Albania national football team: Difference between revisions
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The '''Albania national football team''' is the national [[football (soccer)|football]] team of [[Albania]] and is controlled by the [[Football Association of Albania]]. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition. |
The '''Albania national football team''' is the national [[football (soccer)|football]] team of [[Albania]] and is controlled by the [[Football Association of Albania]]. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition. |
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Although |
Although not considered as one of the strongest footballing sides in Europe, Albania are passionate about there football an have occasionally managed to hold their own against more illustrious opponents. In the [[1968 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying|1968 European Championship qualifiers]], they managed a 0-0 draw against [[West Germany national football team|West Germany]], which eventually eliminated West Germany from qualification. During that era, Albania boasted arguably its greatest ever footballer, [[Panajot Pano]]. |
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The [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification|1986 FIFA World Cup qualifiers]] brought further notable results with a 2-2 draw away to [[Poland national football team|Poland]] and a 3-1 win over eventual semi-finalists [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]]. |
The [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification|1986 FIFA World Cup qualifiers]] brought further notable results with a 2-2 draw away to [[Poland national football team|Poland]] and a 3-1 win over eventual semi-finalists [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]]. |
Revision as of 08:54, 23 June 2007
Shirt badge/Association crest | |||
Nickname(s) | Kuq-E-Zi | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Football Association of Albania | ||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
Head coach | Otto Barić, 2006- | ||
Captain | Altin Lala | ||
Most caps | Foto Strakosha (73) | ||
Top scorer | Alban Bushi (14) | ||
Home stadium | Qemal Stafa | ||
FIFA code | ALB | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 69 | ||
Highest | 34 (August 2003) | ||
Lowest | 80 (August 1997) | ||
First international | |||
Albania 2 - 3 Yugoslavia (Tirana, Albania; October 7, 1946) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Albania 8 - 0 Guam (Tirana, Albania January 23, 1994) Albania 8 - 0 Vietnam (Norcia, Italy; February 12, 2003) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Albania 2 - 3 Hungary (Tirana, Albania; September 24, 1950) |
The Albania national football team is the national football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition.
Although not considered as one of the strongest footballing sides in Europe, Albania are passionate about there football an have occasionally managed to hold their own against more illustrious opponents. In the 1968 European Championship 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 3-1 win over eventual semi-finalists Belgium.
The qualifiers for the 1998 FIFA World Cup saw Albania forced to play some home games on neutral venues owing to civil unrest at home. However, they acheived a 4-1 win over Turkey. The 2004 European Championship and 2006 World Cup qualifiers have seen Albania's results improve markedly, including a 2-1 victory against European Champions Greece.
Famous players
- Foto Strakosha
- Besnik Hasi
- Mehmet Dragusha
- Loro Boriçi
- Riza Lushta
- Selman Stërmasi
- Sokol Kushta
- Vasil Ruci
- Ervin Skela
- Altin Lala
- Igli Tare
- Lorik Cana
- Panajot Pano
- Erjon Bogdani
- Edvin Murati
- Altin Rraklli
- Alban Bushi
- Rudi Vata
- Bledar Kola
- Naim Kryeziu
- Sulejman Demollari
- Arben Minga
- Agustin Kola
- Mirel Josa
- Besart Berisha
- Edmond Kapllani
Current squad
Other players eligible for the national squad
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Ilion Lika | May 17 1980 | 14 | Dinamo Tirana | ||
GK | Elvis Kotorri | July 04 1980 | Elbasani | |||
DF | Adrian Aliaj | September 24 1976 | NK Solin | |||
DF | Renaldo Rama | Olympiacos | ||||
DF | Tefik Osmani | October 08 1985 | Elbasani | |||
MF | Bledi Shkembi | August 13 1979 | Metalurg Zaporozhye | |||
MF | Mehmet Dragusha | October 09 1977 | SV Elversberg | |||
MF | Ervin Skela | November 17 1976 | Energie Cottbus | |||
FW | Florian Myrtaj | September 19 1975 | Teramo Calcio | |||
FW | Bekim Kastrati | March 25 1979 | Eintracht Braunschweig | |||
FW | Igli Tare | July 25 1973 | S.S. Lazio |
Notable Managers
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
- 1960 - Did not enter
- 1964 to 1972 - Did not qualify
- 1976 - Did not enter
- 1980 to 2004 - Did not qualify
Last Match
Luxembourg 0-3 Albania / Date: 06-June-2007 / Played for: EURO 2008 Qualifier / Score 0-3
Venue: Stade Josy Barthel, Route d'Arlon
Next Match
Albania Vs Netherlands / Date: 12 September 2007 / Playing For: EURO 2008 Qualifier / Score:
Venue: Qemal Stafa Stadium : Tirana, Albania