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| {{flagicon|Albania}} Gentian Prokopi
| {{flagicon|Albania}} Gentian Prokopi
|}
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| '''Pes 2011 player Stats & DataBase ''' || {{flagicon|Albania}} Joni Sula
'''Pes 2011 player Stats & DataBase ''' {{flagicon|Albania}} Joni Sula


==Stadium==
==Stadium==

Revision as of 20:04, 12 March 2011

Albania
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Kuq e Zinjtë
(Red and Blacks)
AssociationFootball Association of Albania
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachCroatia Josip Kuže
CaptainAltin Lala
Most capsAltin Lala (73)
Top scorerAlban Bushi (14)
Home stadiumQemal Stafa
FIFA codeALB
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current66[1][2]
Highest58 (November 2010[3])
Lowest124 (August 1997[3])
First international
Albania Albania 2–3 Yugoslavia Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(Tirana, Albania; October 7, 1946)[4]
Biggest win
Albania Albania 6-1 Cyprus Cyprus
(Tirana, Albania August 12, 2009)[4]
Biggest defeat
Hungary Hungary 12–0 Albania Albania
(Budapest, Hungary; September 24, 1950)[4]
European Championship
Appearances1 (first in 1964)
Best resultRound of 16, 1964

The Albania national association football team is the national association 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 1934 World Cup, but owing to organizing difficulties, it didn't take part.

In addition to the senior football team, Albania also has teams of U21, U19, U17 and U15 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 national team, but only a national league.


History of Balkan Cup, Euro Cup and World Cup Participations

Results in History

Main article: Albania national football team results

Recent developments

In December 2007, Football Association of Albania's president, Armand Duka, announced Arie Haan would replace Croatia's Otto Barić as Albania head coach. Haan signed a two-year contract on January 4, 2008.[6]

Albania started their 2010 FIFA World Cup 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 Football Association. The suspension lasted 46 days.[7][8][9]

FIFA World Cup 2010

Main article: 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 1

Albania kicked the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification off to a good start with a 0-0 tie against Sweden. Four days later, the Albanians defeated Malta by a score of 3-0 with 2 of the goals coming from Erion Bogdani Armend Dallku and another from Klodian Duro. On October 11 however, the Albanians lost to Hungary 2-0 in Budapest. But surprised the world by drawing 0-0 with Portugal in Braga. On February 11, Albania were only able to draw with Malta who fought hard at Ta'Qali. Albania then lost to Hungary at home 1-0 on March 28. And on April 1, Albania suffered a heavy blow to Denmark 3-0. In the home leg against Portugal, Hugo Almeida scored early for Portugal, but Albania quickly 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. The last memorable result was a 1-1 tie with Denmark, drawing the game after being behind. Albania ended the campaign with a disappointing 4-1 loss against Sweden.

Template:2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 1

UEFA Euro Cup 2012

Main article: UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group D

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.[10] Seedings were based on the UEFA national team coefficient ranking.[11][12] Albania was drawn in Group D along with France, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, and Luxembourg.

Group D

Main article: UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group D

Template:UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group D

Results and fixtures

Group D fixtures were negotiated between the participants at a meeting in Luxembourg on 19 February 2010.[13]

Romania 1 – 1 Albania
Stancu 80' Report Muzaka 87'
Attendance: 13,000
Albania 1 – 0 Luxembourg
Salihi 37' Report
Attendance: 11,800
Albania 1 – 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Duro 45+2' Report Ibišević 21'
Attendance: 19,600
Belarus 2 – 0 Albania
Rodionov 10'
Krivets 77'		 Report
Attendance: 7,000
Albania v Belarus
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Albania
Albania v France
Luxembourg v Albania
France v Albania
Albania v Romania

Current squad

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Arjan Beqaj (1975-08-25) August 25, 1975 (age 49) 39 0 Cyprus Ermis Aradippou
23 1GK Samir Ujkani (1988-07-05) July 5, 1988 (age 36) 4 0 Italy Novara
2 2DF Andi Lila (1986-02-12) February 12, 1986 (age 38) 12 0 Albania Tirana
3 2DF Kristi Vangjeli (1985-09-05) September 5, 1985 (age 39) 23 0 Greece Aris Thessaloniki
4 2DF Armend Dallku (1983-06-16) June 16, 1983 (age 41) 41 2 Ukraine Vorskla Poltava
6 2DF Debatik Curri (1983-12-28) December 28, 1983 (age 41) 32 1 Turkey Gençlerbirliği
7 2DF Ansi Agolli (1982-10-11) October 11, 1982 (age 42) 20 2 Azerbaijan Qarabağ Ağdam
15 2DF Endrit Vrapi (1982-05-23) May 23, 1982 (age 42) 9 0 Albania Skënderbeu Korçë
16 2DF Admir Teli (1981-06-02) June 2, 1981 (age 43) 4 0 Azerbaijan Qarabağ Ağdam
5 3MF Lorik Cana (captain) (1983-07-27) July 27, 1983 (age 41) 46 1 Turkey Galatasaray
8 3MF Ervin Bulku (1981-03-03) March 3, 1981 (age 43) 29 0 Croatia Hajduk Split
10 3MF Klodian Duro (1977-12-21) December 21, 1977 (age 47) 72 6 Austria LASK Linz
14 3MF Altin Lala (vice-captain) (1975-11-18) November 18, 1975 (age 49) 72 3 Germany Hannover 96
3MF Ledian Memushaj (1986-12-07) December 7, 1986 (age 38) 0 0 Italy Chievo
17 3MF Gilman Lika (1987-01-13) January 13, 1987 (age 37) 4 0 Albania Tirana
20 3MF Gjergji Muzaka (1984-09-26) September 26, 1984 (age 40) 5 1 Albania Skënderbeu Korçë
28 3MF Emiljano Vila (1988-03-12) March 12, 1988 (age 36) 4 1 Albania Dinamo Tirana
9 4FW Edmond Kapllani (1982-07-31) July 31, 1982 (age 42) 29 6 Germany Paderborn 07
18 4FW Hamdi Salihi (1984-01-19) January 19, 1984 (age 40) 25 7 Austria Rapid Wien
22 4FW Erjon Bogdani (1977-04-14) April 14, 1977 (age 47) 60 12 Italy Cesena
4FW Elis Bakaj (1987-06-25) June 25, 1987 (age 37) 7 0 Romania Dinamo Bucureşti

Recent callups

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
12 1GK Isli Hidi (1980-10-15) October 15, 1980 (age 44) 14 0 Cyprus Olympiakos Nicosia
2DF Elvin Beqiri (1980-09-27) September 27, 1980 (age 44) 47 0 Azerbaijan Khazar Lankaran
3MF Dorian Bylykbashi (1980-08-08) August 8, 1980 (age 44) 3 0 Albania Elbasani
4FW Xhevahir Sukaj (1987-10-05) October 5, 1987 (age 37) 1 0 Albania Vllaznia
4FW Migen Memelli (1980-04-25) April 25, 1980 (age 44) 1 1 Saudi Arabia Al-Faisaly
4FW Bekim Bala (1991-01-11) January 11, 1991 (age 33) 0 0 Albania Tirana
4FW Parid Xhihani (1983-07-18) July 18, 1983 (age 41) 0 0 Ukraine Zorya Luhansk
11 4FW Besart Berisha (1985-07-29) July 29, 1985 (age 39) 17 1 Germany Arminia Bielefeld
4FW Ahmed Januzi (1988-07-08) July 8, 1988 (age 36) 0 0 Ukraine Vorskla Poltava

Coaching staff

According to the FSHF website, the following is the current coaching staff:[14]

Head Coach Croatia Josip Kuže
Assistant Coach Bosnia and Herzegovina Džemal Mustedanagić
Goalkeeping Coach Albania Ilir Bozhiqi
Team Doctor Albania
Physios Belgium Stijn Vandenbroucke
Albania Gentian Prokopi 
Pes 2011 player Stats & DataBase   Albania    Joni Sula

Stadium

Qemal Stafa Stadium as seen from the Sheraton hotel.

Most of the matches of Albanian national team have been played in Qemal Stafa. The stadium was built in 1946 as a multi-use stadium.[15] Today, it is mostly used for football matches. The stadium is an all-seater with a capacity of 19,600 spectators.[16]

Albania has also used the Loro-Boriçi stadium in Shkodra, where Albania have had some successful matches, such as the success against Russia 3–1 in a home Euro 2004 qualifying match, and the Niko Dovana Stadium in Durrës in a friendly against Uzbekistan on August 11, 2010.[17]

Supporters

Albania has a supporters' association, the Tifozat Kuq e Zi. The association self-finances their activities.[18]

Statistics

Managerial History

This is a chronological list of the 22 managers who have guided Albania since 1946 (note that Bejkush Birçe and Agron Sulaj have had the job twice):[19]

  1. Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Ljubiša Broćić
  2. Albania Adem Karapici
  3. Albania Sllave Llambi
  4. Albania Ludovik Jakova
  5. Albania Myslim Alla
  6. Miklos Vadas  Hungary
  7. Loro Boriçi  Albania
  8. Nikolai Mihailovic Ljuksinov  Soviet Union
  9. Zyber Konçi  Albania
  10. Ilia Shuke  Albania
  11. Shyqyri Rreli  Albania
  12. Agron Sulaj  Albania
  13. Bejkush Birçe  Albania
  14. Agron Sulaj  Albania
  15. Bejkush Birçe  Albania
  16. Neptun Bajko  Albania
  17. Astrit Hafizi  Albania
  18. Medin Zhega  Albania
  19. Sulejman Demollari  Albania
  20. Giuseppe Dossena  Italy
  21. Hans-Peter Briegel  Germany
  22. Otto Baric  Croatia
  23. Arie Haan  Netherlands
  24. Josip Kuže  Croatia

Players

Most appearances

Below is a list of the 10 players with the most appearances for Albania, as of November 14, 2009 (* denotes players still available for selection):[20]

No Name Matches Goals First game (age) Last game (age)
1 Foto Strakosha 73 0 5-30-1990 08-13-2004 (39)
2 Altin Lala* 72 3 1998 02-09-2011 (35)
3 Klodian Duro* 72 6 2001 (23) 02-09-2011 (33)
4 Ksaniel Hasanki* 2011 13 2000 (18) 10-12-2009 (18)
5 Igli Tare 68 10 1997 7-2-2007 (33)
6 Alban Bushi* 67 14 1995 17-11-2007 (34)
7 Altin Haxhi* 66 3 1995 11-14-2009 (32)
8 Altin Rraklli 63 11 1992 30-3-2005 (34)
9 Erion Bogdani* 60 12 1996 02-09-2011 (34)
10 Rudi Vata 59 5 30-5-1990 (21) 1-9-2001 (32)

Top goalscorers

Below is a list of the 10 players with the most goals for Albania, as of March 17, 2010 (* denotes players still available for selection):[21]

No Name First game Last game Goals Caps Goals per Match
1 Alban Bushi* 1995 2007 14 67 0.21
2 Ervin Skela* 2000 2010 13 71 0.20
3 Erjon Bogdani* 1996 2011 12 60 0.23
4 Altin Rraklli 1992 2005 11 61 0.17
5 Sokol Kushta 1987 1996 10 31 0.32
6 Igli Tare 1997 2007 10 68 0.15
7 Adrian Aliaj 2002 2006 8 29 0.28
8 Hamdi Salihi 2006 2011 7 25 0.31
9 Klodian Duro* 2001 2011 6 72 0.11
10 Bledar Kola 1994 2007 6 39 0.15

Honours

Senior team

  • Winners of VIII Balkan Cup (Tirana, October 1946)
  • Winners of Rothmans Football International Tournament (Valletta, February 4 — February 10, 2000)[22]

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 participate
  • 1966 - Did not qualify
  • 1970 - Did not participate
  • 1974 - Did not qualify
  • 1978 - Did not participate
  • 1982 to 2010 - Did not qualify

European Championship record

See also

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ FIFA (20 Oktober 2010). "FIFA Coca Cola Ranking". Retrieved 15 September 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b FIFAAlbania. "Albania in FIFA website". FIFA. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  4. ^ a b c Kirill (16 August 2010). "Albania matches". Kirill. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  5. ^ Kirill. "Eloratings.net". Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  6. ^ AFP. "Haan named Albania boss". FIFA. FIFA. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  7. ^ Albania suspension lifted by FIFA [dead link‍]
  8. ^ FIFA says its emergency committee has decided to lift suspension of Albania [dead link‍]
  9. ^ FIFA lifts suspension of Albania over alleged interference
  10. ^ "UEFA EURO 2012". UEFA.com. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  11. ^ Spain among top draw seeds
  12. ^ National Team Coefficients Overview
  13. ^ Euro2012 Group D Qualifying Fixtures Template:Ro icon
  14. ^ FSHF. "The Team" (in Albanian). Albanian Federation of Football. Retrieved 16 August 2010. [dead link‍]
  15. ^ Sauku, Endrit (21 January 2010). "History of the Qemal Stafa Temple". Albania Sport (in Albanian). Dash Frasheri. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
  16. ^ Worldstadiums. "Stadia in Albania". Retrieved 3 August 2010.
  17. ^ Frasheri, Dash (11 August 2010). "Albania, modest victory against Uzbekistan" (in Albanian). Albania Sport. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  18. ^ Tifozat Kuq e Zi[dead link‍]
  19. ^ "Lukshinov: Enver Hoxha's passion of soccer (11/10/2009)". Albania-sport.com. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  20. ^ "Albania - Record International Players". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  21. ^ "Albania - Record International Players - Goals". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  22. ^ Malta 2000 Events [dead link‍]
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