Albania national under-21 football team

Albania U21

Nickname(s)

Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
Shpresat e Shqipërisë (Albanian Expectations/Hopes)

Association

Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)

Confederation

UEFA (Europe)

Head coach

Vacant

Captain

Thomas Strakosha

Most caps

Amarildo Belisha (16)

Top scorer

Armando Sadiku (6)

Home stadium

Elbasan Arena
Loro Boriçi Stadium

FIFA code

ALB

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

Appearances

1 (first in 1984)

Best result

Quarter-finals, 1984

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.

History

Albania U-21 participated in the Balkan Youth Championships, which started in 1969 and ended in 1981 in 10 overall competitions, and won the two last, the 1978 and the 1981 ones 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

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Spain	8	7	1	0	24	6	+18	22	Play-offs
2	Austria	8	5	1	2	15	12	+3	16
3	Hungary	8	3	0	5	12	13	−1	9
4	Bosnia and Herzegovina	8	2	0	6	10	22	−12	6
5	Albania	8	2	0	6	7	15	−8	6

Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

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

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Portugal	10	8	2	0	34	5	+29	26	Final tournament	—	0–0	1–0	4–0	2–0	4–0
2	Israel	10	6	3	1	21	4	+17	21		0–3	—	4–0	4–0	3–0	4–0
3	Greece	10	4	1	5	13	14	−1	13		0–4	0–1	—	2–1	3–1	5–0
4	Albania	10	3	3	4	11	20	−9	12		1–6	1–1	0–0	—	2–1	2–0
5	Hungary	10	3	3	4	19	16	+3	12		3–3	0–0	2–1	2–2	—	4–0
6	Liechtenstein	10	0	0	10	1	40	−39	0		1–7	0–4	0–2	0–2	0–6	—

Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers

Players

Current Squad

The following players have been called up to for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Israel U21 on 10 October 2016.^[4]

Caps and goals as of 10 October 2016

0#0	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Thomas Strakosha (Captain)	(1995-03-19) 19 March 1995	11	0	Lazio
1	1GK	Aldo Teqja	(1995-05-04) 4 May 1995	5	0	Skënderbeu Korçë
12	1GK	Klevis Hasanbelli	(1997-06-30) 30 June 1997	0	0	Kukësi

4	2DF	Bruno Lulaj	(1995-04-02) 2 April 1995	9	0	Laçi
3	2DF	Erion Hoxhallari	(1995-10-15) 15 October 1995	8	0	Tirana
2	2DF	Erdenis Gurishta	(1995-04-24) 24 April 1995	2	0	Vllaznia Shkodër
5	2DF	Kostandin Kariqi	(1996-01-01) 1 January 1996	2	0	Trikala
14	3MF	Enea Mihaj	(1998-07-05) 5 July 1998	1	0	Panetolikos
17	2DF	Ardit Toli	(1997-07-12) 12 July 1997	0	0	Olympiacos
	2DF	David Domgjoni	(1997-05-21) 21 May 1997	0	0	Tirana
	2DF	Shaqir Tafa	(1998-11-14) 14 November 1998	0	0	Palermo

8	3MF	Qazim Laçi	(1996-01-19) 19 January 1996	9	1	APOEL
10	3MF	Keidi Bare	(1997-08-28) 28 August 1997	6	0	Atlético Madrid
7	3MF	Myrto Uzuni	(1995-05-31) 31 May 1995	3	0	Apolonia Fier
20	3MF	Jurgen Bardhi	(1997-11-06) 6 November 1997	3	0	Partizani Tirana
9	3MF	Realdo Fili	(1996-05-14) 14 May 1996	2	0	Partizani Tirana
6	3MF	Ylber Ramadani	(1996-04-12) 12 April 1996	1	0	Partizani Tirana
11	3MF	Uendi Vecaj	(1997-02-18) 18 February 1997	1	0	Vllaznia Shkodër
15	3MF	Emir Sahiti	(1998-11-29) 29 November 1998	0	0	Rabotnički
	3MF	Ardit Krymi	(1996-05-02) 2 May 1996	0	0	Vllaznia Shkodër

16	4FW	Fiorin Durmishaj	(1996-11-14) 14 November 1996	3	0	Panionios
18	4FW	Ardit Hoxhaj	(1994-07-20) 20 July 1994	1	0	Skënderbeu Korçë
	4FW	Rubin Hebaj	(1998-07-30) 30 July 1998	0	0	Vllaznia Shkodër

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	Elhan Kastrati	(1997-02-02) 2 February 1997	0	0	Piacenza	v. Czech Republic, 23 May 2016
GK	Alen Sherri	(1997-12-15) 15 December 1997	0	0	Vllaznia Shkodër	v. Hungary, 28 March 2016
GK	Gentian Selmani	(1998-03-09) 9 March 1998	0	0	Laçi	v. Portugal, 8 September 2015

DF	Herdi Prenga	(1994-08-31) 31 August 1994	8	1	Lokomotiva Zagreb	v. Greece, 2 September 2016
DF	Mërgim Vojvoda ^MOV	(1995-02-01) 1 February 1995	7	0	Mouscron	v. Greece, 2 September 2016
DF	Silvester Shkalla	(1995-08-10) 10 August 1995	1	0	Teuta Durrës	v. Greece, 2 September 2016
DF	Esin Hakaj	(1996-12-06) 6 December 1996	0	0	Partizani Tirana	v. Czech Republic, 23 May 2016
DF	Amir Rrahmani ^MOV	(1994-02-24) 24 February 1994	8	0	Lokomotiva Zagreb	v. Hungary, 28 March 2016
DF	Muhamet Cakolli	(1997-04-08) 8 April 1997	0	0	SV Werder Bremen	v. Ukraine, 30 January 2016
DF	Kristi Qose	(1995-06-10) 10 June 1995	4	0	Michalovce	v. Liechtenstein, 16 November 2015

MF	Liridon Latifi	(1994-02-06) 6 February 1994	9	4	Skënderbeu Korçë	v. Greece, 2 September 2016
MF	Endri Çekiçi	(1996-11-23) 23 November 1996	8	1	Lokomotiva Zagreb	v. Greece, 2 September 2016
MF	Damian Gjini	(1995-04-06) 6 April 1995	1	0	Kallithea	v. Greece, 2 September 2016
MF	Eros Grezda	(1995-04-15) 15 April 1995	1	0	Lokomotiva Zagreb	v. Greece, 2 September 2016
MF	Jasir Asani	(1995-05-19) 19 May 1995	0	0	Vardar	v. Greece, 2 September 2016
MF	Federico Zenuni	(1997-01-19) 19 January 1997	0	0	Tuttocuoio	v. Italy, 10 August 2016
MF	Emiliano Hysi	(1996-06-16) 16 June 1996	0	0	Backenham Town	v. Czech Republic, 23 May 2016
MF	Enis Gavazaj	(1995-03-21) 21 March 1995	11	1	Skënderbeu Korçë	v. Hungary, 28 March 2016
MF	Milot Rashica ^MOV	(1996-06-28) 28 June 1996	6	1	Vitesse Arnhem	v. Hungary, 28 March 2016
MF	Ron Broja	(1996-04-09) 9 April 1996	4	0	Gent	v. Hungary, 28 March 2016
MF	Maldin Ymeraj	(1995-03-06) 6 March 1995	1	0	Akropolis	v. Ukraine, 30 January 2016
MF	Fjoart Jonuzi	(1996-07-09) 9 July 1996	0	0	Kukësi	v. Ukraine, 30 January 2016
MF	Berat Beqiri	(1996-06-03) 3 June 1996	0	0	Næstved	v. Ukraine, 30 January 2016
MF	Engjell Hoti	(1997-02-26) 26 February 1997	0	0	Eintracht Braunschweig	v. Ukraine, 30 January 2016
MF	Xhuljo Tabaku	(1995-06-03) 3 June 1995	0	0	TuS Erndtebrück	v. Ukraine, 30 January 2016

FW	Rey Manaj	(1997-02-24) 24 February 1997	6	3	Pescara	v. Greece, 2 September 2016
FW	Fabian Mirdita	(1997-05-21) 21 May 1997	0	0	Monaco	v. Greece, 2 September 2016
FW	Andi Qerfozi	(1995-12-09) 9 December 1995	0	0	Kreuzlingen	v. Italy, 10 August 2016
FW	Isnik Alimi	(1994-02-02) 2 February 1994	1	0	Forlì	v. Czech Republic, 23 May 2016

^MOV = Withdrew to play for Kosovo.

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff:^[5]

Position	Name
Head Coach	Vacant
Assistant Coach	Vasillaq Zëri
Goalkeeping Coach	Ardit Bozo
Physiotherapists	Ilvi Begolli
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
Total: 1/20	Best: Quarter-finals	2	0	0	2	0	2	Total	129	25	29	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

References

External links

Albania national football team

General	Albanian Football Association History Coaches Captains

Venues	Home venues Elbasan Arena Qemal Stafa Stadium Loro Boriçi Stadium

Statistics	All-time record Records Head to head European Championship record

Results	2010–present Albania v Yugoslavia (1946) Serbia v Albania (2014)

Players	All-time players World Cup and European Championship squads Other categories

European Championships	Summary 2016

Other tournaments	Balkan Cup 1946 1947 1948 Malta (Rothmans) International Tournament 1998 2000

Other FSHF teams	U23 team U21 team U20 team U19 team U18 team U17 team U16 team U15 team Women Women Under-19

Football in Albania

Albanian Football Association

National teams

men:	Albania U23 U21 U20 U19 U18 U17 U16 U15

women:	Albania U19

League system

men:	Albanian Superliga First Division Second Division Third Division

women:	National Championship

Domestic cups

men:	Albanian Cup Albanian Supercup Independence Cup (pre-season) SuperSport Trophy (pre-season)

women:	Women's Cup

Awards

Lists

Men's clubs
Women's clubs
Male players
Female players
Expatriate footballers
Managers
Referees
Venues
Records

National under-21 football teams of Europe (UEFA)

Active	Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Georgia Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kosovo Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland Romania Russia San Marino Scotland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine Wales

Defunct	Czechoslovakia East Germany USSR Yugoslavia

UEFA European U-21 and U-23 Championship

Under-23 Championship

Without host	1970–1972 1972–1974 1974–1976

Under-21 Championship

Without host	1976–1978 1978–1980 1980–1982 1982–1984 1984–1986 1986–1988 1988–1990 1990–1992

With host	France 1994 Spain 1996 Romania 1998 Slovakia 2000 Switzerland 2002 Germany 2004 Portugal 2006 Netherlands 2007 Sweden 2009 Denmark 2011 Israel 2013 Czech Republic 2015 Poland 2017 TBA 2019

Qualification	1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017

Finals	1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015

Squads	1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015

National sports teams of Albania

Basketball M M U-20 W Football M W Youth M U-23 M U-21 M U-20 M U-19 M U-18 M U-17 M U-16 M U-15 W U-19 Futsal Tennis Volleyball M F Handball

Olympics Paralympics European Games European Games

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