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Qazim Laçi

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Qazim Laçi
Laçi with Ajaccio in 2018
Personal information
Date of birth (1996-01-19) 19 January 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Peshkopi, Albania
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Sparta Prague
Number 20
Youth career
0000–2016 Olympiacos
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2018 Olympiacos 0 (0)
2016 → APOEL (loan) 0 (0)
2017 → Levadiakos (loan) 10 (0)
2017–2018 → Ajaccio (loan) 21 (3)
2017 → Ajaccio B (loan) 1 (0)
2018–2022 Ajaccio 116 (7)
2018–2019 Ajaccio B 3 (1)
2022– Sparta Prague 44 (1)
International career‡
2012 Albania U17 1 (0)
2014 Albania U19 3 (0)
2015–2018 Albania U21 20 (1)
2020– Albania 30 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 June 2024

Qazim Laçi (born 19 January 1996) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Czech First League club Sparta Prague and the Albania national team.

Raised in Greece from a young age, Laçi began his career with Olympiacos, spending three years there that included multiple loan spells. He signed with French club Ajaccio in 2018, helping them achieve promotion to Ligue 1 in the 2021–22 season. In late 2022, he joined Sparta Prague, winning a league and cup double in his first full season.

Laçi made his senior international debut for Albania in 2020 after playing for them at various youth levels. He represented his country at UEFA Euro 2024.

Club career

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Early career

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Laçi was born in Peshkopi, Albania, with origins from Laç which can be seen from his surname, but his family moved to Greece when he was young.[2] His family was placed in Galatsi where he started his youth career with the most successful club in Greek football Olympiacos.[3]

Laçi was part of the Olympiacos U-19 squad which participated in the new created championship 2013–14 UEFA Youth League, a European youth club football competition organised by UEFA, which was contested by the under-19 youth teams of the 32 clubs qualified for the group stage of the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League. He played 5 matches in this competition including two as a starter and Olympiacos U-19 were eliminated in the group stage.[4]

In the following season 2014–15 UEFA Youth League he became a regular starter in the team where he played all matches as a starter and managed to score 4 goals. He scored in 3 consecutive group stage matches against Malmö (3–1) and two times in two matches against Juventus (1–1 & 3–0) and then another brace against Malmo in a 2–0 win. Olympiacos managed to qualify for the next round and played against Shakhtar Donetsk where they were eliminated after the Penalty shoot-out after regular time finished in a 1–1 draw, where Laçi himself scored the 4th penalty kick.[4]

Despite he was 19-years-old according to UEFA rules, a team could take a maximum of three players born between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1996 and Laçi managed participate with Olympiacos U-19 in another season 2015–16 UEFA Youth League. In this competition he played 5 out 6 group stage matches and all in the starting line up substituting off in just one case. Olympiacos U-19 were equally good with Arsenal and Bayern Munich, with each collecting 10 points, but Olympiacos were ranked last of them (3rd place) due to head-to-head rules.[4]

Olympiacos

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For the first time Laçi was included in the Olympiacos first team squad who participated in the 2014–15 Greek Cup semi-final game against Apollon Smyrni on 8 April 2015 by coach Vítor Pereira. He didn't manage to play in this match.[5] Also after 3 weeks Laçi was included in the team for the second-leg against Apollon Smyrni but once again he didn't manage to make his debut and Olympiacos got a 1–1 draw to qualify for the Final with aggregate 4–1.[6]

In the 2015–16 season Laçi took part with Olympiacos first team against Dinamo Zagreb on 20 October 2015, match valid for the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League group stage, where it was his first match to participate in a major competition such as the UEFA Champions League.[7]

He made his professional debut on 3 February 2016 under coach Marco Silva in the 2015–16 Greek Cup 1/4 finals against Asteras Tripoli coming on as a substitute in the 90th minute in place of Andreas Bouchalakis.[3][8]

Loan to APOEL

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On 16 June 2016, Laçi joined reigning Cypriot champions APOEL on a one-year loan deal from Olympiacos, having the chance to appear in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers with his new team.[9][10] On 4 January 2017, however, after failing to appear in any official games, APOEL announced that Laçi's loan was terminated, and the player would return to Olympiacos.[11]

Loan to Levadiakos

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In January 2017 Laçi was loaned to Levadiakos[12] He made his debut a week later on 14 January 2017 against Veria F.C. playing in the last 15 minutes.[13]

Ajaccio

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In July 2017, Laçi was loaned to Ligue 2 club Ajaccio until the end of the 2017–18 season.[14][15] He scored his first goal on 18 August 2017 against Paris FC, after coming on as a substitute in the 66th minute for fellow goalscorer Johan Cavalli. Laçi managed to score after a counter-attack to secure the 2–0 victory for his side.[16]

Sparta Prague

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On 29 December 2022, Laçi signed a contract with Czech First League club Sparta Prague.[17] He scored his first goal for the club as a direct free-kick in a 3–3 draw against FC Copenhagen,[18] which Sparta would go on to lose on penalties.

International career

[edit]

Albania U17

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Laçi was called up for the first time in international level at Albania national under-17 football team by coach Džemal Mustedanagić to participate in the 2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round in October 2012. He made his debut against Hungary U17 on 20 October 2012 coming on as a substitute in the first half in place of Berat Beqiri.[19] For the other two group matches he was an unused substitute.[4]

Albania U19

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He advanced higherly in international level as he was called up in the Albania U19 squad by coach Foto Strakosha for the friendly match against Italy U19 on 14 May 2014.[20]

Laçi was invited by new Albania U19s coach Altin Lala to participate in the 2015 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying round for the matches against Denmark, Portugal and Wales, in the match-dates 12–17 November 2014.[21] Under the coach Altin Lala, he played every minute in the qualifying competition but Albania U19 lost all three group matches and were ranked in the 4th last place with total of goals collected 2–7, where all two goals were scored by Esad Morina of FC Schalke 04 youth.[4][22]

Albania U21

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Laçi continued higherly as he was called up also in the Albania national under-21 football team by coach Skënder Gega for the start of the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification against Liechtenstein U21 on 28 March 2015. Anyway a few days later he declared that wasn't unable to participate in this match due to the injury.[23] However, in September he was called up by a new appointed coach at the Albania U21, Redi Jupi, for the next 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against Israel & Portugal on 3 & 8 September 2015.[24] In both matches he managed to play for the full 90-minutes. Albania U21 managed to take a 1–1 equaliser against Israel with a Penalty kick won by Milot Rashica and scored by Endri Çekiçi.[25] He played another full 90-minutes match against Hungary U21 on 13 October 2015 to help his team to take a 2–2 draw.[26] Laçi was called up for the next consecutive matches against Portugal U21 & Liechtenstein U21 on 12 & 16 November 2015.[27] He played the full 90-minutes match against Portugal U21 where they were beaten 0–4. He scored his first goal for Albania U21 against Liechtenstein U21 on 16 November 2015 in the 83rd minute to sign the definitive result as a 2–0 victory.[28]

Laçi was called up by coach Alban Bushi for the Friendly match against France U21 on 5 June 2017 and the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification opening match against Estonia U21 on 12 June 2017.[29] During the gathering for these matches Laçi among Leonardo Maloku & Emanuele Ndoj suffered injures and missed out both matches and coach Alban Bushi called up Agim Zeka and Regi Lushkja as a replacement.[30]

Albania

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On 7 September 2020, Laçi debuted for the Albanian senior team in a 2020–21 UEFA Nations League C match against Lithuania.[31] He scored his first senior international goal in a 5–0 victory against San Marino in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification on 8 September 2021.[32]

In June 2024, he was called up to represent Albania at UEFA Euro 2024.[33] He scored in a 2–2 draw against Croatia in the group stage.[34]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 18 May 2024[35]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Olympiacos 2015–16 Super League Greece 0 0 1 0 — 1 0
APOEL 2016–17 Cypriot First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Levadiakos 2016–17 Super League Greece 10 0 1 0 — 11 0
Ajaccio (loan) 2017–18 Ligue 2 21 3 1 0 4[a] 0 26 3
Ajaccio B (loan) 2017–18 Championnat National 3 1 0 — — 1 0
Ajaccio 2018–19 Ligue 2 19 0 1 0 2[b] 0 22 0
2019–20 Ligue 2 27 3 1 0 2[b] 1 30 4
2020–21 Ligue 2 36 1 1 0 — 37 1
2021–22 Ligue 2 34 3 0 0 — 34 3
2022–23 Ligue 1 9 0 — — 9 0
Total 125 7 3 0 4 1 131 8
Ajaccio B 2018–19 Championnat National 3 3 1 — — 3 1
Sparta 2022–23 Czech First League 17 0 3 0 — 20 0
2023–24 Czech First League 27 1 2 0 14 1 41 2
Total 44 1 5 0 14 1 63 2
Career total 204 12 11 0 22 2 231 14
  1. ^ Three appearances in Ligue 1 relegation/promotion play-offs, one appearance in the Coupe de la Ligue
  2. ^ a b Appearances in the Coupe de la Ligue

International

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As of match played 19 June 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Albania
2020 5 0
2021 9 1
2022 6 0
2023 3 1
2024 6 2
Total 29 4
As of 19 June 2024[35]
Scores and results list Albania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Laçi goal.
List of international goals scored by Qazim Laçi
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 8 September 2021 Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, Albania 12  San Marino 2–0 5–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 17 October 2023 Arena Kombëtare, Tirana, Albania 22  Bulgaria 1–0 2–0 Friendly
3 7 June 2024 Haladás Sportkomplexum, Szombathely, Hungary 27  Azerbaijan 3–0 3–1 Friendly
4 19 June 2024 Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany 29  Croatia 1–0 2–2 UEFA Euro 2024

Honours

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Olympiacos

Sparta Prague

References

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  1. ^ "Qazim Laçi". AC Ajaccio. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Qazim Laci". sparta.cz. AC Sparta Prague. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Qazim Laçi, debuton tek Olympiacos" [Qazim Laçi, debuts at Olympiacos] (in Albanian). Alb-Sport.info. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Qazim Laçi matches". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Apollon Smirnis vs. Olympiakos Piraeus - 8 April 2015". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Olympiakos Piraeus vs. Apollon Smirnis - 29 April 2015". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  7. ^ "UEFA Champions League 2016 - Dinamo Zagreb-Olympiacos". UEFA.com. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Asteras Tripolis vs. Olympiakos Piraeus - 3 February 2016". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Συμφωνία δανεισμού Qazim Laci" [Qazim Laci loan deal] (in Greek). APOEL FC. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  10. ^ "Δανεικός στον ΑΠΟΕΛ ο Λάτσι" [Laci on loan to APOEL] (in Greek). Olympiacos FC. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  11. ^ "Τερματισμός δανεισμού Qazim Laci" [Qazim Laci loan termination] (in Greek). APOEL FC. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  12. ^ "Υπέγραψε και ο Qazim Laci". www.levadiakosfc.gr (in Greek). Levadiakos F.C. 8 January 2017. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  13. ^ Firmosi një javë më parë, Qazim Laçi debuton me Levadhiakos Panorama Sport
  14. ^ Qazim Laci drejt huazimit, në provë te Ajaccio SuperSport
  15. ^ "Υπέγραψε στην Αζαξιό ο Λάτσι" (in Greek). www.sdna.gr. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  16. ^ Video / Tre ndeshje i mjaftojnë Qazim Laçit, vjen goli i parë në Francë Panorama Sport
  17. ^ "Qazim Laci sparťanem" (in Czech). AC Sparta Prague. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  18. ^ Novák, Miloslav (15 August 2023). "Sparta - Kodaň 3:3, 2:4 na pen. Sbohem, Ligo mistrů. Poražení dvakrát vedli". iDNES.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  19. ^ Albania U17 vs. Hungary U17 - 20 October 2012 Soccerway
  20. ^ U-19: Shqipëria miqësore me Italinë Archived 6 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine aSport.al
  21. ^ Barazon Kombëtarja, Lala: Kualifikohemi në Europian Archived 20 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine Panorama Sport
  22. ^ Summary - UEFA U19 Championship - Europe - Results, fixtures, tables and news Soccerway
  23. ^ Shpresat nisin kualifikimet kundër Lihtenshtajnit Archived 17 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine aSport.al
  24. ^ Grumbullohet kombetarja U-21 Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
  25. ^ Under-21 2017 - Albania-Israel Commentary UEFA.com
  26. ^ Hungary U21 vs. Albania U21 - 13 October 2015 Soccerway
  27. ^ Eliminatoret, publikohet lista e U-21 FSHF.org
  28. ^ Albania U21 vs. Liechtenstein U21 - 16 November 2015 Soccerway
  29. ^ Alban Bushi shpall listën e U21 për Francën dhe Estoninë Archived 5 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
  30. ^ Tronditet kombëtarja U-21, dëmtohen tre titullarë. Thirren me urgjencë Lushkja dhe Zeka Panorama Sport
  31. ^ "Debuton Qazim Laçi, riktehet Sadiku në sulm" [Qazim Laçi debuts, Sadiku returns to attack]. Gazeta Si (in Albanian). 7 September 2020.
  32. ^ "Albania on holiday! Defeats San Marino 5-0 and takes second place in the group". politiko.al. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  33. ^ "Trajneri Silvinjo publikon listën e Kombëtares me emrat e 26 lojtarëve për Kampionatin Europian "Gjermani 2024"" [Coach Sylvinho publishes the national team list with the names of 26 players for the European Championship "Germany 2024"]. Albanian Football Federation (in Albanian). 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Croatia 2–2 Albania: Gjasula redemption with late equaliser". UEFA. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  35. ^ a b Qazim Laçi at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  36. ^ "Sparta v euforii! Remíza na Slovácku odstartovala mistrovské oslavy". Sport.cz (in Czech). Czech News Agency. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  37. ^ "SESTŘIH: Boleslav - Sparta 0:5. Titul pro Letenské! Kuchta dal čtyři góly". Blesk (in Czech). Czech News Center. Czech News Agency. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  38. ^ Neumann, Robert (22 May 2024). "Sparta slaví double! Triumf v nervózním finále trefil Birmančevič". Sport.cz (in Czech). Borgis. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
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