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Albania national under-21 football team

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Eni.Sukthi.Durres (talk | contribs) at 01:19, 12 August 2017 (Juljan Shehu moved to Paniliakos). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Albania national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania. The team competes in the European Under-21 Football Championship, which is held every two years.

Albania U21
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)[Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
Shpresat e Shqipërisë] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) (Albanian Hopes)
Association[[[Albanian Football Association|Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit]]] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) (FSHF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachAlban Bushi
CaptainQazim Laçi
Most capsAmarildo Belisha (16)
Top scorerArmando Sadiku (6)
Home stadiumElbasan Arena
Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA codeALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
First international
 Yugoslavia 1–0 Albania 
(Thessaloniki, Greece; 25 June 1976)[1]
Biggest win
 Albania 7–1 Romania 
(Tirana, Albania; April 12, 1978)[2]
Biggest defeat
 Germany 8–0 Albania 
(Cologne, Germany; March 23, 2001)
UEFA U-21 Championship
Appearances1 (first in 1984)
Best resultQuarter-finals, 1984

History

Balkan Youth Championship

Albania Under-21 participated in the Balkan Youth Championship, from 1976 to 1981 in 6 overall competitions, and won the two lasts, the 1978 and the 1981 with finals against Romania and Bulgaria. Notably in 1978 the second leg of the final match against Romania was characterized by a large Albania win (7–1), which is, until September 2014, the largest win ever recorded of Albania U-21.[3]

1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship

Main article: 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship

Albania Under-21's have managed to qualify only once in their history, and that came in the year of 1984 when they managed to qualify for the 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, although they were competing for the first time in such tournament. They were drawn in a very tough group which included the West Germany, Turkey and Austria. The historic event in Albanian football history is the only occasion where any Albanian national team has ever managed to qualify for a major European or even World championship. To this day the team that qualified for 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship are still regarded as the most successful team in Albanian football history. Albania U21 managed to qualify without losing a single game and managing two very good draws against one of the biggest and best footballing nations, West Germany.

Albania played the quarter finals against Italy, against which it lost twice 0–1, and 0–1, in Albania and Italy respectively. Italy advanced to the semifinals of Euro '84 and lost them against England, eventual champions of the tournament.

1986–1994

In the 1986 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania came last in group after Poland and Greece, and could not qualify. In the 1988 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania came again last in group after Spain, Romania nd Austria. In the 1990 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania came last in group after Sweden, England and Poland. In the 1992 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship managed to leave last in groupe Iceland, but was preceded by Czechoslovakia, France and Spain. In the qualifiers of the 1994 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania againe left at bottom the Republic of Ireland, but was preceded by Spain, Germany and Denmark.

1996–2002

In the 1996 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Albania did not participate. In the qualifiers of the 1998 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania left behind Armenia, but had to trail in the final rankings Germany, Ukraine, and Portugal. In the qualifiers of the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania trailed Greece, Norway, Georgia, Latvia, and Slovenia and closed at the bottom of the group. In the qualifiers of the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania came again last behind England, Greece, Germany, and Finland.

2004–2007

In the qualifiers of the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania had the best result since Euro '84, when it had won the group, as it left two teams behind (Republic of Ireland and Georgia), but was preceded by Switzerland and Russia, and thus failed to qualify to the main tournament. In the qualifiers of the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania left behind itself Kazakhstan, but was preceded by Denmark, Ukraine, Greece, Turkey, and Georgia. In the qualifiers of the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, in a 3 teams group, Albania came last behind Spain and Slovakia and failed to qualify.

2009–2013

In the qualifiers of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania was fourth out of 6 teams in the final ranking, leaving behind the Faroe Islands and Azerbaijan, but trailing behind Italy, Croatia and Greece. In the qualifiers of the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania left again behind Azerbaijan but trailed Scotland, Belarus, and Austria in the final rankings. In the qualifiers of the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania came last trailing behind Russia, Portugal, Poland, and Moldova. However, as a consolation for the first time an Albanian footballer, Armando Sadiku was the top goalscoarer of the group. Albania drew in Russia against the famous hosts during that tournament, a noticeable fact.

2015 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification

Group stage

Main article: 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Group 4

Template:2015 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Group 4

2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification

Main article: 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification

Group 4

Main article: 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 4

Template:2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 4

2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification

Main article: 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification

Group 2

Main article: 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 2

Template:2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 2

Recent results and forthcoming fixtures

2017

25 March 2017 (2017-03-25) Friendly Albania   0–0   Moldova Elbasan, Albania
15:00
(15:00 UTC+1)		 Report Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Referee: Andi Koçi (Albania)
27 March 2017 (2017-03-27) Friendly Albania   2–0   Moldova Tirana, Albania
15:00
(15:00 UTC+1)		 Abazaj   14'
Bytyqi   89'		 Report Stadium: Selman Stërmasi Stadium
5 June 2017 (2017-06-05) Friendly Albania   0–3   France Tirana, Albania
21:00
(21:00 UTC+2)		 Report Mousset   23'  45'
Siebatcheu   48'		 Stadium: Selman Stërmasi Stadium
Referee: Genc Nuza (Kosovo)
12 June 2017 (2017-06-12) 2019 UEFA Euro U21 qualification Albania   0–0   Estonia Elbasan, Albania
20:00
(UTC+2)		 Report Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Attendance: 3000[4]
Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway)
31 August 2017 (2017-08-31) 2019 UEFA Euro U21 qualification Northern Ireland   v   Albania
Report
4 September 2017 (2017-09-04) 2019 UEFA Euro U21 qualification Iceland   v   Albania
Report
10 October 2017 (2017-10-10) 2019 UEFA Euro U21 qualification Albania   v   Iceland
Report
10 November 2017 (2017-11-10) 2019 UEFA Euro U21 qualification Albania   v   Northern Ireland
Report

2018

23 March 2018 (2018-03-23) 2019 UEFA Euro U21 qualification Albania   v   Slovakia
27 March 2018 (2018-03-27) 2019 UEFA Euro U21 qualification Slovakia   v   Albania
6 September 2018 (2018-09-06) 2019 UEFA Euro U21 qualification Spain   v   Albania
11 October 2018 (2018-10-11) 2019 UEFA Euro U21 qualification Albania   v   Spain
16 October 2018 (2018-10-16) 2019 UEFA Euro U21 qualification Estonia   v   Albania

Players

Current Squad

COACH:   Alban Bushi

The following players were called up 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.[5]
Note: Qazim Laçi, Leonardo Maloku & Emanuele Ndoj got injured during gathering and were replaced with Agim Zeka & Regi Lushkja.[6]

Caps and goals as of 12 June 2017

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Gentian Selmani (1998-03-09) 9 March 1998 (age 26) 1 0   Laçi
12 1GK Elhan Kastrati (1997-02-02) 2 February 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Teuta Durrës
5 2DF Ardit Toli (1997-07-12) 12 July 1997 (age 27) 1 0   Olympiacos
4 2DF Shaqir Tafa (1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Monopoli
2 2DF Albi Doka (1997-06-26) 26 June 1997 (age 27) 1 0   Tirana
3 2DF Irlian Ceka (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 26) 1 0   Sambenedettese
20 2DF Marlind Nuriu (1997-07-05) 5 July 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Tirana
10 3MF Endri Çekiçi (1996-11-23) 23 November 1996 (age 27) 9 1   Dinamo Zagreb
8 3MF Keidi Bare (Captain) (1997-08-28) 28 August 1997 (age 26) 7 0   Atlético Madrid
6 3MF Ylber Ramadani (1996-04-12) 12 April 1996 (age 28) 2 0   Vejle Boldklub
7 3MF Taulant Seferi (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 (age 27) 1 0   Young Boys
11 3MF Kristal Abazaj (1996-07-06) 6 July 1996 (age 28) 1 0   Luftëtari Gjirokastër
17 3MF Sherif Kallaku (1998-03-01) 1 March 1998 (age 26) 1 0   Laçi
15 3MF Agim Zeka (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Lille
16 3MF Ardit Krymi (1996-05-02) 2 May 1996 (age 28) 0 0   Vllaznia Shkodër
14 4FW Fiorin Durmishaj (1996-11-14) 14 November 1996 (age 27) 3 0   Panionios
9 4FW Valdrin Mustafa (1998-03-11) 11 March 1998 (age 26) 1 0   FC Kaiserslautern
13 4FW Rubin Hebaj (1998-07-30) 30 July 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Domžale

Recent call-ups

Following players have been called up in the previous 12 months and are still eligible to represent Under 21 team.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Klevis Hasanbelli (1997-06-30) 30 June 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Kukësi Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
GK Jorgo Muça (1998-02-18) 18 February 1998 (age 26) 0 0   PAOK Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
GK Mario Dajsinani (1998-12-23) 23 December 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Skënderbeu Korçë Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
DF Arijan Qollaku (1997-02-04) 4 February 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Grasshopper v.   Estonia, 12 June 2017 INE
DF Bardhec Bytyqi   (1997-01-08) 8 January 1997 (age 27) 0 0   AaB v.   France, 5 June 2017 INJ
DF Leonardo Maloku   (1998-05-18) 18 May 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Santarcangelo v.   France, 5 June 2017 INJ
DF Ymer Shaba (1998-07-21) 21 July 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Dinamo Tirana Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
DF Elis Doksani (1998-07-05) 5 July 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Partizani Tirana Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
DF Rei Nuriu (1998-10-16) 16 October 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Tirana Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
DF Briland Ahmeti (1998-03-01) 1 March 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Akademia e Futbollit Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
DF Mario Teqja (1996-05-20) 20 May 1996 (age 28) 0 0   Erzeni Shijak Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
DF Armenis Kukaj (1997-08-11) 11 August 1997 (age 26) 0 0   Vllaznia Shkodër Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
DF Patrik Punavija (1998-04-17) 17 April 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Akademia e Futbollit Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
DF Ervis Koçi (1998-06-22) 22 June 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Akademia e Futbollit Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
DF Enea Mihaj (1998-07-05) 5 July 1998 (age 26) 1 0   Panetolikos v.   Moldova, 27 March 2017
DF Arlind Amidi (1997-03-15) 15 March 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Balzers Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
DF Laurant Sadiki (1997-09-24) 24 September 1997 (age 26) 0 0   Köniz Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
DF Idriz Voca (1997-05-15) 15 May 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Luzern Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
DF Kostandin Kariqi (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 28) 2 0 Unattached v.   Israel, 10 October 2016
DF David Domgjoni (1997-05-21) 21 May 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Tirana v.   Israel, 10 October 2016
MF Elvir Maloku   (1996-05-14) 14 May 1996 (age 28) 0 0   AEK Larnaca v.   Estonia, 12 June 2017 INJ
MF Federico Zenuni (1997-01-19) 19 January 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Viterbese Castrense v.   Estonia, 12 June 2017 PRE
MF Regi Lushkja (1996-05-17) 17 May 1996 (age 28) 0 0   Laçi v.   Estonia, 12 June 2017 PRE
MF Qazim Laçi   (1996-01-19) 19 January 1996 (age 28) 9 1   Ajaccio v.   France, 5 June 2017 INJ
MF Emanuele Ndoj   (1996-11-20) 20 November 1996 (age 27) 0 0   Brescia v.   France, 5 June 2017 INJ
MF Marco Hoxha (1998-09-22) 22 September 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Hellas Verona Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Jurgen Vrapi (1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Lokomotiva Zagreb Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Majkel Peçi (1996-08-29) 29 August 1996 (age 27) 0 0   Sopoti Librazhd Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Rei Qilimi (1996-06-10) 10 June 1996 (age 28) 0 0   Tirana Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Erli Çupi (1997-02-03) 3 February 1997 (age 27) 0 0   İstanbul Başakşehir Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Anxhelo Mumajesi (1997-03-28) 28 March 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Sopoti Librazhd Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Mikel Hoxha (1997-05-24) 24 May 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Sopoti Librazhd Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Albi Koldashi (1997-07-06) 6 July 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Kukësi Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Silvio Zogaj (1997-07-25) 25 July 1997 (age 26) 0 0   Luftëtari Gjirokastër Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Egli Kaja (1997-07-26) 26 July 1997 (age 26) 0 0   AFC Wimbledon Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Endi Brahimi (1998-01-02) 2 January 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Vllaznia Shkodër Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Arber Basha (1998-01-13) 13 January 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Vllaznia Pozheran Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Alain Cano (1998-07-05) 5 July 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Sansepolcro Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Juljan Shehu (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Paniliakos Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Kevin Xhafa (1999-03-01) 1 March 1999 (age 25) 0 0   Akademia e Futbollit Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
MF Ardit Deliu (1997-10-26) 26 October 1997 (age 26) 0 0   Hajduk Split v.   Moldova, 27 March 2017
MF Nazmi Gripshi (1997-07-05) 5 July 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Skënderbeu Korçë v.   Moldova, 27 March 2017
MF Emir Sahiti (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Rabotnički Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
MF Fabio Sakaj (1998-02-02) 2 February 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Modena Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
MF Romeo Shahinas (1996-02-25) 25 February 1996 (age 28) 0 0   Partizani Tirana Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
MF Amarildo Gjoka (1997-06-03) 3 June 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Oudenaarde Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
MF Heroid Gjoshi (1997-05-18) 18 May 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Wil Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
MF Alfred Ajdarević (1998-06-20) 20 June 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Örebro Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
MF Jurgen Bardhi (1997-11-06) 6 November 1997 (age 26) 3 0   Partizani Tirana v.   Israel, 10 October 2016
MF Realdo Fili (1996-05-14) 14 May 1996 (age 28) 2 0   Partizani Tirana v.   Israel, 10 October 2016
MF Uendi Vecaj (1997-02-18) 18 February 1997 (age 27) 1 0   Vllaznia Shkodër v.   Israel, 10 October 2016
FW Grent Halili (1998-05-24) 24 May 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Tirana v.   Estonia, 12 June 2017 PRE
FW Franc Bakalli (1997-04-15) 15 April 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Metaloglobus București Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
FW Marko Çema (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Internacional Tirana Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
FW Blerim Krasniqi (1996-07-05) 5 July 1996 (age 28) 0 0   Apolonia Fier Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
FW Kristjan Prendi (1997-10-13) 13 October 1997 (age 26) 0 0   Bylis Ballsh Gathering between 14–17 May 2017
FW Gerbi Gjepali (1998-05-26) 26 May 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Savona v.   Moldova, 27 March 2017
FW Olger Merkaj (1997-07-23) 23 July 1997 (age 26) 0 0   Casale Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
FW Arian Kabashi (1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Elfsborg Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
FW Çlirim Shabani (1998-06-16) 16 June 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Luzern Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 25 January 2017
FW Rey Manaj (1997-02-24) 24 February 1997 (age 27) 6 3   Pisa v.   Greece, 2 September 2016
FW Fabian Mirdita (1997-05-21) 21 May 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Monaco v.   Greece, 2 September 2016
  • INJ = Withdrew due to the injury.
  • INE = Was ineligible to play.
  • PRE = Preliminary squad.

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff:[7]

Position Name
Head Coach   Alban Bushi
Assistant Coach   Arjan Bellaj
Goalkeeping Coach   Alfred Osmani
Athletic Coach   Iris Selimi
Team Doctor   Erald Derveni
Physiotherapists   Gledi Rexha
Physiotherapists   Edison Koçi
Base materials   Roland Rarani

Competitive record

UEFA European Under-23 Championship

The event was classified as a U-23 tournament where at time were played three competitions, 1972, 1974 & 1976.

Main article: Albania national under-23 football team § Competitive record

UEFA U-21 Championship Record

UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship record UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Qualification record
Year Round Pld W D * L GF GA Position Pld W D * L GF GA
1978 Did Not Participate
1980
1982
1984 Quarter-finals 2 0 0 2 0 2 Qualifying stage 1/4 6 4 2 0 9 3
1986 Did not qualify Qualifying Stage 3/3 4 1 0 3 3 7
1988 Qualifying Stage 4/4 6 0 2 4 4 10
1990 Qualifying Stage 4/4 6 0 1 5 1 8
1992 Qualifying Stage 4/5 7 1 2 4 3 13
  1994 Qualifying round 4/5 8 1 2 5 5 18
  1996 Did Not Participate
  1998 Did not qualify Qualifying round 4/5 8 1 1 6 6 19
  2000 Qualifying round 6/6 10 1 4 5 8 21
  2002 Qualifying round 5/5 8 1 1 6 3 19
  2004 Qualifying round 3/5 8 3 1 4 10 10
  2006 Qualifying round 6/7 12 2 3 7 9 27
  2007 Qualifying round 3/3 2 0 1 1 0 3
  2009 Qualifying round 4/6 10 3 3 4 10 13
  2011 Qualifying round 4/5 8 1 1 6 11 20
  2013 Qualifying round 5/5 8 1 2 5 11 18
  2015 Qualifying round 5/5 8 2 0 6 7 15
  2017 Qualifying round 4/6 10 3 3 4 11 20
    2019 To Be Determined Qualifying round 2/6 1 0 1 0 0 0
Total: 1/20 Best: Quarter-finals 2 0 0 2 0 2 Total 130 25 30 75 112 249

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

*The 2017 Competition in Italic hasn't finished completely

Balkan Youth Championship Record

Balkan Youth Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
1976–1978 Champions 1st 6 3 2 1 12 6
  1981 Champions 1st 2 2 0 0 6 2
Total 2 Titles 2/2 8 5 2 1 18 8
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty shoot-out.
**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.

Honours

Balkan Youth Championship
  • Winners (2): 1978, 1981

See also

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Players of Albania national under-21 football team.

References

  1. ^ Balkan Youth Championship 1976 RSSSF
  2. ^ Second leg of the Balkan Youth Championship final RSSSF
  3. ^ Balkan Youth Championship 1968–1981 RSSSF
  4. ^ attendance Albania U21 vs. Estonia U21 - 12 June 2017 Soccerway
  5. ^ Alban Bushi shpall listën e U21 për Francën dhe Estoninë FSHF.org
  6. ^ Tronditet kombëtarja U-21, dëmtohen tre titullarë. Thirren me urgjencë Lushkja dhe Zeka Panorama Sport
  7. ^ Kombëtarja U-21 (Albania national under-21 team) FSHF.org
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