A)

Albania versus other countries

Against Wins Draws Losses Total
 Algeria 2 0 0 2
 Andorra 1 0 1 2
 Armenia 0 1 1 2
 Austria 0 0 6 6
 Azerbaijan 3 0 0 3
 Bahrain 0 0 1 1
 Belarus 0 1 1 2
 Belgium 1 0 1 2
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 1 0 2
 Bulgaria 2 4 5 11
 China 0 1 1 2
 Cuba 0 1 0 1
 Cyprus 0 1 2 3
 Czechoslovakia 2 0 3 5
 Denmark 1 0 5 6
 England 0 0 4 4
 Estonia 1 1 0 2
 Finland 2 1 4 7
 France 0 0 2 2
 Georgia 3 1 6 10
 Germany 0 1 13 14
 Greece 4 4 6 14
 Hungary 0 1 2 3
 Iceland 2 0 1 3
 Iran 0 0 8 8
 Israel 2 1 1 0
 Republic of Ireland 0 1 3 4
 Kazakhstan 2 0 0 2
 Luxembourg 2 1 0 3
 Latvia 0 5 0 5
 Lithuania 1 0 2 3
 Macau 1 1 4 6
 Malta 4 1 1 6
 Mexico 0 0 1 1
 Moldova 2 0 0 2
 Netherlands 0 0 4 4
 Northern Ireland 1 2 5 8
 Norway 0 1 1 2
 Poland 1 3 7 11
 Portugal 0 0 3 3
 Romania 2 1 10 13
 Russia 1 0 1 2
 San Marino 1 0 0 1
 Slovenia 0 2 2 4
 Spain 0 0 5 5
 Sweden 1 1 2 4
  Switzerland 0 1 3 4
 Turkey 3 1 5 9
 Ukraine 0 1 3 4
 Vietnam 1 0 0 1
 Wales 0 1 1 2
 Yugoslavia 0 1 4 5
Total 63 47 148 257

Players

Most appearances

Below is a list of the 10 players with the most appearances for Albania, as of October 4, 2008 (* denotes players still available for selection):

No Name Games Goals First game (age) Last game (age)
1 Foto Strakosha 73 0 30- 5-1990 (25) 9- 2-2005 (39)
2 Igli Tare* 68 10 1997 7-2-2007 (33)
3 Alban Bushi* 67 14 1995 17-11-2007 (34)
4 Altin Lala* 66 3 1998 10-9-2008 (32)
5 Altin Haxhi* 65 3 1995 21-11-2007 (32)
6 Altin Rraklli* 63 11 1992 30-3-2005 (34)
7 Rudi Vata 59 5 30-5-1990 (21) 1-9-2001 (32)
8 Ervin Skela* 53 9 2000 (23) 10-9-2008 (31)
9 Klodian Duro* 50 3 2000 (22) 10-9-2008 (31)
10 Arjan Xhumba 48 0 1992 2002

Most Goals

Below is a list of the 10 players with the most goals for Albania, as of October 4, 2008 (* denotes players still available for selection):

No Name Goals First game Last game
1 Alban Bushi* 14 1995 2007
2 Altin Rraklli 11 1992 2005
3 Sokol Kushta 10 1987 1996
4 Igli Tare* 10 1997 2007
5 Ervin Skela* 9 2000 2008
6 Adrian Aliaj 8 2002 2006
7 Erjon Bogdani* 8 1996 2008
8 Loro Borici 6 1946 1958
9 Bledar Kola 6 1994 2001
10 Edmond Kapllani* 6 2004 2008

Former famous players

Template:Famous players

Notable Managers

Honours

Senior team

  • Winners of VIII Balkan Cup (Tirana, October 1946)
  • Winners of Rothmans Football International Tournament (Valletta, February 4 - February 10, 2000)[18]

Albania U-23

Albania U-21

Albania U-18

Albania U-17

  • 2nd place in Rijeka Tournament 1996 in Croatia

Albania U-16

  • 2nd place in Nereo Rocco Tournament 1996 in Italy

Albania U-15

  • Winners of Beato Annibale Maria di Francia Tournament 1996 in Italy
  • 3rd place in Balkan Cup 2001 in Albania

Albania U-14

  • 2nd place in Primavera Tournament 1995 in Italy

World Cup record

  • 1930 to 1962 - Did not enter
  • 1966 - Did not qualify
  • 1970 - Entry not accepted by FIFA
  • 1974 - Did not qualify
  • 1978 - Did not enter
  • 1982 to 2006 - Did not qualify

European Championship record

See also

References

  1. ^ Tifozat Kuq e Zi
  2. ^ FIFA Haan named Albania boss
  3. ^ Albania suspension lifted by FIFA
  4. ^ FIFA says its emergency committee has decided to lift suspension of Albania
  5. ^ FIFA lifts suspension of Albania over alleged interference
  6. ^ UEFA European U-19 C'ship
  7. ^ WC 1986 Qual. Group 1
  8. ^ WC 1998 Qual. Group 9
  9. ^ Disallowed Albanian goal, versus the Netherlands, Euro 2008 qualifier: ESPNsoccernet website. Retrieved on September 14, 2007.
  10. ^ Albanian Football Federation, files official complaint with UEFA regarding Netherlands game: Albania soccer website. Retrieved on September 16, 2007.
  11. ^ Baric: Po largohem
  12. ^ Statistical Office of Kosovo
  13. ^ Leter e hapur nga Lorik Cana: Na bashkon kombëtarja
  14. ^ Letër e hapur drejtuar gjithë dashamirësve të Kombëtares kuqezi
  15. ^ Debatik Curri: Më mirë një kombëtare e fortë se sa dy të dobëta
  16. ^ Nallbani: Jam shqiptar, dua një fanellë kuqezi!
  17. ^ Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players
  18. ^ Malta 2000 Events

External links

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