Albania national football team
| Nickname(s) | Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks) Shqiponjat (The Eagles) |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF) | ||
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
| Head coach | Gianni De Biasi | ||
| Captain | Lorik Cana | ||
| Most caps | Lorik Cana (88) | ||
| Top scorer | Erjon Bogdani (18) | ||
| Home stadium | Elbasan Arena | ||
| FIFA code | ALB | ||
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| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 32 |
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| Highest | 22 (August 2015[1]) | ||
| Lowest | 124 (August 1997[1]) | ||
| Elo ranking | |||
| Current | 60 (11 October 2015)[2] | ||
| Highest | 58 (September 2015 [2]) | ||
| Lowest | 127 (14 & 18 December 1994 [2]) | ||
| First international | |||
(Tirana, Albania; 7 October 1946)[3] |
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| Biggest win | |||
(Bastia Umbra, Italy; 12 February 2003) (Tirana, Albania; 12 August 2009)[3] |
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| Biggest defeat | |||
(Budapest, Hungary; 24 September 1950)[3] |
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| European Championship | |||
| Appearances | 1 (First in 2016) | ||
| Best result | TBD | ||
The Albania national football team (Albanian: Kombëtarja shqiptare e futbollit) is the national association football team of Albania and it has represented the Albanian nation since 1946.
Albania was the winner of the 1946 Balkan Cup and the Malta Rothmans International Tournament 2000, but had never participated in any major UEFA or FIFA tournament, until UEFA Euro 2016, which will be Albania's first ever appearance at the continental tournament and at a major men's football tournament.
Contents
- 1 History
- 1.1 Balkan Cup 1946: Albania is Champion of the Balkans
- 1.2 1960 European Nations' Cup
- 1.3 1964 European Nations' Cup
- 1.4 FIFA World Cup 1966
- 1.5 UEFA Euro 1968
- 1.6 FIFA World Cup 1970 and UEFA Euro 1972
- 1.7 FIFA World Cup 1974
- 1.8 UEFA Euro 1976, FIFA World Cup 1978, and UEFA Euro 1980
- 1.9 FIFA World Cup 1982
- 1.10 UEFA Euro 1984
- 1.11 FIFA World Cup 1986
- 1.12 UEFA Euro 1988
- 1.13 FIFA World Cup 1990
- 1.14 UEFA Euro 1992
- 1.15 FIFA World Cup 1994
- 1.16 UEFA Euro 1996
- 1.17 FIFA World Cup 1998
- 1.18 UEFA Euro 2000
- 1.19 FIFA World Cup 2002
- 1.20 UEFA Euro 2004
- 1.21 FIFA World Cup 2006
- 1.22 UEFA Euro 2008
- 1.23 FIFA World Cup 2010
- 1.24 UEFA Euro 2012
- 1.25 FIFA World Cup 2014
- 2 UEFA Euro 2016
- 3 Recent results and forthcoming fixtures
- 4 Squad
- 5 Stadium
- 6 Supporters
- 7 Media coverage
- 8 Kit History
- 9 Kit suppliers
- 10 Managerial History
- 11 Individual all-time records
- 12 Honours
- 13 Competitive record
- 14 Head-to-Head records against other countries
- 15 See also
- 16 References
- 17 External links
History[edit]
Although it never played any matches, the Albanian national football team existed before the Albanian Football Association was created in 1930. This is witnessed by the registration of the Albanian team in the Balkan Cup tournament of 1929-1931, which started in 1929, a year before the creation of the association. Albania, however, eventually retired from the competition, before the competition itself started.[4] FSHF was founded on 6 June 1930, and, in 1932, Albania joined FIFA (during the congress 12 June — June 16), however no national team matches were registered until the first international match, a debut against Yugoslavia in 1946. In 1954, Albania was one of the founding members of UEFA.
Balkan Cup 1946: Albania is Champion of the Balkans[edit]
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.[5]
1960 European Nations' Cup[edit]
Albania did not participate in the qualifiers of the 1960 European Nations' Cup.
1964 European Nations' Cup[edit]
This was the first time Albania competed in a Euro Cup competition and actually the only time Albania was between the best 16 teams of the Continent, the reason being Albania got past the first leg as Greece, for political reasons forfeited the game. In the eighth finals Albania faced Denmark and won in Albania 1–0, but lost in Denmark 0–4. Denmark advanced to the quarter finals.[6] At the end of the tournament Albania ranked 9th in Europe.[7][8][9]
FIFA World Cup 1966[edit]
The first time that Albania competed for a place in the world's elite, for the 1966 World Cup in England, was in a match against Netherlands on 24 May 1964. Drawn in Group 5 with the Dutch were also Northern Ireland and Switzerland. Albania's only point in the qualification round came from a 1–1 draw at home to Northern Ireland in Tirana, which denied Northern Ireland a place in the Finals.
| Rank | Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | |
| 2 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 5 | |
| 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | |
| 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 12 |
Switzerland qualified.
UEFA Euro 1968[edit]
This participation will be remembered for a draw 0–0 in Albania with West Germany that denied the Germans the participation to the UEFA Euro 1968 finals.
| Pos | Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1 - 0 | 4 - 0 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | ||
| 2. | 3 - 1 | 6 - 0 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 3. | 0 - 2 | 0 - 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
FIFA World Cup 1970 and UEFA Euro 1972[edit]
For unknown political reasons Albania did not participate in the qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 1970 and the UEFA Euro 1972.
FIFA World Cup 1974[edit]
Albania was last of the class behind Finland in these qualifiers. In this campaign Albania participated after having been idle of international matches for nearly 6 years.
| Rank | Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 3 | 15 | |
| 2 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 4 | 13 | |
| 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 21 | −18 | |
| 4 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 13 | −10 |
East Germany qualified.
UEFA Euro 1976, FIFA World Cup 1978, and UEFA Euro 1980[edit]
For unknown political reasons Albania did not participate in the qualifiers of the UEFA Euro 1976, FIFA World Cup 1978, and UEFA Euro 1980.
FIFA World Cup 1982[edit]
Again 6 years after virtually no international matches, Albania made it to be no longer last in the class, but "revenges" Finland allocating the Nordic country to get the "wooden spoon".
| Rank | Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 30 | |
| 2 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 6 | 10 | |
| 3 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 1 | |
| 4 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 22 | −18 | |
| 5 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 27 | −23 |
West Germany and Austria qualified.
UEFA Euro 1984[edit]
In the 1984 European Championship qualifiers, Albania finished in last place in their group of five teams. In 8 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 after Genc Tomori was sent off by the referee after a simulation of Rudi Voeller, Albania had to play for 60 minutes with one man down. Eventually Albania lost 2–1 with the last goal being scored in the 79th minute.[10]
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 5 | 10 | |
| 11 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | |
| 9 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| 7 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 16 | −8 | |
| 2 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 14 | −10 |
FIFA World Cup 1986[edit]
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 runner-ups 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.
| Rank | Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 4 | |
| 2 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 4 | |
| 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | −3 | |
| 4 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | −5 |
Poland qualified. Belgium advanced to the UEFA Play-offs.
UEFA Euro 1988[edit]
All 6 matches ended up in losses for Albania in this campaign. The group proved to be too strong for Albania that managed to score only two goals in the entire campaign.
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FIFA World Cup 1990[edit]
This was probably the worst qualifier in Albania's history as there were 6 losses in as many games with no memorable matches. Probably the match at home with Sweden could and should have been won, because Albania was leading and lost at least 5 clear goal chances before Sweden came back and reverted the result.
| Rank | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 10 | |
| 2 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 9 | |
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 5 | |
| 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 15 | −12 | 0 |
Sweden qualified. England also qualified with the second-best record among runners-up of Groups 1, 2 and 4.
UEFA Euro 1992[edit]
In these qualifiers, Albania narrowly lost at home, but had a 0–9 defeat in Spain, which was the heaviest loss of Albania in an international qualifier. It is to be mentioned that the match was played in a very difficult time for Albania because of heavy political turmoil.
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FIFA World Cup 1994[edit]
A win over Lithuania and two draws against Latvia were the only things to remember for Albania in this otherwise forgettable campaign, where Albania finished last of the group.
| Rank | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 27 | 4 | +23 | 19 | |
| 2 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 6 | +13 | 18 | |
| 3 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 2 | +13 | 18 | |
| 4 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 13 | +1 | 13 | |
| 5 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 21 | −13 | 7 | |
| 6 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 21 | −17 | 5 | |
| 7 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 26 | −20 | 4 |
Spain and Republic of Ireland qualified.
UEFA Euro 1996[edit]
Albania managed to make life difficult to Germany during this campaign twice with Germany winning both matches only 2–1 and in the last minutes. For the rest, 2 wins, 2 draws and other 4 losses for Albania, which managed to leave Wales at bottom of group for this campaign. To mention that for the first time Albania beat another country (Moldova) as guests in an international qualifier campaign.
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 10 | |
| 22 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 10 | |
| 15 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 13 | |
| 9 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 11 | 27 | |
| 8 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 16 | |
| 8 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 19 |
FIFA World Cup 1998[edit]
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, in both games taking a lead. Albania got a 1–0 win against Northern Ireland and a 2–2 tie against Armenia.
| Rank | Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 23 | 9 | 12 | |
| 2 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 4 | |
| 3 | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 8 | |
| 4 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 17 | −9 | |
| 5 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 10 | −4 | |
| 6 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 20 | −13 |
UEFA Euro 2000[edit]
In a relatively easy group, Albania couldn't go past one single victory at home turf at the expense of Georgia. However, there were some memorable draws against Greece 0–0 in Tirana, 2–2 in Norway, and 0–0 in Latvia. Albania also drew 3–3 Latvia at home. All the other matches were narrowly lost in this unfortunate campaign.
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 9 | +12 | |
| 17 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 14 | −2 | |
| 15 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 8 | +5 | |
| 13 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 12 | +1 | |
| 7 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 14 | −6 | |
| 5 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 18 | −10 |
FIFA World Cup 2002[edit]
After a loss to Finland, Albania won over Greece 2–0 with an own goal and a late goal of Ervin Fakaj. However, after that win, another 6 losses followed for Albania, which brought the Albanian Football Federation to think about hiring a foreign coach, 33 years after the last foreign coach, Luznikov, had led Albania in a Moskow tournament in 1959.
| Final table | Home | Away | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 6 | +10 | 17 | X | 0:1 | 2:1 | 2:2 | 2:0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 10 | |||
| 2. | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 17 | 1:5 | X | 0:0 | 2:0 | 2:1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 10 | |||
| 3. | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 7 | +5 | 12 | 0:0 | 2:2 | X | 5:1 | 2:1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 4. | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 17 | −10 | 7 | 0:2 | 2:4 | 1:0 | X | 1:0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 1 | |||
| 5. | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 14 | −9 | 3 | 1:3 | 0:2 | 0:2 | 2:0 | X | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 0 | |||
UEFA Euro 2004[edit]
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. Giuseppe Dossena for the first two matches and Hans-Peter Briegel for the remaining six led Albania to an undefeated run with a 1–1 draw against eventual winners of the group, Switzerland. Afterwards, a back to back encounter with Russia, saw the loss 4–1 in Russian soil, however Albania paid Russia back by beating them 3–1. This game is probably the all-time best result 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.[11]
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 11 | 15 | |
| 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 12 | 14 | |
| 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 11 | 11 | |
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 8 | |
| 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 7 |
Switzerland qualified. Russia and Ireland advanced to the Play-offs.
FIFA World Cup 2006[edit]
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. This was an early knock out from the World Cup 2006 in Germany for the Greeks. 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.[12]
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 7 | +11 | 25 | |
| 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 23 | 9 | +14 | 23 | |
| 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 24 | 12 | +12 | 22 | |
| 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 9 | +6 | 21 | |
| 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 20 | −9 | 13 | |
| 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 25 | −11 | 10 | |
| 12 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 6 | 29 | −23 | 1 |
Ukraine qualified. Turkey advanced to the UEFA Play-offs (see ranking of runners-up).
UEFA Euro 2008[edit]
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, 3–0) 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,[13][14] ending up in two losses (2–1, 0–1). Other setbacks 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.[15]
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Notes on the tie-breaking situation:
- Albania and Slovenia are tied on their head-to-head records, and are thus ranked by their overall goal difference in the group:
- Albania – 2 pts, 0GD, 0GF, 0 away goals (0–0 H vs Slovenia, 0–0 A vs Slovenia) – Overall GD = −6
- Slovenia – 2 pts, 0GD, 0GF, 0 away goals (0–0 H vs Albania, 0–0 A vs Albania) – Overall GD = −7
FIFA World Cup 2010[edit]
On December 2007, Football Association of Albania's president, Armand Duka, announced Arie Haan would replace Croatian-Austrian Otto Barić as Albania's head coach. Haan signed a two-year contract on 4 January 2008.[16] On 14 March 2008, Albania was suspended from international football (FIFA and UEFA), due to heavy political interference in the Football Association. The suspension lasted 46 days.[17][18][19]
With Haan as coach Albania started 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification with a 0–0 draw against Sweden at home. Four days later, the Albanians defeated Malta 3–0 with goals from Erjon Bogdani, Armend Dallku and Klodian Duro. On 11 October 2008, Albania lost 2–0 to Hungary in Budapest and then drew 0–0 with Portugal in Braga, making the biggest shock on this group. On 11 February 2009, Albania drew with Malta in Ta'Qali 0–0. Albania then lost 1–0 to Hungary at home on 28 March 2009 and 3–0 to Denmark in Copenhagen on 1 April 2009. In the home match against Portugal, Hugo Almeida scored early for Portugal, before Albania equalised with a goal from Erjon Bogdani. However, with just a few seconds left in the game, Bruno Alves scored the winner for Portugal, eliminating Albania. At the end of the campaign, Albania drew 1–1 against Denmark and lost 4–1 to Sweden and Haan was replaced by Croatian coach Josip Kuže in May 2009.[20]
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UEFA Euro 2012[edit]
The draw for the qualifying rounds of UEFA Euro 2012 was held on 7 February 2010 in Congress Hall of Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw, with matches set to begin on 3–4 September 2010.[21] Seedings were based on the UEFA national team coefficient ranking.[22][23] Albania was drawn in Group D along with France, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, and Luxembourg.
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FIFA World Cup 2014[edit]
Josip Kuže parted ways with Albania three years and a half after he started the job, and in December 2011, Italian coach Gianni de Biasi replaced him.[24] Albania started well the qualifiers and was, at one point, 2nd in group with 6 matches played, and 4 on hand, but failed to be successful in the last four, losing away in Slovenia and Iceland, as well as at home against Switzerland, and drawing in Cyprus.[25] 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 from Albanian Kosovar parents. As of 13 August 2013, 14 Albanians of Kosovo origin were either part of the start-up team, or have received recent call-ups.[26]
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Presence of ethnic Albanian players at the 2014 FIFA World Cup[edit]
After the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying ended, the Albania's captain Lorik Cana was included in the best eleven of the players which missed out at the 2014 FIFA World Cup because of failing to qualify with their national team.[27]
Before the World Cup in 2014 a significant presence of ethnic Albanians had been noted in several national teams. In 5 March 2014 54 Albanians were called up by 7 different national teams Albania (19), Kosovo (22), Switzerland (5), Macedonia national football team (4), Finland (2), Germany (1), and Montenegro (1).[28]
The Catalan newspaper El Mundo Deportivo reported a significant presence of Albanians in the World Cup, thanks to an article published by it. The article said that Albania is not in the World Cup 2014, as a result of the "originating stars who are springing up in major competitions on the globe", especially emphasizing Xherdan Shaqiri. According to the newspaper if Gianni De Biasi had been able to use Swiss representative footballers and Adnan Januzaj of Belgium, at the 1/8 finals against Argentina would not be Switzerland, but the Red & Blacks of Albania. According to the article, a country with three million inhabitants, which had never previously participated in a major tournament, could have been present in the Brazilian World Cup if the stars of Albanian origin had chosen to play for Albania. The article said that Xherdan Shaqiri, currently the star of the Swiss youth was too ambitious to play for the Albania in the past, and holds two passports, the Swiss and Albanian. Born in Gjilan, Kosovo, in the end he decided to wear the shirt of Switzerland, the country where he grew up and trained as a footballer. The second name that could have done the job for De Biasi, according to Catalan daily, was Adnan Januzaj of Belgium, which the label as a great talent. For the latter, "El Mundo Deportivo" writes that he was born in Brussels but emphasizes the origins of his father, who is an Albanian from Kosovo. The article also mentions how the two brothers Xhaka are split: The younger one, Granit, plays for Switzerland and the elder one, Taulant, for Albania, whereas the Macedonian Albanians such as Blerim Dzemaili, Admir Mehmedi and Valon Behrami, according to "El Mundo Deportivo" would make the team of Albania one of the most talented in Europe.[29]
Then, in September 2014, it was reported that 80 Albanians played with foreign (thus excluding Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia) senior and youth national teams, out of which 46 with Switzerland only.[30]
UEFA Euro 2016[edit]
The qualifying draw took place on 23 February 2014. Albania was drawn in Group I along with Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, and Armenia. Qualifying matches started in September 2014. Albania started the qualifiers by grabbing an historic result as they beat the group favourites of Portugal 1–0 at Estádio Municipal de Braga thanks to a goal from Bekim Balaj.[31] In the second match against Denmark at the newly renovated stadium Elbasan Arena, Albania was on lead until minute 82th where Lasse Vibe equalized, with the match ending 1–1. In the next game against Serbia at Partizan Stadium, the match was abandoned in 42th minute after several on and off the field incidents. Despite the great violence by Serbia's houligans against Albania at Partizan Stadium, Serbia absurditly was awarded with the 3–0 victory after the decision by UEFA.[32] The decision was appealed by both Serbia and Albania,[33][34] but the decision was upheld by UEFA.[35] Both associations then filed further appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,[36] 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.[37]
In the fourth match against Armenia at home, Albania where behind from the 4th minute after an own goal from Mërgim Mavraj, but it was also Mavraj who equalized the result in the 77th with a powerful header. Four minutes later it was the substitute Shkëlzen Gashi who sealed the 2–1 triumph to put Albania in the 2th position along with Denmark with 10 points.[38] It was the first time that Albania ended the first part of the qualifiers in the second spot. Albania made history again by beating for the first time ever the one-time World Champions and the major UEFA Euro 2016 tournament hosts of France at Elbasan Arena in the "Group I" Friendly Match.[39] After a draw against Denmark, Albania clinched at least a play-off place. Despite losing to Portugal and Serbia, Albania defeated Armenia 3–0 in Yerevan and qualified for UEFA Euro 2016, its first ever appearance at a major men's football tournament.[40] For this achievement the entire team was bestowed the Honor of Nation Order by Albania's President Bujar Nishani.[41] In addition to the qualification, Albania achieved a world record in terms of not conceding any away goal during the tournament, while scoring seven away goals.
Recent results and forthcoming fixtures[edit]
2015[edit]
| 29 March 2015 UEFA Euro 2016 Q. | Albania |
2 – 1 | Elbasan, Albania | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:00 (UTC+2) | Mavraj Gashi |
Report | Mavraj |
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Attendance: 12,300 Referee: David Fernández Borbalán (Spain) |
| 13 June 2015 Friendly | Albania |
1 – 0 | Elbasan, Albania | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:00 (UTC+2) | Kaçe |
Report | Stadium: Elbasan Arena Referee: Halis Özkahya (Turkey) |
| 4 September 2015 UEFA Euro 2016 Q. | Denmark |
0 – 0 | Copenhagen, Denmark | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:45 GMT +2 | Report | Stadium: Telia Parken Attendance: 35, 648 Referee: Willie Collum (Scotland) |
| 7 September 2015 UEFA Euro 2016 Q. | Albania |
0 – 1 | Elbasan, Albania | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:45 GMT +2 | Report | Veloso |
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) |
| 8 October 2015 UEFA Euro 2016 Q. | Albania |
0 – 2 | Elbasan, Albania | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:45 GMT +2 | Report | Kolarov Ljajic |
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy) |
| 11 October 2015 UEFA Euro 2016 Q. | Armenia |
0 – 3 | Yerevan, Armenia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:00 GMT +2 | Report | Hovhannisyan Djimsiti Sadiku |
Stadium: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland) |
UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 21 | Qualify for final tournament | — | 0–1 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 1–0 | ||
| 2 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 14 | 0–1 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | |||
| 3 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 12 | Advance to play-offs | 0–1 | 0–0 | — | 2–0 | 2–1 | ||
| 4 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 13 | −5 | 4 | 1–2 | 0–3[a] | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | |||
| 5 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 14 | −9 | 2 | 2–3 | 0–3 | 0–0 | 1–1 | — |
- ^ a b c Serbia's abandoned home match against Albania was awarded as a 3–0 win to Albania after decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and Serbia was also deducted three points because home fans invaded the pitch and attacked Albania players when a drone carried a pro-Albanian flag over the stadium.[42] The match was originally awarded as a 3–0 win to Serbia, who also received a three point deduction, after a disciplinary decision from UEFA.[43] The decision was appealed by both Serbia and Albania,[44][45] but was upheld by UEFA.[46] Both associations then filed further appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,[47] and on 10 July 2015 the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected the appeal filed by the Serbian FA, and partially upheld the appeal filed by the Albanian FA, meaning the match is deemed to have been forfeited by Serbia 3–0 and they are still deducted three points.[42]
After the Serbia–Albania match, the national team of Albania was awarded by the cities of Tirana, Vlore, Kamëz, and Bajram Curri awards of honor and city recognition for protecting the national symbols.[48]
Squad[edit]
Current squad[edit]
The following players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying matches against Serbia and Armenia on 8 and 11 October 2015 respectively.[49]
Caps and goals as of 11 October 2015 after the match against Armenia.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recent call-ups[edit]
The following players have been called up within the last 12 months.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
= Not called-up due to the injury or currently injured.- PRE = Preliminary squad.
- INJ = Withdrew due to the injury.
Coaching staff[edit]
Current coaching staff:[50]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | |
| Assistant Coach | |
| Assistant Coach | |
| Athletic Coach | |
| Goalkeeping Coach | |
| National Team Manager | |
| National Team Scouter | |
| Manager of the Young Talents | |
| Team Doctor | |
| Osteopat | |
| Physiotherapists | |
| Physiotherapists | |
| Base materials |
Stadium[edit]
In November 2013, Qemal Stafa Stadium was shut down by FIFA for not fulfilling international standards.[51] In fact, not a single stadium in Albania fulfills FIFA standards for international competitions. As a result, the Albanian government is upgrading Ruzhdi Bizhuta stadium of Elbasan named Elbasan Arena in time for the Euro 2016 qualifiers beginning in September 2014, and Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër in time for the October 2015 Euro Qualifier against Serbia.[52]
Supporters[edit]
Tifozat Kuq e Zi (English: Red and Black Fans, also known as the Albania National Football Team Supporters Club) is a non-profit football supporters' association for the Albania national football team and various national team sportive activities. It was founded on 25 December 2003. In cooperation with FSHF, 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 that Albanians 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. In this sense, TKZ is joined by different supporters' associations throughout Albanian-speaking regions mainly in Kosovo (Kuqezinjet e Jakoves of Gjakova, Plisat of Pristina, Torcida of Mitrovica, etc.), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Ballistët of Tetovo, Ilirët of Kumanovo, Shvercerat of Skopje, etc.) and in Albania itself (Ultras Guerrils of Partizani Tirana, Tirona Fanatics of KF Tirana, Vllaznit Ultras of Vllaznia Shkodër, Ujqërit e Deborës (English: Snow Wolfs) Skënderbeu Korçë, Shqiponjat of KF Besa Pejë and many other different Albanian fans).
The ongoing dispute between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Football Association of Albania has been seen as a political intrusion by FIFA and UEFA, which led to the banning of Albania from international sportive activities. FSHF president Armand Duka is highly unwanted by the TKZ who have numerously asked for his resignation believing he is responsible for internal corruption in the Albanian Football Association.
The TKZ have been praised by many different football players and managers, whom were not just Albanian. Switzerland's former coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld was astonished by how many Albanian fans turned up and how enthusiastic they were in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) between Switzerland and Albania where the Swiss won 2-0 thanks to goals from Gökhan Inler and Kosovo-born Xherdan 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 Albanian fans are fantastic and the most passionate fans I have ever seen.[53] During that campaign, TKZ attended all games Albania played apart from a match against Cyprus in Nicosia and were also large in numbers in the away games to Slovenia where they lost 1-0 and Norway where they won 1-0 thanks to a stunning goal by Hamdi Salihi.
Media coverage[edit]
Albania's qualifying matches and friendlies are currently televised by TVSH and SuperSport Albania, a trademark of Digit-Alb.
Kit History[edit]
The Albanian kit has been mostly red and black with few changes throughout the years.
Kit suppliers[edit]
| Kit provider | Period |
|---|---|
| 1980-1991 | |
| 1992–1995 | |
| 1996–2004 | |
| 2004–2008 | |
| 2008–2010 | |
| 2010–2011 | |
| 2011–present |
Managerial History[edit]
This is a chronological list of the managers who have guided Albania since 1946.[54]
Ljubiša Broćić (1st) (22.08.1946 - 13.10.1946)
Adem Karapici (1st) (25.05.1947 - 25.05.1947)
Ljubiša Broćić (2nd) (15.06.1947 - 20.08.1947)
Adem Karapici (2nd) (14.09.1947 - 27.06.1948)
Sllave Llambi (23.10.1949 - 17.11.1949)
Ludovik Jakova (29.11.1949 - 08.10.1950)
Myslym Alla (1st) (29.11.1952 - 07.12.1952)
Miklós Vadas (29.11.1953 - 29.11.1953)
Loro Boriçi (1st) (15.09.1957 - 29.06.1963)
Zyber Konçi (1st) (30.10.1963 - 07.05.1965)
Loro Boriçi (2nd) (24.11.1965 - 21.06.1972)
Myslym Alla (2nd) (29.10.1972 - 06.05.1973)
Ilia Shuke (10.10.1973 - 08.11.1973)
Loro Boriçi (3rd) (03.11.1976 - 03.11.1976)
Zyber Konçi (2nd) (03.09.1980 - 06.12.1980)
Loro Boriçi (4th) (01.04.1981 - 18.11.1981)
Shyqyri Rreli (1st) (22.09.1982 - 30.05.1985)
Agron Sulaj (1st) (30.10.1985 - 18.11.1987)
Shyqyri Rreli (2nd) (06.08.1988 - 15.11.1989)
Bejkush Birçe (1st) (30.05.1990 - 30.05.1990)
Agron Sulaj (2nd) (05.09.1990 - 19.12.1990)
Bejkush Birçe (2nd) (30.03.1991 -14.05.1994)
Neptun Bajko (07.09.1994 - 14.12.1996)
Astrit Hafizi (29.03.1997 - 09.10.1999)
Medin Zhega (06.02.2000 - 06.06.2001)
Sulejman Demollari (01.09.2001 - 17.04.2002)
Giuseppe Dossena (12.10.2002 - 16.10.2002)
Hans-Peter Briegel (12.02.2003 - 22.03.2006)
Otto Barić (16.08.2006 - 17.10.2007)- →
Slavko Kovačić - (Caretaker) (17.11.2007 - 21.11.2007)
Arie Haan (27.05.2008 - 01.04.2009)
Josip Kuže (06.06.2009 - 11.10.2011)- →
Džemal Mustedanagić - (Caretaker) (11.11.2011 - 15.11.2011)
Gianni De Biasi (29.02.2012–Present)
Individual all-time records[edit]
Below are two lists of the top 10 players with the most caps and goals for Albania.
- As of 8 October 2015.[55]
Appearances records[edit]
| # | Name | Career | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
2002– | 88 | 1 |
| 2 |
|
1998–2011 | 80 | 3 |
| 3 |
|
2001–2011 | 78 | 6 |
| 4 | ||||
|
|
2000–2011 | 76 | 13 | |
| 5 |
|
1990–2004 | 74 | 0 |
|
|
1996–2013 | 74 | 18 | |
| 7 |
|
1997–2007 | 69 | 10 |
| 8 |
|
1995–2007 | 68 | 14 |
|
|
1995–2009 | 68 | 3 | |
| 10 |
|
1992–2005 | 64 | 11 |
|
|
2005–2013 | 64 | 1 |
Top goalscorers[edit]
| # | Name | Career | Goals | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
1996–2013 | 18 | 74 |
| 2 |
|
1995–2007 | 14 | 68 |
| 3 |
|
2000–2011 | 13 | 76 |
| 4 |
|
1992–2005 | 11 | 64 |
|
|
2006– | 11 | 50 | |
| 6 |
|
1987–1996 | 10 | 31 |
|
|
1997–2007 | 10 | 68 | |
| 8 |
|
2002–2006 | 8 | 29 |
| 9 |
|
1994–2002 | 6 | 41 |
|
|
2000–2011 | 6 | 78 | |
|
|
2004– | 6 | 41 | |
|
|
1946–1958 | 6 | 24 | |
|
|
1946–1952 | 6 | 13 |
Honours[edit]
- Winners of VIII Balkan Cup (Tirana, October 1946)
- Winners of Rothmans Football International Tournament: 2000 (VIII) (Valletta, 4 February — 10 February 2000)[59]
Competitive record[edit]
FIFA World Cup[edit]
| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D * | L | GF | GA | Position | Pld | W | D * | L | GF | GA | |
| Did Not Participate | ||||||||||||||||
| Did Not Qualify | 4/4 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 12 | |||||||||
| Entry Not Accepted[60] | ||||||||||||||||
| Did Not Qualify | 4/4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 13 | |||||||||
| Did Not Participate | ||||||||||||||||
| Did Not Qualify | 4/5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 22 | |||||||||
| 3/4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | ||||||||||
| 4/4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 15 | ||||||||||
| 7/7 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 26 | ||||||||||
| 6/6 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 20 | ||||||||||
| 5/5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 14 | ||||||||||
| 5/7 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 20 | ||||||||||
| 5/6 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 13 | ||||||||||
| 5/6 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 11 | ||||||||||
| To Be Determined | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | Best: – | 0/20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 94 | 13 | 13 | 68 | 62 | 175 | |
- * Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
UEFA European Championship[edit]
| UEFA European Championship record | UEFA European Championship Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D * | L | GF | GA | Position | Pld | W | D * | L | GF | GA | |
| Did Not Participate | ||||||||||||||||
| Did Not Qualify | First round | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | |||||||||
| 3/3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||
| 4/4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | ||||||||||
| Did Not Participate | ||||||||||||||||
| Did Not Qualify | 5/5 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 14 | |||||||||
| 4/4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 17 | ||||||||||
| 5/5 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 21 | ||||||||||
| 5/6 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 16 | ||||||||||
| 5/6 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 14 | ||||||||||
| 4/5 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 15 | ||||||||||
| 5/7 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 18 | ||||||||||
| 5/6 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 14 | ||||||||||
| Qualified | 2/5 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 5 | |||||||||
| Total | Best: – | 1/15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 93 | 18 | 22 | 53 | 78 | 159 | |
- * Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Head-to-Head records against other countries[edit]
- As of 17 October 2015
| Opponent | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Differential | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | H2H results 1964 match* | |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | H2H results | |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 0 | H2H results | |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 17 | -16 | H2H results | |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | H2H results | |
| 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 | -3 | H2H results | |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | =0 | H2H results | |
| 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | =0 | H2H results | |
| 13 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 17 | -9 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | =0 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | =0 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | =0 | H2H results | |
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 7 | +5 | H2H results | |
| 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 10 | -4 | H2H results | |
| 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 19 | -15 | H2H results | |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 | H2H results | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 | -11 | H2H results | |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | H2H results | |
| 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 8 | -2 | H2H results | |
| 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 12 | -9 | H2H results | |
| 13 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 21 | -10 | H2H results | |
| 14 (8) | 0 | 1 (1) | 13 (7) | 10 (2) | 38 (22) | -28 (-20) | H2H results | |
| 13 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 13 | +3 | [7][8][9]H2H results | |
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 19 | -19 | H2H resuls | |
| 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | -2 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | H2H results | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | H2H results | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | [61][62][63] | |
| 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 6 | =0 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | H2H results | |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | H2H results | |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | +5 | H2H results | |
| 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 10 | -6 | H2H results | |
| 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 3 | +11 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | H2H results | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | H2H results | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | H2H results | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 | -6 | H2H results | |
| 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 13 | -8 | H2H results | |
| 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | =0 | H2H results | |
| 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 14 | -7 | H2H results | |
| 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 13 | -8 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | H2H results | |
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -4 | H2H results | |
| 18 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 45 | -34 | H2H results | |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | H2H results | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | H2H results | |
| 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 6 | -4 | H2H results | |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 24 | -22 | H2H results | |
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | -5 | H2H results | |
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 11 | -7 | H2H results | |
| 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 8 | +3 | H2H results | |
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -4 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | H2H results | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | H2H Results | |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | H2H results | |
| 5 2 |
0 1 |
1 0 |
4 1 |
4 3 |
13 2 |
-9 1 |
H2H results | |
| 60 Countries | 301 | 74 | 64 | 163 | 269 | 479 | −210 | All results at EU-Football.info |
See also[edit]
- Albania national under-21 football team
- Albania national under-20 football team
- Albania national under-19 football team
- Albania national under-18 football team
- Albania national under-17 football team
- Albania national under-16 football team
- Albania national football team results (2010–present)
- Albania national youth football team
- Albanian Superliga
- Football in Albania
- List of Albania international footballers
References[edit]
- ^ a b FIFAAlbania. "Albania in FIFA website". FIFA. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ^ a b c Kirill. "Eloratings.net". Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ^ a b c Kirill (16 August 2010). "Albania matches". Kirill. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ^ "Zemra Shqiptare". Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ Besnik Dizdari (2007). Ballkaniada 1946: Shqipëria – kampione e Ballkanit ne startin e "Luftës së ftohtë" në Evropë. Rozafat. pp. 2–10. ISBN 978-99943-979-0-7.
- ^ 1963: Dy fitore 3–0 Greqisë dhe Shqipëria në 16-she të Europës!
- ^ a b Armillotta, Giovanni (14 October 2015). "Shqipëria në fazën finale? Nuk është hera e parë!". Panorama-Sport. Retrieved 17 October 2015. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "Armillotta.40Panorama" defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ a b UEFA. "Victories of Albania until Euro2016 qualifiers". Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ a b Dizdari, Besnik (15 October 2015). "Dr. Armillotta ka të drejtë". Panorama-Sport. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ Ndeshjet e pashlyeshme që çuan te “Drama e Trier-it”…
- ^ Vetëm 7 pikë, kombëtarja kuqezi na riktheu 10 vite pas
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- ^ Albanian Football Federation, files official complaint with UEFA regarding Netherlands game: Albania soccer website. Retrieved on September 16, 2007.
- ^ Baric: Po largohem
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- ^ Spain among top draw seeds
- ^ National Team Coefficients Overview
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- ^ Panorama, Opinion — 4 April, 2015 “Revolucioni” i Kombëtares, atdhetaria dhe “pseudoatdhetaria
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- ^ Team Focus: Not at the World Cup XI WhoScored.com
- ^ "54 futbollistë shqiptarë në 7 përfaqësuese për një ditë". Borozani.com. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "El Mundo Deportivo: Shqipëria, kombëtarja e munguar e botërorit". aSport.info. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "Talentë shqiptarë, 80 futbollistë në kombëtaret e huaja". Panorama Sport. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ ""Bekim" kuqezi në Aveiro, Shqipëria shokon Portugalinë". Panorama Sport. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
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- ^ AFP (24 October 2014). "Albania to appeal UEFA punishment over Serbia". Business Insider. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ^ "Serbia to appeal UEFA decision". Goal.com. 24 October 2014.
- ^ "Decisions upheld for Serbia-Albania match". UEFA.com. 2 December 2014.
- ^ "The football associations of Albania and Serbia file appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)" (PDF). http://www.tas-cas.org. Court of Arbitration for Sport. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ^ "FOOTBALL: The CAS rejects the appeal filed by the Serbian FA, upholds in part the appeal filed by the Albanian FA: the match Serbia-Albania is deemed to have been forfeited by Serbia (0-3)". Tribunal Arbitral du Sport / Court of Arbitration for Sport. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ^ "Albania head off Armenia threat". UEFA. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
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- ^ Ora News (11 October 2015). "Shqipëria kualifikohet, Presidenti Nishani vlerëson kombëtaren me dekoratën "Nderi i Kombit"". Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ a b "FOOTBALL: The CAS rejects the appeal filed by the Serbian FA, upholds in part the appeal filed by the Albanian FA: the match Serbia-Albania is deemed to have been forfeited by Serbia (0-3)". Tribunal Arbitral du Sport / Court of Arbitration for Sport. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ^ "Disciplinary decision on Serbia-Albania match". UEFA.com. 24 October 2014.
- ^ AFP (24 October 2014). "Albania to appeal UEFA punishment over Serbia". Business Insider. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ^ "Serbia to appeal UEFA decision". Goal.com. 24 October 2014.
- ^ "Decisions upheld for Serbia-Albania match". UEFA.com. 2 December 2014.
- ^ "The football associations of Albania and Serbia file appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)" (PDF). http://www.tas-cas.org. Court of Arbitration for Sport. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ^ Gazeta Tema (23 October 2014). "Folklorizmi shkon deri ne ekstrem". Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ De Biasi publikon listën e lojtarëve kundër Serbisë e Armenisë minuta90.com
- ^ Kombëtarja (Albania national team) FSHF.org
- ^ "Sport.albeu.com - UEFA "djeg" edhe "Ruzhdi Bizhutën" e "Niko Dovanën"". Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "Zbardhet projekti, ja si do jetë "Ruzhdi Bizhuta"". Panorama Sport. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ Hitzfeld: Tifozët shqiptarë janë fantastikë - Sport plus Bota Sot
- ^ Albania national team managers
- ^ Albania international footballers of all-time at EU-Football.info - National football teams of Europe
- ^ Albania national football team statistics and records: appearances - 1946* - Balkan Cup 11v11.com
- ^ Albania won Rothmans Football International Tournament 2000: a few words by Florent Hoxha Giovanni Armillotta on line
- ^ a b c d e f g h Kosovo vs. Albania (0:1) - 2002 National-Football-Teams.com +1 match included
- ^ "Rothmans Tournament 2000 match reports". Rothmans Tournament 2000 match reports. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "History of the FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition (by year)" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
- ^ International Matches 1993 - Europe, January-March RSSSF
- ^ Kosovo vs. Albania (0:1) National Football Teams
- ^ Koha shtesë ia siguroi fitoren Shqipërisë - Sport plus Bota Sot
External links[edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Albania National Football Team. |
- Albanian Federation football site
- FutbolliShqiptar.net
- AlbaniaSoccer.com
- AIFR archive of results: 1946-2000/01
- Tifozat Kuq e Zi / Red and Black Fan Club
- Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation – Albania
- Albania Sport
- Albanian Soccer News
- Frasheri, Dash (11 August 2010). "Albania, modest victory against Uzbekistan" (in Albanian). Albania Sport. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- Sauku, Endrit (21 January 2010). "History of the Qemal Stafa Temple". Albania Sport (in Albanian) (Dash Frasheri). Retrieved 3 August 2010.
- Worldstadiums. "Stadia in Albania". Retrieved 3 August 2010.
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