Football in Albania

<h2 id="history-of-football-in-albania">History of football in Albania</h2>
<a href="/facts/Association_football/yttjeD0D">Football</a> arrived in Albania at the beginning of the 20th century. The first recorded match was between students at a Christian mission in <a href="/facts/Shkod%25C3%25ABr/Qufrkj6s">Shkodër</a>. The game increased in popularity and by 1919 the first club, <a href="/facts/KS_Vllaznia_Shkod%25C3%25ABr/HCaUsBxr">KS Vllaznia Shkodër</a>, had been founded. In 1920 <a href="/facts/SK_Tirana/Uhh90k9I">SK Tirana</a> was founded. Other towns and cities followed suit and on 6 June 1930 the <a href="/facts/Football_Association_of_Albania/xzB298N0">Football Association of Albania</a> (FSHF) was established. The association became a member of football's governing body <a href="/facts/FIFA/wC2aqLnn">FIFA</a> in 1932, and joined the European governing body <a href="/facts/UEFA/UafFnEBe">UEFA</a> in 1954 as a founding member.
A domestic championship began in 1930 with 6 teams. <a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">KF Tirana</a> were the inaugural winners. They, together with such sides are <a href="/facts/KS_Dinamo_Tirana/0FlLhBPQ">KS Dinamo Tirana</a>, <a href="/facts/Vllaznia_Shkod%25C3%25ABr/HCaUsBxr">Vllaznia Shkodër</a> and <a href="/facts/FK_Partizani/o5Y9uASw">FK Partizani</a>, have continued to dominate the Albanian scene until the present day. The years following <a href="/facts/World_War_II/2efV5L1U">World War II</a> saw a new political order, with the introduction of a communist system which had a positive impact as far as the game's appeal was concerned. Football was used as popular entertainment. Its infrastructure grew stronger as the game was organized and developed in state enterprises, schools, villages and towns. New institutional clubs were founded such as <a href="/facts/Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">Partizani Tirana</a> (1946) and <a href="/facts/Dinamo_Tirana/0FlLhBPQ">Dinamo Tirana</a> (1950) (governed respectively by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Internal Affairs).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a> Until 1990 they were privileged in relation to the other clubs as they were able to get players from other teams.
From 1991, there were crucial political and economic changes that had a tremendous effect on the nation, as the centralized economy and political system came to an end. The result for the country's footballers was an opportunity to play their trade on foreign fields. Neighbouring Greece and the Balkan states were popular destinations for players who were good enough to go abroad.

<h2 id="league-and-cup-system">League and Cup system</h2>
The Albanian league is split into 4 divisions. The <a href="/facts/Albanian_Superliga/k0xy48NA">Albanian Superliga</a> (<a href="/facts/Albanian_language/6CyC8GPJ">Albanian</a>: Kategoria Superiore) was formed in 1930. In 1998 it took its current name and is the highest level of Albanian Football. It currently comprises 10 teams. The Superliga displaced the <a href="/facts/Albanian_First_Division/a02CIL1o">First Division</a> (<a href="/facts/Albanian_language/6CyC8GPJ">Albanian</a>: Kategoria e Parë) as the top division, and this is now Albanian Football's second tier. Below this is <a href="/facts/Albanian_Second_Division/AMAdU3yW">Second Division</a> (<a href="/facts/Albanian_language/6CyC8GPJ">Albanian</a>: Kategoria e Dytë), which is divided geographically into A & B.
The winners of the league are entitled to compete in the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Champions_League/h1ao7NDp">UEFA Champions League</a> at the First qualifying round stage. The runners-up are entitled to compete in the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Europa_Conference_League/9fvpAqu6">UEFA Conference League</a>, also at the First qualifying round stage. <a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">KF Tirana</a> hold the record for Albanian league titles, with 26.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Level</td><td>League(s)/Division(s)</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td><a href="/facts/Kategoria_Superiore/k0xy48NA">Kategoria Superiore</a>10 clubs</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>↓↑ 2-3 clubs</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Kategoria_e_Par%25C3%25AB/a02CIL1o">Kategoria e Parë</a>12 clubs</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>↓↑ 2-4 clubs</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td><a href="/facts/Kategoria_e_Dyt%25C3%25AB/AMAdU3yW">Kategoria e Dytë</a>23 clubs</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>↓ 2-3 clubs ↑ 2-3 clubs</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td><a href="/facts/Kategoria_e_Tret%25C3%25AB/hoy22baT">Kategoria e Tretë</a>15 clubs</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Cup competitions</h3>
The <a href="/facts/Kupa_e_shqip%25C3%25ABris%25C3%25AB/GsgyeyrQ">Albanian Football Cup</a> (<a href="/facts/Albanian_language/6CyC8GPJ">Albanian</a>: Kupa e Shqipërisë), which is the country's main knockout cup competition, was established in 1939. The winners are entitled to compete in the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Europa_League/aQeea4zp">UEFA Europa League</a>, at the First qualifying round stage. The most successful team in this competition, <a href="/facts/KF_Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">KF Partizani Tirana</a>, has won the cup 15 times.
The <a href="/facts/Albanian_Supercup/wrl5sv6K">Albanian Supercup</a>, which started in 1989, is a single match played at the beginning of the season between the winners of the Superliga and the Albanian Cup. The most successful team in this competition, <a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">KF Tirana</a>, has won 9 times.

<h3>Amateur football</h3>
The highest levels of amateur football are the <a href="/facts/Sunday_League_Tiran%25C3%25AB/xuRmeWQH">Sunday League Tiranë</a> or <a href="/facts/Sunday_League_Kor%25C3%25A7%25C3%25AB/GAdb1LCg">Sunday League Korçë</a>, reached through the Kupa Amatore.
Kategoria Amatore I is thesecond highest division of amateur football in Albania and hence the sixth highest league. In the 2017-18 season, 10 teams are participating, among which some of them are reserve teams. The team in last place drops to Kategoria Amatore II.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a> In 2017-2018 the teams in Kategoria Amatore I were:

<table><tbody><tr><th>Team</th><th>Location</th></tr><tr><td>Akademia Arena</td><td><a href="/facts/Tirana/7WeM7vDs">Tirana</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/KS_Butrinti_Sarande/HaVlFrGj">Butrinti B</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Sarand%25C3%25AB/eJGgPFDx">Sarandë</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/KFF_Dajti/aofNXTMT">Dajti</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Tirana/7WeM7vDs">Tirana</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/FC_Dinamo_City/0FlLhBPQ">Dinamo City B</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Tirana/7WeM7vDs">Tirana</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/AS_Luft%25C3%25ABtari/dKBtozCN">Luftëtari B</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Gjirokast%25C3%25ABr/y4sVKCml">Gjirokastër</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/FK_Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">Partizani C</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Tirana/7WeM7vDs">Tirana</a></td></tr><tr><td>Pasioni</td><td><a href="/facts/Tirana/7WeM7vDs">Tirana</a></td></tr><tr><td>Shqiponja</td><td><a href="/facts/Velipoj%25C3%25AB/yanXjoA2">Velipojë</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">Tirana C</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Tirana/7WeM7vDs">Tirana</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/KF_Vlora/BJVCFHAw">Vlora</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Vlor%25C3%25AB/DbIekgoa">Vlorë</a></td></tr></tbody></table>
<h2 id="albanian-football-clubs-in-european-competitions">Albanian football clubs in European competitions</h2>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Albanian_football_clubs_in_European_competitions/9HPaayNj">Albanian football clubs in European competitions</a>
Albanian football clubs have a long history in European football. The most successful clubs in the past were <a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">KF Tirana</a> and <a href="/facts/Flamurtari_FC/qFtHwTws">Flamurtari FC</a> as well as <a href="/facts/FK_Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">FK Partizani Tirana</a>. In recent history <a href="/facts/KF_Sk%25C3%25ABnderbeu_Kor%25C3%25A7%25C3%25AB/K3yg4RVz">KF Skënderbeu Korçë</a> were quite successful in the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Europa_League/aQeea4zp">UEFA Europa League</a>.

<h3>European Cup / UEFA Champions League</h3>
The first Albanian club to enter the European Cup was <a href="/facts/FK_Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">FK Partizani Tirana</a> in <a href="/facts/1962%25E2%2580%259363_European_Cup/oT8DQJmG">1962-63</a> playing in the first round against <a href="/facts/IFK_Norrk%25C3%25B6ping/XN1xDAQj">Norrköping</a> losing out after two legs despite drawing at home with 1–1 in the second leg.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a> The following year, Partizani won their first-ever match in the European Cup <a href="/facts/1963%25E2%2580%259364_European_Cup/9c5wxWmH">1963-64</a> in the first leg against <a href="/facts/PFC_Spartak_Plovdiv/xloC9kD1">Plovdiv</a> through a goal from <a href="/facts/Kolec_Kraja/KExVEAhK">Kolec Kraja</a>. In the second leg away from home, Partizani nearly qualified for the second round but lost 1-3 despite a goal from <a href="/facts/Panajot_Pano/X8xsF0QT">Panajot Pano</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a> One year later in <a href="/facts/1964%25E2%2580%259365_European_Cup/hTfgQW7n">1964–65</a> Partizani Tirana faced <a href="/facts/1._FC_K%25C3%25B6ln/L6YtAyW0">1. FC Köln</a> from Germany in the preliminary round. The Albanians surprised the Germans and held a 0–0 draw at home.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a> In the second leg in <a href="/facts/Cologne/U2qmyGga">Cologne</a> Partizani Tirana lost the match 0–2.
<a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">KF Tirana</a> first entered the European Football scene in <a href="/facts/1969%25E2%2580%259370_European_Cup/6Ds2RPwW">1969-70</a>. After losing the first leg against Belgian team <a href="/facts/Standard_Li%25C3%25A8ge/K44bjLpM">Standard Liège</a> 0–3 away from home, they drew at home 1–1 thanks to a late goal from <a href="/facts/Josif_Kazanxhi/xtpY3Qoh">Josif Kazanxhi</a>.

In the following year, KF Tirana faced <a href="/facts/Eredivisie/doEwpeU3">Eredivisie</a> team <a href="/facts/AFC_Ajax/e3hAEP77">AFC Ajax</a> in the <a href="/facts/1970%25E2%2580%259371_European_Cup/NGFvHu20">1970–71 European Cup</a> in the first round. Tirana drew Ajax 2–2 after losing 0–2 at home. The Albanians equalized the game thanks to goals from <a href="/facts/Josif_Kazanxhi/xtpY3Qoh">Josif Kazanxhi</a> and Ceco.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a> Tirana faced Ajax in the second leg at the <a href="/facts/Olympic_Stadium_(Amsterdam)/IaNT7Bo8">Olympisch Stadion</a> in <a href="/facts/Amsterdam/Xdd393bz">Amsterdam</a>. <a href="/facts/AFC_Ajax/e3hAEP77">Ajax</a> won the game 2–0 and went on to win the Cup.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a>
<a href="/facts/KF_Vllaznia_Shkod%25C3%25ABr/HCaUsBxr">KF Vllaznia Shkodër</a> debuted at the <a href="/facts/1978%25E2%2580%259379_European_Cup/1f8nCfe1">European Cup 1978-79</a> facing FK <a href="/facts/FK_Austria_Wien/FxRS3RlG">Austria Wien</a> in the first round. Vllaznia beat Austria in the first leg 2–0 with goals from <a href="/facts/Medin_Zhega/YbnFt5hk">Medin Zhega</a> and <a href="/facts/Shyqyri_Ballgjini/9nlS7xbz">Shyqyri Ballgjini</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a> In the following match, Vllaznia had good chances to qualify as the first Albanian football club in the round of 16. The hopes were dashed for Vllaznia as they lost with 4–1 away in <a href="/facts/Wien/NSpIURsA">Wien</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a>
Partizani Tirana qualified for the Cup for the fourth time in <a href="/facts/1979%25E2%2580%259380_European_Cup/Q4sa1wYC">1979–80</a> and beat <a href="/facts/Celtic_F.C./nfbUUWtj">Celtic</a> 1–0 in the first match with a header from <a href="/facts/Agim_Murati/LN1pFly1">Agim Murati</a> in the 35th minute.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a> Celtic turned things around and beat Partizani 4–1 despite an own goal in the <a href="/facts/Celtic_Park/3P5jfe9B">Celtic Park</a> in <a href="/facts/Glasgow/hHUX44Ra">Glasgow</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a>
Two years later in the <a href="/facts/1981%25E2%2580%259382_European_Cup/Ar0lSxUR">1981–82 European Cup</a>, Partizani Tirana faced Austria Wien in the first round. Partizani lost the first leg away match 1–3.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a> The Albanians played the second leg at home in the <a href="/facts/Qemal_Stafa_Stadium/mMCzo65j">Qemal Stafa Stadium</a> and won 1–0. <a href="/facts/Haxhi_Ballgjini/mmQxo13Y">Haxhi Ballgjini</a> scored the goal for Partizani in the 31st minute. Partizani needed to score two goals to qualify into the second round, and they were eliminated from the competition despite the victory.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a>

<h3>The historical 1980's in the European cup for the Albanian Football clubs</h3>
The following year at the <a href="/facts/1982%25E2%2580%259383_European_Cup/zUL67fy0">1982–83 European Cup</a> KF Tirana faced <a href="/facts/Linfield_F.C./gp688wwl">Linfield F.C.</a> in the first round. The teams played the first leg in <a href="/facts/Qemal_Stafa_Stadium/mMCzo65j">Tirana</a>. Tirana won the match 1–0 with a goal from <a href="/facts/Agustin_Kola/IHAR6p7A">Agustin Kola</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a> In the second leg match, Tirana faced Linfied at <a href="/facts/Windsor_Park/sLCek6xN">Windsor Park</a> in <a href="/facts/Belfast/GIhSKnIv">Belfast</a>. <a href="/facts/Arben_Minga/nedrSEQo">Arben Minga</a> scored in the 28th minute, but Linfied scored two quick goals in the final minutes of the match. Despite the 2–1 away loss, KF Tirana qualified as the first Albanian football club in history for the round of 16 in the <a href="/facts/European_Cup/h1ao7NDp">European Cup</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a> The team would have played against <a href="/facts/FC_Dynamo_Kyiv/SI44J0yP">Dynamo Kyiv</a> in the round of 16, but Tirana did not participate.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a>
After several years without success for Albania, KF Tirana competed for the sixth time in history at the <a href="/facts/1988%25E2%2580%259389_European_Cup/qFub4vFN">European Cup in 1988-89</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a> The team faced the <a href="/facts/%25C4%25A6amrun_Spartans_F.C./pKeMMLUy">Hamrun Spartans</a> from <a href="/facts/Malta/FsqM3M37">Malta</a> in the first round. In the first leg, they played away from home at <a href="/facts/National_Stadium%2c_Ta%2527_Qali/C2qhuX9p">National Stadium</a> in <a href="/facts/Ta%2527_Qali/j4xGwWmh">Ta' Qali</a>. KF Tirana started with a goal from <a href="/facts/Anesti_Stoja/HAaGjEQS">Anesti Stoja</a> in the 5th minute, but Ħamrun scored two goals to win the match 2–1.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a> In the second leg, Tirana defeated the Spartans 2–0 to qualify for the round of 16.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a>
In the first leg of the round of 16, Tirana faced <a href="/facts/IFK_G%25C3%25B6teborg/u6SovUmT">IFK Göteborg</a> at home and lost the match 0–3.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a> Tirana defeated IFK Göteborg 1–0 in the second leg at <a href="/facts/Ullevi/DbzTU3Mq">Ullevi</a> stadium but did not qualify for the quarter-finals.
In the following <a href="/facts/1989%25E2%2580%259390_European_Cup/CxLqlCV6">European Cup in 1989–90</a>, KF Tirana faced Maltese team <a href="/facts/Sliema_Wanderers_F.C./7JLtkh4e">Sliema Wanderers F.C.</a> in the first round. The first leg was played away from home in the <a href="/facts/National_Stadium%2c_Ta%2527_Qali/C2qhuX9p">National Stadium</a>. The Albanians lost 0–1. KF Tirana won the second leg game 5–0 with goals from <a href="/facts/Agustin_Kola/IHAR6p7A">Agustin Kola</a>, Bardhi, <a href="/facts/Sk%25C3%25ABnder_Hodja/pPKyCSyT">Hodja</a>, and <a href="/facts/Florian_Riza/yMKou9jz">Florian Riza</a> to advance to the round of 16 for the third time in the club's history.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a>
In the round of 16, KF Tirana faced <a href="/facts/Bundesliga/MfkHshJn">Bundesliga</a> team <a href="/facts/FC_Bayern_Munich/99e1qqlf">FC Bayern Munich</a> from <a href="/facts/Germany/paluuWBX">Germany</a>. In the first leg at the <a href="/facts/Olympiastadion_(Munich)/Rdo9zSbJ">Olympiastadion</a> in <a href="/facts/Munich/Pr6zw2ev">Munich</a>, KF Tirana lost 3–1.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a> In the second match, Tirana faced <a href="/facts/FC_Bayern_Munich/99e1qqlf">Bayern</a> at <a href="/facts/Qemal_Stafa_Stadium/mMCzo65j">home</a> and lost 0–3.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25">25</a>

<h3>UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League</h3>
Albania did not compete in the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Cup/aQeea4zp">UEFA Cup</a> as much as they did in the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/7rnj3yIk">UEFA Cup Winners' Cup</a> or in the <a href="/facts/European_Cup/h1ao7NDp">European Cup</a>, despite Albania's success in the late '80s. <a href="/facts/Flamurtari_FC/qFtHwTws">Flamutari Vlora</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26">26</a> and, in recent years, <a href="/facts/KF_Sk%25C3%25ABnderbeu_Kor%25C3%25A7%25C3%25AB/K3yg4RVz">KF Skënderbeu Korçë</a> have been the most successful Albanian teams in the UEFA Cup.
<a href="/facts/FK_Dinamo_Tirana/0FlLhBPQ">Dinamo Tirana</a> became the first Albanian football team to debut in the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Cup/aQeea4zp">UEFA Cup</a> during the <a href="/facts/1981%25E2%2580%259382_UEFA_Cup/pp560pNm">1981-82</a> competition. In the first round, they faced <a href="/facts/FC_Carl_Zeiss_Jena/t2yz8lIv">Carl Zeiss Jena</a> from <a href="/facts/East_Germany/PwI902Q6">East Germany</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27">27</a> In the first leg, Dinamo faced the opposition at home at <a href="/facts/Selman_St%25C3%25ABrmasi_Stadium/W1d4jW9e">Selman Stërmasi Stadium</a>, winning 1–0 with a goal from <a href="/facts/Vasillaq_Z%25C3%25ABri/2S8c9puj">Vasillaq Zëri</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28">28</a> Dinamo Tirana had to travel to <a href="/facts/Jena/c1NwhRon">Jena</a> to face Carl Zeiss at <a href="/facts/Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld/zMp4dUcc">Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld</a> in the second leg. The Albanians lost 4–0 and failed to qualify for the second round.
In the <a href="/facts/1985%25E2%2580%259386_UEFA_Cup/PMANngAj">1985–86 UEFA Cup</a> Dinamo Tirana faced the Ħamrun Spartans from Malta. In the first leg, <a href="/facts/Tirana/7WeM7vDs">Dinamo</a> defeated the Spartans 1–0 at home with a goal from <a href="/facts/Eduard_Abazi/hxKDPtPy">Eduard Abazi</a>. Dinamo drew the away game in the second leg 0<a href="/facts/FK_Dinamo_Tirana/0FlLhBPQ">–</a>0 to qualify as the first Albanian football club in the second round. In the second round, Dinamo Tirana faced Portuguese side <a href="/facts/Sporting_CP/vbgkjVcB">Sporting Lisabon</a>. In the first leg, Tirana held a 0–0 draw at home. Away from home at <a href="/facts/Est%25C3%25A1dio_Jos%25C3%25A9_Alvalade/dCKhpXHR">José Alvalade</a> Stadium in 
<a href="/facts/Lisbon/zFTcC99e">Lisbon</a>, Tirana lost 0–1 and was knocked out of the competition.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29">29</a>
<a href="/facts/Flamurtari_FC/qFtHwTws">Flamurtari Vlora</a> debuted at the UEFA Cup 1986–87. They faced <a href="/facts/FC_Barcelona/x2H1EFug">FC Barcelona</a> in the first round.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30">30</a> The teams played the first leg at the <a href="/facts/Flamurtari_Stadium/p1q1NfyY">Flamurtari Stadium</a>. Flamutari put themselves in front with a goal from <a href="/facts/Vasil_Ruci/AGFAh9NW">Vasil Ruci</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31">31</a> in the 68 minute. Barcelona equalized in the 88th minute to secure a 1–1 draw in <a href="/facts/Vlora/DbIekgoa">Vlora</a>. In the second leg, Flamutari traveled to <a href="/facts/Spain/bIyrB8EY">Spain</a> to face <a href="/facts/FC_Barcelona/x2H1EFug">Barcelona</a> at <a href="/facts/Camp_Nou/n7ako1mR">Camp Nou</a>. The game ended in a 0–0 draw. Barcelona advanced and knocked Flamutari out of the competition due to the away rule.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32">32</a>
Flamutari qualified for a second consecutive <a href="/facts/UEFA_Cup/aQeea4zp">UEFA Cup</a> in <a href="/facts/1987%25E2%2580%259388_UEFA_Cup/3twLAD6e">1987–88</a>. Flamutari faced in the first round Yugoslavian side <a href="/facts/JSD_Partizan/fx1j37yV">Partizan Belgrad</a>. Flamutari won the first leg match at home 2–0 through an own goal and a goal from <a href="/facts/Roland_Iljadhi/Hdko2rjY">Roland Iljadhi</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33">33</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34">34</a> The teams played the second leg at <a href="/facts/Partizan_Stadium/zPw7kejd">Partizan Stadium</a> in Belgrade. The situation was tense between the Albanians and Serbians, due to the political unrest in <a href="/facts/Kosovo/lbyzI6UW">Kosovo</a>. Partizan led the match 2–0 until Sokol Kushta scored to clinch a 2–1 result and advance Flamutari to the second round for the first time in the history for Albania in the UEFA Cup.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:35" href="#fn:35">35</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:36" href="#fn:36">36</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:37" href="#fn:37">37</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:38" href="#fn:38">38</a>
Flamutari Vlora faced East German side <a href="/facts/FC_Erzgebirge_Aue/Pf8QdTCh">Wismut Aue</a> in the second round. Flamutari lost the first leg match at the <a href="/facts/Erzgebirgsstadion/Iyd7BkW8">Otto-Grotewohl-Stadion</a> in <a href="/facts/Aue%2c_Saxony/Vu6hTI0f">Aue</a> 1–0. They won the second leg match at home 2–0 with goals from <a href="/facts/Rrapo_Taho/thnxJ9UQ">Rrapo Taho</a> and 
<a href="/facts/Vasil_Ruci/AGFAh9NW">Vasil Ruci</a> to become the first Albanian team to qualify for the round of 16 in the UEFA Cup. They also became the first Albanian side to beat two clubs in a UEFA competition after two rounds were played.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:39" href="#fn:39">39</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:40" href="#fn:40">40</a>
Flamutari faced <a href="/facts/FC_Barcelona/x2H1EFug">FC Barcelona</a> for the second time in their history in the third round at the <a href="/facts/Camp_Nou/n7ako1mR">Camp Nou</a>. Flamutari was down 1–0 at halftime, but three quick goals in the second half put Barca up 4–0. <a href="/facts/Vasil_Ruci/AGFAh9NW">Vasil Ruci</a> scored a penalty kick to bring the final score to 4–1. In the following leg, Flamutari defeated Barca 1–0 in the fully crowded <a href="/facts/Flamurtari_Stadium/p1q1NfyY">Flamurtari Stadium</a> in <a href="/facts/Vlora/DbIekgoa">Vlora</a> with a goal from <a href="/facts/Sokol_Kushta/DxYanDha">Sokol Kushta</a>. Despite the win, Flamutari did not qualify for the quarterfinals.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:41" href="#fn:41">41</a> As of May 2022, Flamutari's 1987–88 UEFA Cup performance was the most successful result for Albania in a UEFA competition.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:42" href="#fn:42">42</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:43" href="#fn:43">43</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:44" href="#fn:44">44</a>

<h3>UEFA Cup Winners' Cup</h3>
Several Albanian football clubs, including <a href="/facts/KF_Besa_Kavaj%25C3%25AB/Tf04j0rH">KF Besa Kavajë</a>, <a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">KF Tirana</a>, and <a href="/facts/KF_Vllaznia_Shkod%25C3%25ABr/HCaUsBxr">KF Vllaznia Shkodër</a> have participated in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
Albania's debut at the competition came in <a href="/facts/1968%25E2%2580%259369_European_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/hrj8FcSK">1968-69</a> when <a href="/facts/FK_Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">FK Partizani Tirana</a> faced Italian side <a href="/facts/Torino_F.C./nRqWjkRh">Torino F.C.</a> In the first leg, Partizani Tirana defeated Torino at home.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:45" href="#fn:45">45</a> In the second leg, the Albanians lost 3–1 away and failed to advance to the quarterfinals. Torino advanced directly to the quarterfinals after the match.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:46" href="#fn:46">46</a>
In the <a href="/facts/1970%25E2%2580%259371_European_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/Yxs0f2of">1970–71 European Cup Winners' Cup</a>, <a href="/facts/FK_Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">Partizani Tirana</a> faced Swedish team <a href="/facts/%25C3%2585tvidabergs_FF/FnswB3dt">Åtvidabergs FF</a> in the preliminary round in the <a href="/facts/Kopparvallen/XbeWLkzN">Kopparvallen</a>. Partizani drew the away match 1–1. In the following leg <a href="/facts/Qemal_Stafa_Stadium/mMCzo65j">at home</a>, the Albanians won 2–0 with goals from <a href="/facts/Panajot_Pano/X8xsF0QT">Panajot Pano</a> and <a href="/facts/Ramazan_Rragami/WNuU6k7e">Ramazan Rragami</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:47" href="#fn:47">47</a> The round was the first time Partizani advanced in a UEFA competition after drawing in the first leg.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:48" href="#fn:48">48</a>
At the following <a href="/facts/1971%25E2%2580%259372_European_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/vFBY3uJ4">1971–72 European Cup Winners' Cup</a>, Dinamo Tirana debuted against Austrian side <a href="/facts/FK_Austria_Wien/FxRS3RlG">Austria Wien</a>. Dinamo held a 1–1 draw at home with a penalty goal from <a href="/facts/Iljaz_%25C3%2587e%25C3%25A7o/bDf7eFSA">Iljaz Çeço</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:49" href="#fn:49">49</a> At the following game at the <a href="/facts/Ernst-Happel-Stadion/dAUgsv6p">Praterstadion</a> in <a href="/facts/Vienna/NSpIURsA">Vienna</a>, the Albanians lost 1–0 and failed to advance to the round of sixteen.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:50" href="#fn:50">50</a>
In the following <a href="/facts/1972%25E2%2580%259373_European_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/g8B8VpGs">1972-73</a> UEFA Cup Winners' season, <a href="/facts/KF_Besa_Kavaj%25C3%25AB/Tf04j0rH">KF Besa Kavajë</a> debuted in the first round against <a href="/facts/Fremad_Amager/t35gfYMz">Fremad Amager</a> from <a href="/facts/Denmark/KVtykzsw">Denmark</a>. The Albanians drew away from home 1–1 and secured a 0–0 draw at home to become the first Albanian club to advance to the round of sixteen at the competition.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:51" href="#fn:51">51</a>
The Albanians faced Scottish side <a href="/facts/Hibernian_F.C./pWvVLm3m">Hibernian</a> in the round of sixteen. In the first leg away, Besa lost 7–1 despite a goal from M.Kariqi. In the following leg at the <a href="/facts/Besa_Stadium/lf1BoHRy">Besa Stadium</a>, the Albanians failed to make up the six goal deficit and were knocked out of the competition, drawing 1–1 with a goal from K.Pagria.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:52" href="#fn:52">52</a>
After some years in which Albania couldn't take place at this competition, they would return several years later in <a href="/facts/1980%25E2%2580%259381_European_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/lFP2VnXr">1980-81</a> in which <a href="/facts/FK_Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">FK Partizani Tirana</a>, faced <a href="/facts/Malm%25C3%25B6_FF/P1srxreI">Malmö</a> from Sweden. In the first round. Despite a close match they would lose the first leg with 1–0 away. Notably they drew their home leg with 0–0, still not enough to qualify further.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:53" href="#fn:53">53</a>
Two years later in the <a href="/facts/1982%25E2%2580%259383_European_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/4999oVp8">1982-83</a> edition Dinamo Tirana faced in the first round <a href="/facts/Aberdeen_F.C./MRcgx4eE">Aberdeen F.C.</a> from Scotland. In the first leg they would lose close with 1–0 despite playing a good match. At the second leg they couldn't overcome a 0–0 in Tirana and so left the competition once again in the first round.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:54" href="#fn:54">54</a> Notable fact Aberdeen would than go on and eventually win the competition that particular year, after winning against <a href="/facts/Real_Madrid/1xVKbM0V">Real Madrid</a> in the finals.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:55" href="#fn:55">55</a>
In the <a href="/facts/1983%25E2%2580%259384_European_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/AkkMayxX">1983-84</a> edition <a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">17 Nëntori Tirana</a> would make their debut, at this competition. Their first tie was against Swedish side <a href="/facts/Hammarby_Fotboll/5REWdSbr">Hammarby</a>. Away from home they couldn't compete against the opponent, as they faced a staggering defeat in the <a href="/facts/S%25C3%25B6derstadion/lcoBKRcu">Söderstadion</a> with 4–0 in the end. 
Despite losing the first match, in the second leg they, improved on their performance. Winning at home with 2–1 thanks to goals from <a href="/facts/Arben_Vila/dhcnmQVu">Arben Vila</a> and <a href="/facts/Sulejman_Mema/jtErf1Db">Sulejman Mema</a>. Securing Albania their first win after more than 10 years, in this competition.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:56" href="#fn:56">56</a>

<h2 id="the-history-of-the-albania-national-football-team">The history of the Albania national football team</h2>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Albania_national_football_team/1xsFcE7M">Albania national football team</a>
<h3>Pre war history of Albania</h3>
Founded on 6 June 1930, Albania had to wait 16 years to play its first international match, which was against <a href="/facts/Yugoslavia/rK14hYmb">Yugoslavia</a> in 1946. In 1932, Albania had already joined <a href="/facts/FIFA/wC2aqLnn">FIFA</a> (during the congress 12–16 June) and in 1954 it was one of the founding members of <a href="/facts/UEFA/UafFnEBe">UEFA</a>. Albania was invited to play in the 1938 <a href="/facts/FIFA_World_Cup/pGI0SF7r">World Cup</a>, but did not take part due to logistical problems.

<h3>Champion of the Balkans in 1946</h3>

Main article: <a href="/facts/1946_Balkan_Cup/mUNqJIrR">1946 Balkan Cup</a>
The early years oversaw a notably successful <a href="/facts/Balkan_Cup/EjhHp2rp">Balkan Cup</a> in the <a href="/facts/1946_Balkan_Cup/mUNqJIrR">1946</a> campaign. Albania won the cup after overcoming <a href="/facts/Yugoslavia_national_football_team/BB1S6aU4">Yugoslavia</a> on level points but a better <a href="/facts/Goal_difference/sTtHSBdt">goal difference</a>. The final match ended in a 1–0 win against Romania. Four days earlier, Albania had already beaten Bulgaria 3–1. Albania wasn't expected to participate, but the withdrawal of <a href="/facts/Greek_national_football_team/ohYs6QIn">Greece</a> from the tournament offered Albania a chance to join in the re-established <a href="/facts/World_War_II/2efV5L1U">post-war</a> cup.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:57" href="#fn:57">57</a>

<h3>Between the best 16 Teams in Europe at the UEFA Euro 1964</h3>
Albania qualified for the first time in their history at the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_1964/hRkyTqQC">UEFA Euro 1964</a> in Spain, for its first-ever major men's national football Tournament. Albania faced Greece in the <a href="/facts/1964_European_Nations%2527_Cup_qualifying_preliminary_round/deKTJWX3">first round</a>. They wouldn't participate as Greece withdrew and Albania being given a walkover and advancing so to the Round of 16 in this Tournament.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:58" href="#fn:58">58</a> In the <a href="/facts/1964_European_Nations%2527_Cup_round_of_16/IbDl6Gyv">Round of 16</a> the Albanians would face <a href="/facts/Denmark_national_football_team/cUdDd4Qf">Denmark</a>. In the first leg they lost out with 4–0 away from home. Despite their win at the second leg in Tirana, through an early goal from <a href="/facts/Panajot_Pano/X8xsF0QT">Panajot Pano</a>. Albania couldn't progress to the quarterfinals. At the end of this tournament Albania ranked 9th.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:59" href="#fn:59">59</a>
It was the only time Albania was between the best 16 teams of Europe.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:60" href="#fn:60">60</a>

<h3>1964–72 Albania participating in Football at the Summer Olympics qualifying tournaments</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Football_at_the_1972_Summer_Olympics_%25E2%2580%2593_Men%2527s_European_Qualifiers/gr2EfbwN">Football at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's European Qualifiers</a>
Albania would participate for the first time in their history at the <a href="/facts/1964_Summer_Olympics/bKtnaC4h">1964 Summer Olympics</a> in the <a href="/facts/Football_at_the_1964_Summer_Olympics_%25E2%2580%2593_Men%2527s_qualification/05SaXBR2">men's qualification</a> tournament. In which the Albanians faced <a href="/facts/Bulgaria_national_football_team/FYVTmcEf">Bulgaria</a> in the preliminary round. Albania would lose both matches close with 0–1 against the Bulgarians, missing out on the next stage.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:61" href="#fn:61">61</a> Albania then participate for the second and last time in their Football history at the <a href="/facts/1972_Summer_Olympics/oX46q8L9">1972 Summer Olympics</a> held in Munich. In the <a href="/facts/Football_at_the_1972_Summer_Olympics_%25E2%2580%2593_Men%2527s_European_Qualifiers/gr2EfbwN">Men's European Qualifiers</a> they would face <a href="/facts/Romania_national_football_team/aAfWYTll">Romania</a> in the play-off stage. In the first leg they lost with 2–1 away from home despite an equalizer scored by <a href="/facts/Medin_Zhega/YbnFt5hk">Medin Zhega</a> in the 55th Minute of this match. At the second leg Albania faced the Romanians in the <a href="/facts/Qemal_Stafa_Stadium/mMCzo65j">Qemal Stafa Stadium</a> in Tirana. The Albanians started the match well as <a href="/facts/Panajot_Pano/X8xsF0QT">Panajot Pano</a> puts Albania in front in the 29th minute but once again they couldn't held on to the result. As Romania scored further two goals in the end, to beat Albania once more with 1–2 this time around.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:62" href="#fn:62">62</a>

<h3>Albania's historical 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/1986_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%25E2%2580%2593_UEFA_Group_1/ww97yfGM">1986 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1</a>
Albania would face in this qualification <a href="/facts/Belgium_national_football_team/HIEk1qCR">Belgium</a>, <a href="/facts/Poland_national_football_team/hBrcyFUN">Poland</a> and their rivals <a href="/facts/Greece_national_football_team/ohYs6QIn">Greece</a>. In the first match they faced Belgium in <a href="/facts/Brussels/tNzHrQYP">Brussels</a>. The Albanians lost with 3–1 despite the equalizer from <a href="/facts/Bedri_Omuri/WDIh2y0N">Bedri Omuri</a> in the 71st minute. Albania would face away from home against Poland in the <a href="/facts/Stadion_Miejski_(Mielec)/C0DDc1SF">Stadion Stali Mielec</a>. They drew the result through goals from Bedri Omuri and even the leading goal from <a href="/facts/Agustin_Kola/IHAR6p7A">Agustin Kola</a> with 2-1 but at the end Poland scored again. Albania missing out on their first win, in this qualification. After that Albania famously beat Belgium at home with 2–0 in the <a href="/facts/Qemal_Stafa_Stadium/mMCzo65j">Qemal Stafa Stadium</a>. The goals were scored by <a href="/facts/Mirel_Josa/fb6nfJjr">Mirel Josa</a> and <a href="/facts/Arben_Minga/nedrSEQo">Arben Minga</a> securing Albania their first and only win in this qualification.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:63" href="#fn:63">63</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:64" href="#fn:64">64</a> As Albania loss their next two games against Greece away with 2-0 and against Poland at home close with 0–1. Missing out close to qualify for the <a href="/facts/1986_FIFA_World_Cup/2AmKyPkr">1986 FIFA World Cup</a>. In their last match they faced Greece at home in <a href="/facts/Tirana/7WeM7vDs">Tirana</a>. They go in front by a goal from Bedri Omuri but they couldn't hold on as Greece equalized the result in the 54th minute. At the end playing a 1–1 draw.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:65" href="#fn:65">65</a> Despite finishing their campaign with four points in the third place. Albania came close to qualify as they nearly beat every opponent in this group. It was their most successful FIFA World Cup qualification in the history of Albania.

<h3>Albania's turn around in results between 2004 and 2006</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2004_qualifying_Group_10/X3PQmbUU">UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 10</a> and <a href="/facts/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_-_UEFA_Group_2/Gehed2PP">2006 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 2</a>
After a poor start in which Albania would draw at home against <a href="/facts/Switzerland_national_football_team/57Ts2BzC">Switzerland</a> with 1–1 by a goal from <a href="/facts/Edvin_Murati/qvIAh0J6">Edvin Murati</a> but lost in the next match away against Russia with 4–1 despite an earlier equalizer scored by <a href="/facts/Klodian_Duro/3Hx6MybV">Klodian Duro</a> Albania sacked their manager <a href="/facts/Giuseppe_Dossena/fFNPhjKI">Giuseppe Dossena</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:66" href="#fn:66">66</a> and replaced him with German <a href="/facts/Hans-Peter_Briegel/1mmI6Szp">Hans-Peter Briegel</a> for the following match.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:67" href="#fn:67">67</a> against <a href="/facts/Russia_national_football_team/AVQnWQ36">Russia</a> in the <a href="/facts/Loro_Bori%25C3%25A7i_Stadium/vtCDWAbI">Loro Boriçi Stadium</a> in <a href="/facts/Shkod%25C3%25ABr/Qufrkj6s">Shkodër</a>. In which the Albanians won 3-1 through goals from <a href="/facts/Altin_Rraklli/8CCyR7V1">Altin Rraklli</a>, <a href="/facts/Altin_Lala/y5kPYe0N">Altin Lala</a> and <a href="/facts/Igli_Tare/Wte3JrdX">Igli Tare</a> to secure Hans-Peter Briegel in his debut match, as a manager, his maiden win for Albania.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:68" href="#fn:68">68</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:69" href="#fn:69">69</a> He led Albania to an undefeated run at home matches by drawing against Republic of Ireland 0–0 and beating in the last match Georgia 3–1 by goals from <a href="/facts/Besnik_Hasi/2wkoqHVd">Besnik Hasi</a>, <a href="/facts/Igli_Tare/Wte3JrdX">Igli Tare</a> and striker <a href="/facts/Alban_Bushi/ynqGNN12">Alban Bushi</a>. Despite the good results, Albania finished the group in the penultimate spot with eight points. Away, Albania could not score any points, but managed to score 4 goals. Missing close out on the Playoffs stage by six points.
Two months after Greece beat Portugal to win the European Championship, Albania defeated Greece 2–1 at home by two quick goals from <a href="/facts/Edvin_Murati/qvIAh0J6">Edvin Murati</a> and <a href="/facts/Adrian_Aliaj/8Sb9uRaW">Adrian Aliaj</a>, denting the Greeks' possibility to qualify. The Albanians led the table for the first time in a qualification after this match.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:70" href="#fn:70">70</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:71" href="#fn:71">71</a> Albania went on to disappoint by losing to Georgia away and Denmark at home, before returning to winning ways by beating Kazakhstan 0–1 with a goal from <a href="/facts/Alban_Bushi/ynqGNN12">Alban Bushi</a>. Then, Albania played Ukraine, Turkey, and Greece, losing all three matches. Later Albania beat Georgia 3–2 by two goals from <a href="/facts/Igli_Tare/Wte3JrdX">Igli Tare</a> and one from <a href="/facts/Ervin_Skela/CQJCLqJT">Ervin Skela</a> as well as beating Kazakhstan with 2–1 by goals from <a href="/facts/Florian_Myrtaj/XSjKaSCq">Florian Myrtaj</a> and striker <a href="/facts/Erjon_Bogdani/EtHRoz6z">Erjon Bogdani</a>. The last positive result for Albania in this qualification would be a 2–2 away draw with Ukraine where <a href="/facts/Erjon_Bogdani/EtHRoz6z">Bogdani</a> scored two goals. At the end, Albania got 13 points, and four wins in their best result then. They surpassed for the first time in their history two nations in the qualifying standings.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:72" href="#fn:72">72</a>

<h3>World Cup 2014 qualifying</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%25E2%2580%2593_UEFA_Group_E/C5TDdRTy">2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group E</a>
Albania started the qualifiers well, notably defeating Cyprus with 3–1 by goals from <a href="/facts/Armando_Sadiku/78JSoXPc">Armando Sadiku</a>, <a href="/facts/Edgar_%25C3%2587ani/TCSblLmf">Edgar Çani</a> and <a href="/facts/Erjon_Bogdani/EtHRoz6z">Erjon Bogdani</a> as well as beating Slovenia at home with 1–0 by a goal from <a href="/facts/Odise_Roshi/YdMXWnDb">Odise Roshi</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:73" href="#fn:73">73</a> which was followed by an unprecedent away win at <a href="/facts/Norway_national_football_team/tXVW9AjU">Norway</a> in Oslo after a stunning goal from <a href="/facts/Hamdi_Salihi/dw9BP9tE">Hamdi Salihi</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:74" href="#fn:74">74</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:75" href="#fn:75">75</a> Albania would also draw against Norway at home despite leading the match with a goal from <a href="/facts/Valdet_Rama/PIBGzrwf">Valdet Rama</a>, this match ending in a 1–1 draw.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:76" href="#fn:76">76</a> The team was at one point 2nd with 6 matches played and 4 to spare, but failed to be successful in the last four, losing away in Slovenia and Iceland,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:77" href="#fn:77">77</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:78" href="#fn:78">78</a> as well at home against Switzerland,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:79" href="#fn:79">79</a> and drawing in Cyprus.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:80" href="#fn:80">80</a> With De Biasi, the Albania national team reached an unprecedented high number of players, who although are ethnically Albanian, were not born in Albania, but either in Kosovo, or outside of Kosovo, while hailing from <a href="/facts/Albanians_in_Kosovo/dycha0ec">Kosovo Albania</a> parents. In 2011–13, 14 Albanians of Kosovo origin were either part of the start-up team, or had received recent call-ups.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:81" href="#fn:81">81</a>

<h3>UEFA Euro 2016 qualification</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2016_qualifying_Group_I/NUHIyWRU">UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group I</a>
The qualifying draw took place on 23 February 2014. Albania was drawn in Group I along with <a href="/facts/Portugal_national_football_team/npcIh0mR">Portugal</a>, <a href="/facts/Denmark_national_football_team/cUdDd4Qf">Denmark</a>, <a href="/facts/Serbia_national_football_team/0ULIz0rq">Serbia</a>, and <a href="/facts/Armenia_national_football_team/LsKrpQMk">Armenia</a>. Qualifying matches started in September 2014. Albania started the qualifiers with a historic result as they beat group favourites Portugal 1–0 away thanks to a goal from <a href="/facts/Bekim_Balaj/RID3SvSC">Bekim Balaj</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:82" href="#fn:82">82</a> In the second match against Denmark at the newly renovated <a href="/facts/Elbasan_Arena/m0TSSzqb">Elbasan Arena</a>, Albania was in the lead until the 82nd minute where <a href="/facts/Lasse_Vibe/Wqjzwgrh">Lasse Vibe</a> equalized, with the match ending 1–1. In the <a href="/facts/Serbia_v_Albania_(UEFA_Euro_2016_qualifying)/NNEtQu0C">next game against Serbia</a> at <a href="/facts/Partizan_Stadium/zPw7kejd">Partizan Stadium</a>, the match was abandoned in 42nd minute after several on and off the field incidents. Despite the violence by Serbia's hooligans against Albania at <a href="/facts/Partizan_Stadium/zPw7kejd">Partizan Stadium</a>, Serbia was awarded the 3–0 victory after the decision by <a href="/facts/UEFA/UafFnEBe">UEFA</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:83" href="#fn:83">83</a> The decision was appealed by both Serbia and Albania,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:84" href="#fn:84">84</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:85" href="#fn:85">85</a> but the decision was upheld by UEFA.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:86" href="#fn:86">86</a> Both associations then filed further appeals to the <a href="/facts/Court_of_Arbitration_for_Sport/4Dlz2M3W">Court of Arbitration for Sport</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:87" href="#fn:87">87</a> and on 10 July 2015 the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected the appeal filed by the Serbian FA, and upholds in part the appeal filed by the Albanian FA, meaning the match is deemed to have been forfeited by Serbia with 0–3 and they are still deducted three points.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:88" href="#fn:88">88</a>
In the fourth match against Armenia at home, Albania were behind from the 4th minute after an own goal from <a href="/facts/M%25C3%25ABrgim_Mavraj/512cNYzu">Mërgim Mavraj</a>, but Mavraj equalized in the 77th minute with a powerful header. Four minutes later <a href="/facts/Shk%25C3%25ABlzen_Gashi/sFMf0zGt">Shkëlzen Gashi</a> scored the winner, putting Albania in the 2nd position along with Denmark with 10 points.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:89" href="#fn:89">89</a> It was the first time that Albania ended the first part of the qualifiers in the second spot. Albania made history again by beating <a href="/facts/1998_FIFA_World_Cup/red67NvM">one-time world champions</a> and <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2016/FT4X5tYG">UEFA Euro 2016</a> hosts <a href="/facts/France_national_football_team/sFSXkum8">France</a> at the <a href="/facts/Elbasan_Arena/m0TSSzqb">Elbasan Arena</a> in the "<a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2016_qualifying_Group_I/NUHIyWRU">Group I</a>" <a href="/facts/Exhibition_game/Wcs67umG">friendly match</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:90" href="#fn:90">90</a> After a draw against Denmark, Albania clinched at least a play-off place. Despite losing to Portugal and Serbia, Albania defeated Armenia 3–0 in <a href="/facts/Yerevan/9pWddYcY">Yerevan</a> and qualified for <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2016/FT4X5tYG">UEFA Euro 2016</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:91" href="#fn:91">91</a> for its first appearance at a major men's football tournament after 50 years.

<h3>Albania at the UEFA Euro 2016</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2016_Group_A/ogGIc8qR">UEFA Euro 2016 Group A</a>
Albania qualified for the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2016/FT4X5tYG">UEFA Euro 2016</a> held in France. They were drawn in a strong group with the host France, Switzerland and Romania. In their second ever campaign Albania started their first Groupstage Match against <a href="/facts/Switzerland_national_football_team/57Ts2BzC">Switzerland</a>. Despite being 0–1 down after an unlucky conceded goal from F.Schär in the 5th minute.[cleanup needed] Albania did play a strong match even though with 10 men because <a href="/facts/Lorik_Cana/lsWJ6MQD">Lorik Cana</a> got a red card for holding the ball with his hand in the 36th minute. Albania did everything in the second half and had 6 minutes before the end an amazing chance to equalize in the closing stage of the match, to get a deserved draw but <a href="/facts/Shkelzen_Gashi/sFMf0zGt">Shkelzen Gashi</a> missed a sitter in front off the goal. Despite that the Albanian team was praised by the football community for their strong performance.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:92" href="#fn:92">92</a> Albania would play against <a href="/facts/France_national_football_team/sFSXkum8">France</a> in their second group game. Until the end Albania hold in Marseille a strong 0–0 draw but in the end Albania conceded two goals from <a href="/facts/Antoine_Griezmann/HKKlVsXR">Antoine Griezmann</a> and <a href="/facts/Dimitri_Payet/9JuIW6qF">Dimitri Payet</a> to lose in the end with 2–0. Albania would face in their last Groupstage match <a href="/facts/Romania_national_football_team/aAfWYTll">Romania</a>. Albania would win this match with 0–1 by a beautiful header scored by <a href="/facts/Armando_Sadiku/78JSoXPc">Armando Sadiku</a> in the 43rd minute. In the second half Albania defended the result and secured their first win after 50 years in a <a href="/facts/UEFA_European_Championship/EFWkyW5j">UEFA European Championship</a> in their history. However, the team finished last among the third-placed teams and didn't progress beyond the group stage.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:93" href="#fn:93">93</a>
In 2020, Albania won for the first time a group by finishing first in group 4 of <a href="/facts/2020-21_UEFA_Nations_League_C/Gt3RPetv">UEFA Nations League C</a>. Albania also won a spot for the play-offs of 2022 World Cup and was promoted in <a href="/facts/2022-23_UEFA_Nations_League_B/6CMU0lD5">UEFA Nations League B</a>.

<h3>2021–2023: From FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign to qualification for the UEFA Euro 2024</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%25E2%2580%2593_UEFA_Group_I/tDphwmnF">2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group I</a>
Main article: <a href="/facts/2022%25E2%2580%259323_UEFA_Nations_League_B/6CMU0lD5">2022–23 UEFA Nations League B</a>
Main article: <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2024_qualifying_Group_E/og0DlQCF">UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group E</a>
After their close miss to qualify for the <a href="/facts/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%25E2%2580%2593_UEFA_Group_I/tDphwmnF">2022 FIFA World Cup</a> in Katar, in which Albania finished third in the Group with a record of six wins and 18 points along the way.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:94" href="#fn:94">94</a> Notably beating <a href="/facts/Hungary_national_football_team/RhEIJrNx">Hungary</a> twice in fact with the same score.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:95" href="#fn:95">95</a> Albania would depart its way with <a href="/facts/Edoardo_Reja/8JkGtX91">Edoardo Reja</a> after a shocking display for Albania in the <a href="/facts/2022%25E2%2580%259323_UEFA_Nations_League/6CMU0lD5">2022–23 UEFA Nations League</a> <a href="/facts/2022%25E2%2580%259323_UEFA_Nations_League_B/6CMU0lD5">Group 2</a> in Division B.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:96" href="#fn:96">96</a> In which the Albanians were performing badly especially against <a href="/facts/Israel_national_football_team/uqmI6ukL">Israel</a> losing at home 1–2 and away with the same score. Securing only two points in total both against <a href="/facts/Iceland_national_football_team/oCapbNfU">Iceland</a> 1–1 and 1–1 away as well. Still Albania secured another year in the same Division B after <a href="/facts/Russia_national_football_team/AVQnWQ36">Russia</a> being excluded from Group 2 in the first place.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:97" href="#fn:97">97</a>
In the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2024_qualifying_Group_E/og0DlQCF">UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group E</a> Albania were drawn together with <a href="/facts/Czech_Republic_national_football_team/WhmoSCfv">Czech Republic</a>, <a href="/facts/Poland_national_football_team/hBrcyFUN">Poland</a>, <a href="/facts/Faroe_Islands_national_football_team/z2TKGoDf">Faroe Islands</a> and <a href="/facts/Moldova_national_football_team/RFXdo5EJ">Moldova</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:98" href="#fn:98">98</a> In which the new coach <a href="/facts/Sylvinho/HHoTVXUv">Sylvinho</a> gave his debut for the Country.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:99" href="#fn:99">99</a> Albania lost his first match against <a href="/facts/Poland_national_football_team/hBrcyFUN">Poland</a> away close with 1-0 despite playing well.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:100" href="#fn:100">100</a> In the following matches Albania wouldn't lose any of them. Beating <a href="/facts/Moldova_national_football_team/RFXdo5EJ">Moldova</a> at home 2–0 with <a href="/facts/Jasir_Asani/kRcCgtWm">Jasir Asani</a> scoring the goal of the Matchday for his side.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:101" href="#fn:101">101</a> Followed by a win against the <a href="/facts/Faroe_Islands_national_football_team/z2TKGoDf">Faroe Islands</a> 1–3 away in which <a href="/facts/Kristjan_Asllani/BazNBo6J">Kristjan Asllani</a> scored a beautiful UEFA Match day winning goal for the second time running for Albania in their campaign.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:102" href="#fn:102">102</a> After a hard-earned 1–1 draw in Prague against the <a href="/facts/Czech_Republic_national_football_team/WhmoSCfv">Czech Republic</a> with a screamer goal from <a href="/facts/Nedim_Bajrami/KJ160h6o">Nedim Bajrami</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:103" href="#fn:103">103</a> The Albanians were able to beat <a href="/facts/Poland_national_football_team/hBrcyFUN">Poland</a> in the <a href="/facts/Arena_Komb%25C3%25ABtare/qVeaNsGb">Arena Kombëtare</a> with 2–0 and another <a href="/facts/Jasir_Asani/kRcCgtWm">Jasir Asani</a> mega goal.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:104" href="#fn:104">104</a> For the third time Albania scored the most beautiful goal of the Matchday.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:105" href="#fn:105">105</a> They would also beat the <a href="/facts/Czech_Republic_national_football_team/WhmoSCfv">Czech Republic</a> with a dominant 3–0 display.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:106" href="#fn:106">106</a> Albania would secure the Qualification for the second time in the History for the <a href="/facts/UEFA_European_Championship/EFWkyW5j">UEFA European Championship</a> at the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2024/e5nTvf6r">UEFA Euro 2024</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:107" href="#fn:107">107</a> in Germany, after drawing to <a href="/facts/Moldova_national_football_team/RFXdo5EJ">Moldova</a> 1–1 despite leading most of the match.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:108" href="#fn:108">108</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:109" href="#fn:109">109</a> Although drawing once more against the <a href="/facts/Faroe_Islands_national_football_team/z2TKGoDf">Faroe Islands</a> Albania would finish the qualifications in the first place with 15 Points for the first time ever in their history.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:110" href="#fn:110">110</a> Being also eight Matches unbeaten during that period.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:111" href="#fn:111">111</a> They secured the second pot for the UEFA Group stage draws after ranking <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2024_qualifying/e5nTvf6r">10th</a> in the power rankings.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:112" href="#fn:112">112</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:113" href="#fn:113">113</a>

<h2 id="achievements-by-albania">Achievements by Albania</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/UEFA_European_Championship/EFWkyW5j">UEFA European Championship</a>:
<ul><li>Round of 16 (1): <a href="/facts/1964_European_Nations%2527_Cup_round_of_16/IbDl6Gyv">1964 European Nations' Cup qualification</a>.</li>
<li>Groupstage (2): <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2016_Group_A/ogGIc8qR">UEFA Euro 2016</a> in France , <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2024_Group_B/q5159HdT">UEFA Euro 2024</a> in Germany.</li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Balkan_Cup/EjhHp2rp">Balkan Cup</a>:
<ul><li>Champions (1): <a href="/facts/1946_Balkan_Cup/mUNqJIrR">1946</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Malta_International_Football_Tournament/NKXQdy9u">Malta International Football Tournament</a>:
<ul><li>Champions (1): <a href="/facts/2000_Malta_International_Football_Tournament/5AntSSSp">2000</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:114" href="#fn:114">114</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/UEFA_Nations_League/PdW87335">UEFA Nations League</a>
<ul><li>Promotion (1): <a href="/facts/2020%25E2%2580%259321_UEFA_Nations_League_C/Gt3RPetv">2020–21 UEFA Nations League C</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/UEFA_European_Under-21_Championship/zNpYLdh8">UEFA European Under-21 Championship</a>
<ul><li>Quarterfinals (1): in <a href="/facts/1984_UEFA_European_Under-21_Championship/jhoIRxeb">1984</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Balkan_Youth_Championship/NCeVJFSc">Balkan Youth Championship</a>
<ul><li>Winners (2): 1978, 1981</li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Football_at_the_Mediterranean_Games/22YPGsSl">Football at the Mediterranean Games</a>
<ul><li>6th Place finish (1): at the <a href="/facts/Football_at_the_1991_Mediterranean_Games/qHWuwCUK">1991 Mediterranean Games</a> for <a href="/facts/Albania_national_under-23_football_team/WBCjLBer">Albania (U23)</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship/86awvV58">UEFA European Under-19 Championship</a>
<ul><li>Groupstage (1): by the <a href="/facts/Albania_national_under-19_football_team/bF8plwAX">Albania U19</a> in <a href="/facts/1982_UEFA_European_Under-18_Championship/YPFXIhD7">1982</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/WAFF_U-18_Championship/qK1s0nGE">WAFF U-19 Championship</a>
<ul><li>Groupstage (1): in <a href="/facts/2024_WAFF_U-19_Championship/T1RaFEnX">2024</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/UEFA_European_Under-17_Championship/P4e6p1CP">UEFA European Under-17 Championship</a>
<ul><li>Groupstage (2): by the <a href="/facts/Albania_national_under-17_football_team/WD7sC0rV">Albania U17</a> in <a href="/facts/1994_UEFA_European_Under-16_Championship/DDRy0T2b">1994</a> and also hosting the <a href="/facts/2025_UEFA_European_Under-17_Championship/38np2Fqz">2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship</a>.</li></ul></li></ul>
<h3>Albanian football clubs in UEFA Club Competitions</h3>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/UEFA_Champions_League/h1ao7NDp">UEFA Champions League</a>:
<ul><li>Round of 16 (3): <a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">KF Tirana</a> in <a href="/facts/1982%25E2%2580%259383_European_Cup/zUL67fy0">1982</a>, <a href="/facts/1988-89_European_Cup/qFub4vFN">1988</a>, <a href="/facts/1989%25E2%2580%259390_European_Cup/CxLqlCV6">1989 European Cup</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/UEFA_Europa_League/aQeea4zp">UEFA Europa League</a>:
<ul><li>Round of 16 (1): <a href="/facts/Flamurtari_FC/qFtHwTws">Flamutari Vlora</a> in <a href="/facts/1987%25E2%2580%259388_UEFA_Cup/3twLAD6e">1987</a></li>
<li>Groupstage (2): <a href="/facts/KF_Sk%25C3%25ABnderbeu_Kor%25C3%25A7%25C3%25AB/K3yg4RVz">KF Skënderbeu Korçë</a> in <a href="/facts/2015%25E2%2580%259316_UEFA_Europa_League_group_stage/GQSheWpx">2015–16</a> and <a href="/facts/2017%25E2%2580%259318_UEFA_Europa_League_group_stage/FAvbRsCU">2017–18</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/UEFA_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/7rnj3yIk">UEFA Cup Winners' Cup</a>:
<ul><li>Round of 16 (3): <a href="/facts/KF_Besa_Kavaj%25C3%25AB/Tf04j0rH">KF Besa Kavajë</a> in <a href="/facts/1972%25E2%2580%259373_European_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/g8B8VpGs">1972</a>, <a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">KF Tirana</a> in <a href="/facts/1986%25E2%2580%259387_European_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/ygAqrh8a">1986</a> and <a href="/facts/KF_Vllaznia_Shkod%25C3%25ABr/HCaUsBxr">KF Vllaznia Shkodër</a> in the <a href="/facts/1987%25E2%2580%259388_European_Cup_Winners%2527_Cup/6ySnLH4F">1987 European Cup Winners' Cup</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Balkans_Cup/sR95aeGM">Balkans Cup</a>:
<ul><li>Winners (1): <a href="/facts/FK_Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">Partizani Tirana</a>,</li>
<li><a href="/facts/1970_Balkans_Cup/hTNJl4eH">1970 Balkans Cup</a></li></ul></li></ul>
<h4>Albanian Female Football clubs in UEFA Competitions</h4>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/UEFA_Women%2527s_Champions_League/k3X07JfC">UEFA Women's Champions League</a>
<ul><li>Round of 32 (1): by <a href="/facts/KFF_Vllaznia_Shkod%25C3%25ABr/TUD0Klo2">Vllaznia Shkodër</a> in <a href="/facts/2019%25E2%2580%259320_UEFA_Women%2527s_Champions_League_knockout_phase/XoQcU9mq">2019–20</a> and they qualified to the Groupstage (1): by <a href="/facts/KFF_Vllaznia_Shkod%25C3%25ABr/TUD0Klo2">Vllaznia Shkodër</a> in <a href="/facts/2022%25E2%2580%259323_UEFA_Women%2527s_Champions_League_group_stage/Q0KDvD6E">2022–23</a></li></ul></li></ul>
<h2 id="youth-football-in-albania">Youth football in Albania</h2>
<h3>Balkan Youth Championship</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Albania_national_under-21_football_team/WTI88rmC">Albania national under-21 football team</a>
Albania Under-21 participated in the <a href="/facts/Balkan_Youth_Championship/NCeVJFSc">Balkan Youth Championship</a> as a successor to the <a href="/facts/Albania_national_under-23_football_team/WBCjLBer">Under-23 team</a>, in the 1976–78 and 1981 competitions, winning both with finals against <a href="/facts/Romania_national_under-21_football_team/HF7PYIQL">Romania</a> and <a href="/facts/Bulgaria_national_under-21_football_team/XJg5rE3y">Bulgaria</a>. Notably in 1978, the second leg of the final match against Romania was characterized by a large Albania's win 7–1, which is the largest win ever recorded by Albania U-21.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:115" href="#fn:115">115</a>

<h3>1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/1984_UEFA_European_Under-21_Football_Championship/jhoIRxeb">1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship</a>
Albania Under-21s have managed to qualify only once in their history, and that came in the year of 1984 when they managed to qualify for the <a href="/facts/1984_UEFA_European_Under-21_Football_Championship/jhoIRxeb">1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship</a>, although they were competing for the first time in such tournament. They were drawn in a very tough group which included the <a href="/facts/West_Germany/oCydk787">West Germany</a>, <a href="/facts/Turkey/KIYAWAs0">Turkey</a> and <a href="/facts/Austria/4qWIMIyc">Austria</a>. The historic event was the first time any Albanian squad qualified for a <a href="/facts/Europe/DTAtrKfh">Europe</a> or World Championship, and is only the fifth time any Albanian squad qualified for the major championships. To this day the team that qualified for <a href="/facts/1984_UEFA_European_Under-21_Football_Championship/jhoIRxeb">1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship</a> 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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:116" href="#fn:116">116</a>

<h3>Albania under-19 football team</h3>
Than the <a href="/facts/Albania_national_under-18_football_team/cqWNq81n">Albania national under-18 football team</a> were able to participate for the first time ever in the <a href="/facts/1982_UEFA_European_Under-18_Championship/YPFXIhD7">1982 UEFA European Under-18 Championship</a> after beating <a href="/facts/Cyprus_national_under-18_football_team/oFroXfkt">Cyprus</a> 4–2 on aggregate in the Playoffs.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:117" href="#fn:117">117</a> in the Groupstage they faced in Group D: <a href="/facts/Scotland_national_under-18_football_team/djDEeXAA">Scotland</a>, <a href="/facts/Netherlands_national_under-18_football_team/wGR1MhtI">Netherlands</a>, and <a href="/facts/Turkey_national_under-18_football_team/zyBlhmk2">Turkey</a>. Albania couldn't qualify after losing their first two matches against Scotland and the Netherlands, they secure one point against turkey in the last Groupstage match respectively. Their best result so far in their U19/18 history.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:118" href="#fn:118">118</a> In the following <a href="/facts/1983_UEFA_European_Under-18_Championship/7vmw7TD0">1983 UEFA European Under-18 Championship</a> Albania came close to qualify once more but they lost the Playoff Round against <a href="/facts/Bulgaria_national_under-18_football_team/9BaCFej7">Bulgaria</a> with 4–1 despite the close win in the second leg.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:119" href="#fn:119">119</a>

<h3>Albania under-17 football team</h3>
The <a href="/facts/Albania_national_under-17_football_team/WD7sC0rV">Albania national under-17 football team</a> debut participating came at the <a href="/facts/1994_UEFA_European_Under-16_Championship/DDRy0T2b">1994 UEFA European Under-16 Championship</a> in Ireland. In which Albania secured only one draw against <a href="/facts/Belarus_national_under-17_football_team/w4jle8yp">Belarus</a>. Losing close before to <a href="/facts/Austria_national_under-17_football_team/56NX7rNf">Austria</a> and to <a href="/facts/Spain_national_under-17_football_team/XwyQ8R2J">Spain</a> as well.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:120" href="#fn:120">120</a>
After more than thirty years without a participation the Under 17 of Albania will host the <a href="/facts/UEFA_European_Under-17_Championship/P4e6p1CP">2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship</a>, who will be held in Tirana.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:121" href="#fn:121">121</a>

<h2 id="albanian-footballers">Albanian footballers</h2>
In the past Albania produced players such as <a href="/facts/Loro_Bori%25C3%25A7i/XxGpbyXy">Loro Boriçi</a> who 
captained the <a href="/facts/Albania_national_football_team/1xsFcE7M">Albania national football team</a>, as well as <a href="/facts/Panajot_Pano/X8xsF0QT">Panajot Pano</a>, <a href="/facts/Naim_Kryeziu/7ydSwXqE">Naim Kryeziu</a> and <a href="/facts/Riza_Lushta/fc4p4Ctt">Riza Lushta</a>.
<a href="/facts/Naim_Kryeziu/7ydSwXqE">Naim Kryeziu</a> started his long football career in <a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">SK Tirana</a> where he played for six seasons winning four <a href="/facts/Kategoria_Superiore/k0xy48NA">Kategoria Superiore</a> between <a href="/facts/1934_Albanian_National_Championship/TBeWhJhM">1934</a> and <a href="/facts/1939_Albanian_National_Championship/jy8E61YL">1939</a> as well as one <a href="/facts/Kupa_e_Shqip%25C3%25ABris%25C3%25AB/GsgyeyrQ">Albanian Cup</a> title in <a href="/facts/1938%25E2%2580%259339_Albanian_Cup/yLTWHepN">1938-39</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:122" href="#fn:122">122</a> After 1939 he was noted by an Italian sports professor who suggested him to play for <a href="/facts/A.S._Roma/k7txySFP">AS Roma</a>. He then played for Roma between 1939 and 1947 scoring 27 goals and winning with them the <a href="/facts/1941%25E2%2580%259342_Serie_A/mMfeT75f">1941–42 Serie A</a> title. His biggest achievement in his football career.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:123" href="#fn:123">123</a> Being the first Albanian footballer to win a <a href="/facts/Serie_A/wEa6gVhz">Serie A</a> title. He later would play successfully for <a href="/facts/S.S.C._Napoli/XwQ6Fwe1">S.S.C. Napoli</a> scoring in five seasons 39 goals for the Gli Azzurris. Before retiring his footballing career in 1954. He scored 68 goals in the Seria A and is still even to this day one of the most successful Albanian footballers in the football history in Europe.
He later started a coaching career, serving also as AS Roma head coach for a short time during the <a href="/facts/1963%25E2%2580%259364_Serie_A/L3PG7QIE">1963–64</a> season as a replacement for Alfredo Foni.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:124" href="#fn:124">124</a> he would coach <a href="/facts/A.S._Roma/k7txySFP">A.S. Roma</a> once more between 1970 and 1973 in his career.
<a href="/facts/Riza_Lushta/fc4p4Ctt">Riza Lushta</a> is a well known footballer in Albania and Italy. He started his football career in <a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">KF Tirana</a> where he won the <a href="/facts/Kategoria_Superiore/k0xy48NA">Kategoria Superiore</a> four times in six seasons, he played with. He would then play for Seria A side <a href="/facts/S.S.C._Bari/E8ENYPba">S.S.C. Bari</a> for the upcoming season. Where he scored three times in sixteen matches.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:125" href="#fn:125">125</a> His performances with Bari attracted the interest of <a href="/facts/Juventus_F.C./HJJlKv8J">Juventus Turin</a> who he joined in 1940 after just one year with Bari. He would play for the Old Lady for five seasons. His most successful season came in the <a href="/facts/1941%25E2%2580%259342_Serie_A/mMfeT75f">1941–42 Serie A</a> where he scored 15 goals for Juve being the highest foreigner goalscorer in the Seria in that particular season. Lushta made history as he won with <a href="/facts/Juventus_F.C./HJJlKv8J">Juventus Turin</a> the <a href="/facts/1941%25E2%2580%259342_Coppa_Italia/zuk0uGTn">1941–42 Coppa Italia</a>. Where he is known for his hattrick he scored against <a href="/facts/A.C._Milan/yDRPqvJI">A.C. Milan</a> in the second leg of the finals.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:126" href="#fn:126">126</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:127" href="#fn:127">127</a> Riza Lushta would be the first Albanian footballer to be a record goalscorer in the <a href="/facts/Coppa_Italia/gtU348d9">Coppa Italia</a> with 8 goals in 6 matches.

Loro mostly played for <a href="/facts/Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">Partizani Tirana</a> in his footballing career, winning with them three times the <a href="/facts/Kategoria_Superiore/k0xy48NA">Kategoria Superiore</a> as well with <a href="/facts/Albania_national_football_team/1xsFcE7M">Albania</a> the <a href="/facts/1946_Balkan_Cup/mUNqJIrR">1946 Balkan Cup</a> in home soil. He had a short spell in Italy with <a href="/facts/S.S._Lazio/tQqGe9qX">Lazio Rome</a> where he scored three goals being the first Albanian footballer to play abroad in the <a href="/facts/Seria_A/xyJvqTtK">Seria A</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:128" href="#fn:128">128</a>
<a href="/facts/Panajot_Pano/X8xsF0QT">Panajot Pano</a> is a well known football player in Albania. He spend most of his career with <a href="/facts/FK_Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">Partizani Tirana</a>. Where he played for 15 years between 1960 and 1975 scoring 136 goals for them. He won with them the <a href="/facts/Kategoria_Superiore/k0xy48NA">Albanian Superliga</a> four times as well as winning the <a href="/facts/Kupa_e_Shqip%25C3%25ABris%25C3%25AB/GsgyeyrQ">Albanian cup</a> six times and one <a href="/facts/Balkans_Cup/sR95aeGM">Balkans Cup</a> title in <a href="/facts/1970_Balkans_Cup/hTNJl4eH">1970</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:129" href="#fn:129">129</a> his only international title with Partizani Tirana. He played for <a href="/facts/Albania_national_football_team/1xsFcE7M">Albania</a> 24 times between 1963 and 1973 where he is known for his goal against 
<a href="/facts/Denmark_national_football_team/cUdDd4Qf">Denmark</a> in the <a href="/facts/1964_European_Nations%2527_Cup/hRkyTqQC">1964 European Nations' Cup</a> <a href="/facts/1964_European_Nations%2527_Cup_round_of_16/IbDl6Gyv">round of 16</a> second leg securing Albania's first ever win in a tournament.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:130" href="#fn:130">130</a>
Due to his skills and abilities, Pano earned the nickname "The little Puskás" by sports commentators.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:131" href="#fn:131">131</a> He is also well 	remembered by world known players such as <a href="/facts/Franz_Beckenbauer/kQKI8GND">Franz Beckenbauer</a>, Willi Schulz as well as <a href="/facts/Fenerbah%25C3%25A7e_S.K._(football)/sb8s3Gd4">Fenerbahçe</a> president of Albanian descent Myslym Bey praising him as a talented striker comparing him to <a href="/facts/Pel%25C3%25A9/bYfr3vzA">Pelé</a> and <a href="/facts/Eus%25C3%25A9bio/aMXyEqBR">Eusébio</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:132" href="#fn:132">132</a>

In November 2003 he was selected as the Golden Player by the <a href="/facts/Football_Association_of_Albania/xzB298N0">Football Association of Albania</a> as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:133" href="#fn:133">133</a>
On 6 March 2009, Pano received the <a href="/facts/Honor_of_the_Nation_Decoration/j4lnozEN">Honor of the Nation Decoration</a> from the <a href="/facts/President_of_Albania/7Y9TV2tU">President of Albania</a>, <a href="/facts/Bamir_Topi/JDlvsgBS">Bamir Topi</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:134" href="#fn:134">134</a> This was the first time in the history of Albania that a footballer was honored with the Honor of the Nation order.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:135" href="#fn:135">135</a>
In recent history Albania produced top talented players such as <a href="/facts/Lorik_Cana/lsWJ6MQD">Lorik Cana</a> he played for <a href="/facts/Paris_Saint-Germain_F.C./pyF66zLV">Paris Saint-Germain F.C.</a> which who he won the
<a href="/facts/Coupe_de_France/tMtVcqDN">Coupe de France</a> in <a href="/facts/2003%25E2%2580%259304_Coupe_de_France/4thBslnK">2003–04</a> as well playing for their rivals <a href="/facts/Olympique_de_Marseille/VBbXDk7l">Olympique de Marseille</a>. He also played for Seria A side <a href="/facts/S.S._Lazio/tQqGe9qX">S.S. Lazio</a> which who he won the <a href="/facts/2012%25E2%2580%259313_Coppa_Italia/rCIqlRpx">2012–13 Coppa Italia</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:136" href="#fn:136">136</a> Lorik Cana is the most capped player in the History off <a href="/facts/Albania_national_football_team/1xsFcE7M">Albania</a> with 93 games in total. He competed with Albania at the <a href="/facts/UEFA_Euro_2016/FT4X5tYG">UEFA Euro 2016</a> held in France. Playing two out of their three matches in the Groupstage. After that he retired as a professional football player.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:137" href="#fn:137">137</a>

The most famous player at the moment is <a href="/facts/Thomas_Strakosha/NdEw1gbL">Thomas Strakosha</a>, goalkeeper for <a href="/facts/S.S._Lazio/tQqGe9qX">Lazio</a> in the <a href="/facts/Serie_A/wEa6gVhz">Serie A</a> winning with them two Coppa Italia in <a href="/facts/2012%25E2%2580%259313_Coppa_Italia/rCIqlRpx">2012–13</a> and <a href="/facts/2018%25E2%2580%259319_Coppa_Italia/5mJXCkDR">2018–19</a>. He has won also two times the <a href="/facts/Supercoppa_Italiana/2jo9L6Aa">Supercoppa Italiana</a> in <a href="/facts/2017_Supercoppa_Italiana/qVVKBdae">2017</a> and <a href="/facts/2019_Supercoppa_Italiana/Wts1qk7s">2019</a> both against Juventus Turin.
<a href="/facts/Elseid_Hysaj/SljcI476">Elseid Hysaj</a> who played in the past for <a href="/facts/S.S.C._Napoli/XwQ6Fwe1">S.S.C. Napoli</a> which he won with them the <a href="/facts/Coppa_Italia/gtU348d9">Coppa Italia</a> in <a href="/facts/2019%25E2%2580%259320_Coppa_Italia/qII6Vezp">2019–20</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:138" href="#fn:138">138</a> He is playing right now for Lazio Rome. <a href="/facts/Berat_Djimsiti/cxy08KF8">Berat Djimsiti</a> is playing for <a href="/facts/Atalanta_B.C/GF5BtQlh">Atalanta B.C</a>.

<h2 id="supporters">Supporters</h2>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Tifozat_Kuq_e_Zi/1pfPHRKs">Tifozat Kuq e Zi</a>

Tifozat Kuq e Zi (English: Red and Black Fans, also known as the Albania National Football Team Supporters Club) is a <a href="/facts/Non-profit/AmXu2c85">non-profit</a> <a href="/facts/Football_(soccer)/yttjeD0D">football</a> supporters' association for the Albania national football team and various national team sportive activities.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:139" href="#fn:139">139</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:140" href="#fn:140">140</a> It was founded on 25 December 2003.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:141" href="#fn:141">141</a> In cooperation with <a href="/facts/Football_Association_of_Albania/xzB298N0">FSHF</a>, it organises trips for football fans to visit games, and develops and sells merchandise to support itself and fund sporting related projects.
Tifozat Kuq e Zi stands firm in the political view that <a href="/facts/Albanian_people/wc6Mj4KA">Albanians</a> should share only one national team and have continuous aspirations to join in one state (Një Komb, Një Kombëtare), i.e. unification of Albania, Kosovo, etc.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:142" href="#fn:142">142</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:143" href="#fn:143">143</a> In this sense, TKZ is joined by different supporters' associations throughout Albanian-speaking regions mainly in <a href="/facts/Kosovo/lbyzI6UW">Kosovo</a> (Shqiponjat of <a href="/facts/Peja_(Kosovo)/526SFRtq">Peja</a>, <a href="/facts/KF_V%25C3%25ABllaznimi/2ADPV2xs">Kuqezinjet e Jakoves</a> of <a href="/facts/Gjakova/GdH1rUNl">Gjakova</a>, <a href="/facts/FC_Prishtina/Req6Np5s">Plisat</a> of <a href="/facts/Pristina/k6djc2Xm">Prishtina</a>, <a href="/facts/KF_Trep%25C3%25A7a/IVqlSr5M">Torcida</a> of <a href="/facts/Kosovska_Mitrovica/DnAzBM84">Mitrovica</a>, etc.), <a href="/facts/North_Macedonia/YpfcC5DA">North Macedonia</a> (<a href="/facts/FK_Shk%25C3%25ABndija/lE64BbmF">Ballistët</a> of <a href="/facts/Tetovo/t83I0D4C">Tetovë</a>, <a href="/facts/FK_Bashkimi_(2011)/o7IECUeG">Ilirët</a> of <a href="/facts/Kumanovo/qCaAMM8V">Kumanovë</a>, <a href="/facts/FK_Shkupi/FpWNH5PG">Shvercerat</a> of <a href="/facts/Skopje/RICoPBLw">Shkupi</a>, etc.) and in Albania itself (<a href="/facts/FK_Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">Ultras Guerrils</a> of <a href="/facts/FK_Partizani_Tirana/o5Y9uASw">Partizani Tirana</a>, <a href="/facts/Tirona_Fanatics/rv8QCC5D">Tirona Fanatics</a> of <a href="/facts/KF_Tirana/rv8QCC5D">KF Tirana</a>, <a href="/facts/KF_Vllaznia_Shkod%25C3%25ABr/HCaUsBxr">Vllaznit Ultras</a> of <a href="/facts/KF_Vllaznia_Shkod%25C3%25ABr/HCaUsBxr">Vllaznia Shkodër</a>, <a href="/facts/KF_Sk%25C3%25ABnderbeu_Kor%25C3%25A7%25C3%25AB/K3yg4RVz">Ujqërit e Deborës</a> of <a href="/facts/KF_Sk%25C3%25ABnderbeu_Kor%25C3%25A7%25C3%25AB/K3yg4RVz">Skënderbeu Korçë</a>, Shqiponjat of <a href="/facts/KF_Besa_Pej%25C3%25AB/sLYQcVKd">KF Besa Pejë</a> and many other different Albanian fans).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:144" href="#fn:144">144</a>
The ongoing dispute between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Football Association of Albania has been seen as a political intrusion by <a href="/facts/FIFA/wC2aqLnn">FIFA</a> and <a href="/facts/UEFA/UafFnEBe">UEFA</a>, which led to the banning of Albania from international sportive activities. FSHF president <a href="/facts/Armand_Duka/HRlMlddb">Armand Duka</a> is highly unwanted by the TKZ who have numerously asked for his resignation believing he is responsible for internal corruption in the <a href="/facts/Albanian_Football_Association/xzB298N0">Albanian Football Association</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:145" href="#fn:145">145</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:146" href="#fn:146">146</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:147" href="#fn:147">147</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:148" href="#fn:148">148</a>
The TKZ have been praised by many different football players and managers, whom were not just Albanian. One example is with Switzerland's former coach, <a href="/facts/Ottmar_Hitzfeld/gyWqQGdb">Ottmar Hitzfeld</a>, who was astonished by how many Albanian fans turned up and how enthusiastic they were in <a href="/facts/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)/9HrSdBUb">2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying</a> match between <a href="/facts/Switzerland_national_football_team/57Ts2BzC">Switzerland</a> and Albania where the Swiss won 2–0 thanks to goals from <a href="/facts/G%25C3%25B6khan_Inler/esuHAed8">Gökhan Inler</a> and Kosovo-born <a href="/facts/Xherdan_Shaqiri/9WmRYlBp">Xherdan Shaqiri</a>. He didn't believe that there was 12,000 Albanian fans in the stands which was more than how many Swiss fans turned up for the game. He stated that "Albanian fans are fantastic and the most passionate fans I have ever seen".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:149" href="#fn:149">149</a> During that campaign, TKZ attended all games Albania played apart from a match against <a href="/facts/Cyprus_national_football_team/UqFFjQg7">Cyprus</a> in <a href="/facts/Nicosia/fMQCEtDL">Nicosia</a> and were also large in numbers in the away games to <a href="/facts/Slovenia_national_football_team/FhYy6NLp">Slovenia</a> in <a href="/facts/Maribor/AdTJgDKU">Maribor</a> and <a href="/facts/Norway_national_football_team/tXVW9AjU">Norway</a> in <a href="/facts/Oslo/PRJtFYUl">Oslo</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:150" href="#fn:150">150</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:151" href="#fn:151">151</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:152" href="#fn:152">152</a>

<h3>International football</h3>
<h4>Most popular national teams</h4>
As <a href="/facts/Albania_national_football_team/1xsFcE7M">Albania</a> qualifies not often for international tournaments (having never qualified for the <a href="/facts/FIFA_World_Cup/pGI0SF7r">FIFA World Cup</a> and having qualified for the <a href="/facts/UEFA_European_Championship/EFWkyW5j">UEFA European Championship</a> twice in history, failing to make it past the group stage on both occasions), in international tournaments where Albania is absent, many Albanians choose to support another national team.

<table><tbody><tr><th colspan="2">Most supported national teams by Albanians, excluding <a href="/facts/Albania_national_football_team/1xsFcE7M">Albania</a> (2022)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:153" href="#fn:153">153</a></th></tr><tr><th>Team</th><th>%</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Argentina/aFSA5bAk"></a> <a href="/facts/Argentina_national_football_team/wBNzXqUL">Argentina</a></td><td>10.7%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Brazil/QHkG46GL"></a> <a href="/facts/Brazil_national_football_team/2wJk8lUD">Brazil</a></td><td>27.6%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/England/U9mE5bGL"></a> <a href="/facts/England_national_football_team/N71IuE3t">England</a></td><td>2.2%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/France/CxIeIKM3"></a> <a href="/facts/France_national_football_team/sFSXkum8">France</a></td><td>4.0%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Germany/paluuWBX"></a> <a href="/facts/Germany_national_football_team/uPrY0NUd">Germany</a></td><td>24.3%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Italy/tUf0PDYF"></a> <a href="/facts/Italy_national_football_team/VackkxFC">Italy</a></td><td>14.0%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Netherlands/y8xn5stT"></a> <a href="/facts/Netherlands_national_football_team/eqI4UYlE">Netherlands</a></td><td>5.5%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Portugal/lYzwDQ63"></a> <a href="/facts/Portugal_national_football_team/npcIh0mR">Portugal</a></td><td>4.2%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Spain/bIyrB8EY"></a> <a href="/facts/Spain_national_football_team/YYgXHa7g">Spain</a></td><td>3.9%</td></tr><tr><td>Other</td><td>3.5%</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Sports_in_Albania/gsHcnE8j">Sports in Albania</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Albanian_Football_Association/xzB298N0">Albanian Football Association</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/List_of_stadiums_in_Albania/pPXaBFAP">List of stadiums in Albania</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100210122204/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=ALB/profile/index.html">Football in Albania on UEFA</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.league321.com/albania-football.html">League321.com</a> - Albanian football league tables, records & statistics database</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">Wilson, Jonathan (2011-05-03). "Albania loves football - just not the version played in its stadiums". theguardian.com. Retrieved 2013-12-02. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/may/03/jonathan-wilson-albanian-football" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/may/03/jonathan-wilson-albanian-football</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">"Albania cast their net wide and reap the dividends". Worldsoccer.com. 2013-06-01. Archived from the original on 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2013-12-02. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200818235612/https://www.worldsoccer.com/blogs/albania-cast-their-net-wide-and-reap-the-dividends-340925" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20200818235612/https://www.worldsoccer.com/blogs/albania-cast-their-net-wide-and-reap-the-dividends-340925</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">Bourne, Eric (28 January 1988). "How soccer could kick off better ties for Albania and Britain: World Cup match seen as boost to Tirana's bid to resolve old disputes". Christian Science Monitor. CSMonitor.com. Retrieved 2013-12-02. <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0128/oalba2.html" target="_blank">http://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0128/oalba2.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">"Dashuria për futbollin, merr jetë kampionati i amatorëve". www.panorama.com.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 2024-04-17. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/dashuria-per-futbollin-merr-jete-kampionati-i-amatoreve/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/dashuria-per-futbollin-merr-jete-kampionati-i-amatoreve/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">"Season 1962". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/seasons/1962/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/seasons/1962/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">"Season 1963". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/seasons/1963/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/seasons/1963/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">"Historia e Partizanit ne Futboll". Partizani.net. Feb 10, 2019. <a href="https://partizani.net/historia-e-partizanit-ne-futboll/" target="_blank">https://partizani.net/historia-e-partizanit-ne-futboll/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">"SPECIALE- 1 shekull më parë, si nisi historia e FK TIRANA - Gazeta Si". Jul 23, 2020. <a href="https://gazetasi.al/speciale-1-shekull-me-pare-si-nisi-historia-e-fk-tirana/" target="_blank">https://gazetasi.al/speciale-1-shekull-me-pare-si-nisi-historia-e-fk-tirana/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">"UEFA Champions League - Matches". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/seasons/1970/matches/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/seasons/1970/matches/</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">Company, Ingalb. "Historia e klubit Vllaznia". Futboll Klub Vllaznia. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help) <a href="https://www.fkvllaznia.net/historia.html" target="_blank">https://www.fkvllaznia.net/historia.html</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">"Austria Wien-Vllaznia 1978 History". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63464--austria-wien-vs-vllaznia/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63464--austria-wien-vs-vllaznia/</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">"Asllan Kasa: Goleadori "fluturues" dhe "Mbret i ajrit", i sfidoi portierët, jo "jetën"". 21 February 2017. <a href="https://telegraf.al/kulture/asllan-kasa-goleadori-fluturues-dhe-mbret-i-ajrit-i-sfidoi-portieret-jo-jeten/" target="_blank">https://telegraf.al/kulture/asllan-kasa-goleadori-fluturues-dhe-mbret-i-ajrit-i-sfidoi-portieret-jo-jeten/</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">"Beards and Bad Behavior in the Balkans: Albanian Football Clubs in Europe". Feb 26, 2016. <a href="https://balkanist.net/beards-and-bad-behavior-in-the-balkans-albanian-football-clubs-in-europe/" target="_blank">https://balkanist.net/beards-and-bad-behavior-in-the-balkans-albanian-football-clubs-in-europe/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">"Austria Wien-Partizani 1981 History". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63758--austria-wien-vs-partizani/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63758--austria-wien-vs-partizani/</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">"Partizani-Austria Wien 1981 History". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63759--partizani-vs-austria-wien/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63759--partizani-vs-austria-wien/</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">"Kola skanon Agustinin: Ja kur do bëja tifo për Partizanin". www.panorama.com.al. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/speciale-kola-skanon-agustinin-ja-kur-do-beja-tifo-per-partizanin/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/speciale-kola-skanon-agustinin-ja-kur-do-beja-tifo-per-partizanin/</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">"Linfield-Tirana 1982 History". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63828--linfield-vs-tirana/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63828--linfield-vs-tirana/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">"Dynamo Kyiv-Tirana 1982 History". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63853--dynamo-kyiv-vs-tirana/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/63853--dynamo-kyiv-vs-tirana/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">"UEFA Champions League - Matches". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/seasons/1988/matches/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/seasons/1988/matches/</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">"Hamrun-Tirana 1988 History". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/49--hamrun-vs-tirana/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/49--hamrun-vs-tirana/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">"Cikli Dossier/ Mirel Josa, "makthi i të huajve"". sportekspres.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2022. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150324172903/http://sportekspres.com/cikli-dossier-mirel-josa-makthi-i-te-huajve/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20150324172903/http://sportekspres.com/cikli-dossier-mirel-josa-makthi-i-te-huajve/</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:22">"Tirana-Göteborg 1988 History". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/315--tirana-vs-goteborg/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/315--tirana-vs-goteborg/</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:23">"Tirana-Sliema". <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/1260--tirana-vs-sliema/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/1260--tirana-vs-sliema/</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:24">"Bayern-Tirana". <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/1758--bayern-vs-tirana/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/1758--bayern-vs-tirana/</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:25">"Tirana-Bayern". <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/1759--tirana-vs-bayern/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/1759--tirana-vs-bayern/</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:26">"Historia e ekipeve shqiptare në kupat e Europës". Jan 5, 2019. <a href="https://konica.al/2019/01/historia-e-ekipeve-shqiptare-ne-kupat-e-europes/" target="_blank">https://konica.al/2019/01/historia-e-ekipeve-shqiptare-ne-kupat-e-europes/</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:27">"European Competitions 1981-82". RSSSF. <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec198182.html" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec198182.html</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:28">Telegraf, Gazeta (26 January 2019). "Lamtumira/ Vasillaq Zëri, fantazisti që futbollin e ktheu në art". <a href="https://telegraf.al/sport/lamtumira-vasillaq-zeri-fantazisti-qe-futbollin-e-ktheu-ne-art/" target="_blank">https://telegraf.al/sport/lamtumira-vasillaq-zeri-fantazisti-qe-futbollin-e-ktheu-ne-art/</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:29">"European Competitions 1985-86". RSSSF. <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec198586.html" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec198586.html</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:30">"FC Barcelona, best club of the decade 2011-2020 according to the IFFHS". www.fcbarcelona.com. <a href="https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/2076534/fc-barcelona-best-club-of-the-decade-2011-2020-according-to-the-iffhs/amp" target="_blank">https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/2076534/fc-barcelona-best-club-of-the-decade-2011-2020-according-to-the-iffhs/amp</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:31">"Flamurtari-Barcelona 1986 History". UEFA. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/4318--flamurtari-vs-barcelona/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/4318--flamurtari-vs-barcelona/</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:32">"FLAMURTARI 1986-1987, Europa e bujshme e tij…". www.panorama.com.al. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/speciale-nga-besnik-dizdari-flamurtari-1986-1987-europa-e-bujshme-e-tij/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/speciale-nga-besnik-dizdari-flamurtari-1986-1987-europa-e-bujshme-e-tij/</a> <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:33">Telegraf, Gazeta (19 September 2019). "Flamurtari i vitit 1987 që tronditi Evropën". <a href="https://telegraf.al/sport/flamurtari-i-vitit-1987-qe-tronditi-evropen/" target="_blank">https://telegraf.al/sport/flamurtari-i-vitit-1987-qe-tronditi-evropen/</a> <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:34">"Iljadhi: Partizani i Beogradit mundet me agresivitet, Soue "i çan" serbët". www.panorama.com.al. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/iljadhi-partizani-i-beogradit-mundet-me-agresivitet-soue-i-can-serbet/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/iljadhi-partizani-i-beogradit-mundet-me-agresivitet-soue-i-can-serbet/</a> <a href="#fnref:34" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:35">"Kur Fadil Vokrri shënoi për Partizanin e Beogradit dhe Flamurtari heshti Serbinë!". Bota Sot. <a href="https://www.botasot.info/futboll-sporti/775809/kur-fadil-vokrri-shenoi-per-partizanin-e-beogradit-dhe-flamurtari-heshti-serbine/" target="_blank">https://www.botasot.info/futboll-sporti/775809/kur-fadil-vokrri-shenoi-per-partizanin-e-beogradit-dhe-flamurtari-heshti-serbine/</a> <a href="#fnref:35" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:36">"Dy përvjetorët humbës të Partizanit të Beogradit në Shqipëri, një histori e bujshme jugosllavo-shqiptare e futbollit". www.panorama.com.al. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/dy-pervjetoret-humbes-te-partizanit-te-beogradit-ne-shqiperi-nje-histori-e-bujshme-jugosllavo-shqiptare-e-futbollit/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/dy-pervjetoret-humbes-te-partizanit-te-beogradit-ne-shqiperi-nje-histori-e-bujshme-jugosllavo-shqiptare-e-futbollit/</a> <a href="#fnref:36" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:37">"Kushta i golit të famshëm të '87-s: Dronin e lëshuan serbët (INTERVISTE)". Gazeta Dita. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2022-02-27. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210125220321/http://www.gazetadita.al/kushta-e-drejta-eshte-ne-anen-tone-fshf-te-na-mbroje-fort/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20210125220321/http://www.gazetadita.al/kushta-e-drejta-eshte-ne-anen-tone-fshf-te-na-mbroje-fort/</a> <a href="#fnref:37" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:38">"Ish-trajneri shqiptar i Partizan Beograd kujton si u eliminua nga Flamurtari në vitin 1987". Syri | Lajmi i fundit. Oct 19, 2017. <a href="https://www.syri.net/sport/102129/ish-trajneri-shqiptar-i-partizan-beograd-kujton-si-u-eliminua-nga-flamurtari-ne-vitin-1987/" target="_blank">https://www.syri.net/sport/102129/ish-trajneri-shqiptar-i-partizan-beograd-kujton-si-u-eliminua-nga-flamurtari-ne-vitin-1987/</a> <a href="#fnref:38" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:39">"The UEFA Cup 1987/88 - BSG Wismut Aue (GDR)". RSSSF. <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/tablesd/duitec-wismut88.html" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/tablesd/duitec-wismut88.html</a> <a href="#fnref:39" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:40">"Plotë 32 vjet nga ndeshja e turit parë të Kupës U..E.F.A . Flamurtari 2-0 Partizan-Beograd (VIDEO)". Sep 17, 2019. <a href="https://vloranews.al/sport/plote-32-vjet-nga-ndeshja-e-turit-pare-te-kupes-u-e-f-a-flamurtari-2-0-partizan-beograd-video/" target="_blank">https://vloranews.al/sport/plote-32-vjet-nga-ndeshja-e-turit-pare-te-kupes-u-e-f-a-flamurtari-2-0-partizan-beograd-video/</a> <a href="#fnref:40" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:41">"Alfrd Zijai: "Ishim një brez i artë"". 10 February 2013. <a href="http://telegraf.al/sport/alfrd-zijai-ishim-nje-brez-i-arte/" target="_blank">http://telegraf.al/sport/alfrd-zijai-ishim-nje-brez-i-arte/</a> <a href="#fnref:41" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:42">"Archived copy". UEFA. Archived from the original on 25 June 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100625220350/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season=1987/intro.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20100625220350/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season=1987/intro.html</a> <a href="#fnref:42" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:43">https://telegrafi.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/barca-1-1.jpg [bare URL image file] <a href="https://telegrafi.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/barca-1-1.jpg" target="_blank">https://telegrafi.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/barca-1-1.jpg</a> <a href="#fnref:43" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:44">"Flamurtari europian dhe Shqipëria 1987". <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/flamurtari-europian-dhe-shqiperia-1987/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/flamurtari-europian-dhe-shqiperia-1987/</a> <a href="#fnref:44" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:45">"Historia e Partizanit ne Futboll". 10 February 2019. <a href="https://partizani.net/historia-e-partizanit-ne-futboll/?amp=1" target="_blank">https://partizani.net/historia-e-partizanit-ne-futboll/?amp=1</a> <a href="#fnref:45" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:46">"European Competitions 1968-69". <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec196869.html" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec196869.html</a> <a href="#fnref:46" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:47">"Eurocups". Archived from the original on 15 August 2013. <a href="https://archive.today/20130815151637/http://71.176.213.222/uefa/html/cwc-1971.html" target="_blank">https://archive.today/20130815151637/http://71.176.213.222/uefa/html/cwc-1971.html</a> <a href="#fnref:47" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:48">"Historia e Partizanit ne Futboll". 10 February 2019. <a href="https://partizani.net/historia-e-partizanit-ne-futboll/?amp=1" target="_blank">https://partizani.net/historia-e-partizanit-ne-futboll/?amp=1</a> <a href="#fnref:48" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:49">"Dinamo Tiranë - Austria Wien 1:1 (Cup Winners Cup 1971/1972, 1. Round)". <a href="https://www.worldfootball.net/report/ec-der-pokalsieger-1971-1972-1-runde-dinamo-tirane-austria-wien/" target="_blank">https://www.worldfootball.net/report/ec-der-pokalsieger-1971-1972-1-runde-dinamo-tirane-austria-wien/</a> <a href="#fnref:49" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:50">"Austria Wien - Dinamo Tiranë 1:0 (Cup Winners Cup 1971/1972, 1. Round)". <a href="https://www.worldfootball.net/report/ec-der-pokalsieger-1971-1972-1-runde-austria-wien-dinamo-tirane/" target="_blank">https://www.worldfootball.net/report/ec-der-pokalsieger-1971-1972-1-runde-austria-wien-dinamo-tirane/</a> <a href="#fnref:50" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:51">"Historia e Futbollit Kavajas". <a href="http://www.kavajaonline.com/forumi/topic/3498-historia-e-futbollit-kavajas/" target="_blank">http://www.kavajaonline.com/forumi/topic/3498-historia-e-futbollit-kavajas/</a> <a href="#fnref:51" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:52">"Eurocups". 71.176.213.222. Archived from the original on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2022. <a href="https://archive.today/20130815153309/http://71.176.213.222/uefa/html/cwc-1973.html" target="_blank">https://archive.today/20130815153309/http://71.176.213.222/uefa/html/cwc-1973.html</a> <a href="#fnref:52" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:53">"European Competitions 1980-81". <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec198081.html#cwc" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec198081.html#cwc</a> <a href="#fnref:53" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:54">"European Competitions 1982-83". <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec198283.html" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec198283.html</a> <a href="#fnref:54" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:55">"Aberdeen's road to the famous Gothenburg European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1983". 11 May 2022. <a href="https://www.aberdeenlive.news/sport/aberdeens-road-famous-gothenburg-european-7063804.amp" target="_blank">https://www.aberdeenlive.news/sport/aberdeens-road-famous-gothenburg-european-7063804.amp</a> <a href="#fnref:55" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:56">"Nentori Tiranë - Hammarby IF 2:1 (Cup Winners Cup 1983/1984, 1. Round)". <a href="https://www.worldfootball.net/report/ec-der-pokalsieger-1983-1984-1-runde-kf-tirane-hammarby-if/" target="_blank">https://www.worldfootball.net/report/ec-der-pokalsieger-1983-1984-1-runde-kf-tirane-hammarby-if/</a> <a href="#fnref:56" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:57">Besnik Dizdari (2007). Ballkaniada 1946: Shqipëria – kampione e Ballkanit ne startin e "Luftës së ftohtë" në Evropë. Rozafat. pp. 2–10. ISBN 978-99943-979-0-7. <a href="978-99943-979-0-7" target="_blank">978-99943-979-0-7</a> <a href="#fnref:57" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:58">""Euro 1964" / Greqia refuzoi nga "ligji i luftës", u kualifikua Shqipëria". Oct 30, 2018. <a href="https://www.ekskluzive.al/euro-1964-greqia-refuzoi-nga-ligji-i-luftes-u-kualifikua-shqiperia/" target="_blank">https://www.ekskluzive.al/euro-1964-greqia-refuzoi-nga-ligji-i-luftes-u-kualifikua-shqiperia/</a> <a href="#fnref:58" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:59">"Shqipëria në fazën finale? Nuk është hera e parë!". www.panorama.com.al. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/shqiperia-ne-fazen-finale-nuk-eshte-hera-e-pare/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/shqiperia-ne-fazen-finale-nuk-eshte-hera-e-pare/</a> <a href="#fnref:59" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:60">"1963: Dy fitore 3-0 Greqisë dhe Shqipëria në 16-she të Europës!". www.panorama.com.al. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/1963-dy-fitore-3-0-greqise-dhe-shqiperia-ne-16-she-te-europes/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/1963-dy-fitore-3-0-greqise-dhe-shqiperia-ne-16-she-te-europes/</a> <a href="#fnref:60" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:61">"Besnik Dizdari: E vërteta e pjesëmarrjes së Shqipërisë në Lojërat Olimpike". www.panorama.com.al. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/besnik-dizdari-e-verteta-e-pjesemarrjes-se-shqiperise-ne-lojerat-olimpike/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/besnik-dizdari-e-verteta-e-pjesemarrjes-se-shqiperise-ne-lojerat-olimpike/</a> <a href="#fnref:61" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:62">"Games of the XX. Olympiad - Football Qualifying Tournament". RSSSF. <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1972q.html" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1972q.html</a> <a href="#fnref:62" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:63">"Cikli Dossier/ Mirel Josa, "makthi i të huajve"". sportekspres.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2022. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150324172903/http://sportekspres.com/cikli-dossier-mirel-josa-makthi-i-te-huajve/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20150324172903/http://sportekspres.com/cikli-dossier-mirel-josa-makthi-i-te-huajve/</a> <a href="#fnref:63" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:64">"Albanian Football: Chronological Photo Gallery and Soccer Results in Europe". www.giovanniarmillotta.it. Archived from the original on 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2022-02-06. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220206184555/http://www.giovanniarmillotta.it/albania/calcio/football.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20220206184555/http://www.giovanniarmillotta.it/albania/calcio/football.html</a> <a href="#fnref:64" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:65">"WORLD CUP 1986". www.allworldcup.narod.ru. <a href="http://www.allworldcup.narod.ru/1986/PROTOCOL/QUALIF/UEFA/G1/ALBVSGRE.HTM" target="_blank">http://www.allworldcup.narod.ru/1986/PROTOCOL/QUALIF/UEFA/G1/ALBVSGRE.HTM</a> <a href="#fnref:65" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:66">"SPECIALE/ Giussepe DOSSENA, rrugëtimi i dhimbshëm te SHQIPËRIA, që nuk rezultoi kurrë i kotë". Newsport.al. 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2022-02-28. <a href="https://newsport.al/speciale-giussepe-dossena-rrugetimi-i-dhimbshem-te-shqiperia-qe-nuk-rezultoi-kurre-i-kote/" target="_blank">https://newsport.al/speciale-giussepe-dossena-rrugetimi-i-dhimbshem-te-shqiperia-qe-nuk-rezultoi-kurre-i-kote/</a> <a href="#fnref:66" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:67">"Hans-Peter Briegel do të jetë trajneri i kombëtares shqiptare - (16 Dhjetor 2002)". Dec 16, 2002. <a href="https://tvklan.al/hans-peter-briegel-do-te-jete-trajneri-i-kombetares-shqiptare-16-dhjetor-2002/" target="_blank">https://tvklan.al/hans-peter-briegel-do-te-jete-trajneri-i-kombetares-shqiptare-16-dhjetor-2002/</a> <a href="#fnref:67" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:68">"Flying start for Briegel". UEFA. Mar 29, 2003. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200605095259/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0254-0d7b3a20b7dd-0f66848ad46a-1000--flying-start-for-briegel/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20200605095259/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0254-0d7b3a20b7dd-0f66848ad46a-1000--flying-start-for-briegel/</a> <a href="#fnref:68" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:69">"2003 (March 29) Albania 3-Russia 1 (EC Qualifier).avi". 30 October 2011 – via www.youtube.com. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nxpChYQjAA" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nxpChYQjAA</a> <a href="#fnref:69" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:70">"17 vjet nga fitorja historike e Shqipërisë kundër Greqisë". Bota Sot. <a href="https://www.botasot.info/futboll-sporti/1661269/17-vjet-nga-fitorja-historike-e-shqiperise-kunder-greqise/" target="_blank">https://www.botasot.info/futboll-sporti/1661269/17-vjet-nga-fitorja-historike-e-shqiperise-kunder-greqise/</a> <a href="#fnref:70" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:71">"FOTO+VIDEO/ 4 shtator 2004, kur Shqipëria nënshtronte Greqinë kampione Europe". www.panorama.com.al. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/fotovideo-4-shtator-2004-kur-shqiperia-nenshtronte-greqine-kampione-europe/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/fotovideo-4-shtator-2004-kur-shqiperia-nenshtronte-greqine-kampione-europe/</a> <a href="#fnref:71" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:72">"Kur Brigel mposhtte trajnerët e mëparshëm të Shqipërisë…". www.panorama.com.al. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kur-brigel-mposhtte-trajneret-e-meparshem-te-shqiperise%e2%80%a6/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kur-brigel-mposhtte-trajneret-e-meparshem-te-shqiperise%e2%80%a6/</a> <a href="#fnref:72" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:73">"Albania 3–1 Cyprus". Eurosport.com. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/albania-vs-cyprus/253453" target="_blank">https://www.skysports.com/football/albania-vs-cyprus/253453</a> <a href="#fnref:73" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:74">"Shqipëria mposht Norvegjinë 0-1, shiko golin" [Albania defeats Norway 0-1, watch the goal] (in Albanian). Gazeta Panorama. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/norvegji-shqiperi-luhet-ne-ulleval-te-oslos/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/norvegji-shqiperi-luhet-ne-ulleval-te-oslos/</a> <a href="#fnref:74" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:75">"Kryevepër e kuqezinjve, Shqipëria ngrin vikingët" [Masterpiece of red and blacks, Albania freezes the vikings] (in Albanian). Gazeta Panorama. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/kryeveper-e-kuqezinjve-shqiperia-ngrin-vikinget/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/kryeveper-e-kuqezinjve-shqiperia-ngrin-vikinget/</a> <a href="#fnref:75" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:76">"Shqipëri-Norvegji: 1-1barazim në minutën '87 - Shqiptarja.com". shqiptarja.com. <a href="https://shqiptarja.com/lajm/shqiperi-norvegji-1-1-br-barazim-ne-minuten-39-87" target="_blank">https://shqiptarja.com/lajm/shqiperi-norvegji-1-1-br-barazim-ne-minuten-39-87</a> <a href="#fnref:76" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:77">"Shqipëria e pafat. Fiton Sllovenia" [Albania unlucky. Slovenia wins] (in Albanian). Lajme Shqip. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://www.lajmeshqip.com/sporti/shqiperia-e-pafat-fiton-sllovenia" target="_blank">https://www.lajmeshqip.com/sporti/shqiperia-e-pafat-fiton-sllovenia</a> <a href="#fnref:77" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:78">"Brazil 2014, Islandë-Shqipëria 2-1, shuhen shpresat për kualifikim" [Brazil 2014, Iceland 2–1 Albania, the hopes for qualification are vanished] (in Albanian). Shqiptarja.com. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://shqiptarja.com/lajm/brazil-2014-islande-shqiperia-2-1-br-shuhen-shpresat-per-kualifikim" target="_blank">https://shqiptarja.com/lajm/brazil-2014-islande-shqiperia-2-1-br-shuhen-shpresat-per-kualifikim</a> <a href="#fnref:78" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:79">"Shqipëria mposhtet në shtëpi, kualifikohet Zvicra" [Albania defeated at home, Switzerland qualifies] (in Albanian). Prizren Press. 12 October 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20191019140345/http://prizrenpress.com/sport/shqiperia-mposhtet-ne-shtepi-kualifikohet-zvicra/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20191019140345/http://prizrenpress.com/sport/shqiperia-mposhtet-ne-shtepi-kualifikohet-zvicra/</a> <a href="#fnref:79" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:80">Besnik Dizdari (4 April 2015). ""Revolucioni" i Kombëtares, atdhetaria dhe "pseudoatdhetaria"" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 4 April 2016. <a href="http://www.panorama-sport.com/revolucioni-i-kombetares-atdhetaria-dhe-pseudoatdhetaria/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama-sport.com/revolucioni-i-kombetares-atdhetaria-dhe-pseudoatdhetaria/</a> <a href="#fnref:80" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:81">"Kombëtarja e Kosovës brenda Kombëtares së Shqipërisë" [Kosovo national team inside Albania national team] (in Albanian). Mesazhi. 8 August 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 3 October 2013. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213921/http://www.mesazhi.com/artikuj/kombetarja-e-kosoves-brenda-kombetares-se-shqiperise-" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213921/http://www.mesazhi.com/artikuj/kombetarja-e-kosoves-brenda-kombetares-se-shqiperise-</a> <a href="#fnref:81" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:82">""Bekim" kuqezi në Aveiro, Shqipëria shokon Portugalinë" [Red&black "blessing" in Aveiro, Albania shocks Portugal] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014. <a href="http://www.panorama-sport.com/239815/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama-sport.com/239815/</a> <a href="#fnref:82" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:83">"Disciplinary decision on Serbia-Albania match". UEFA. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7f84151079-67a6a36080e3-1000--disciplinary-decision-on-serbia-albania-match/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7f84151079-67a6a36080e3-1000--disciplinary-decision-on-serbia-albania-match/</a> <a href="#fnref:83" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:84">AFP (24 October 2014). "Albania to appeal UEFA punishment over Serbia". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2014. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155033/http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-albania-to-appeal-uefa-punishment-over-serbia-fracas-2014-10" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155033/http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-albania-to-appeal-uefa-punishment-over-serbia-fracas-2014-10</a> <a href="#fnref:84" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:85">"Serbia to appeal UEFA decision". Goal.com. 24 October 2014. <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/755/europe/2014/10/24/5448671/serbia-to-appeal-uefa-decision" target="_blank">http://www.goal.com/en/news/755/europe/2014/10/24/5448671/serbia-to-appeal-uefa-decision</a> <a href="#fnref:85" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:86">"Decisions upheld for Serbia-Albania match". UEFA. 2 December 2014. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7f87c2874a-ae147fbcc546-1000--decisions-upheld-for-serbia-albania-match/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7f87c2874a-ae147fbcc546-1000--decisions-upheld-for-serbia-albania-match/</a> <a href="#fnref:86" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:87">"The football associations of Albania and Serbia file appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)" (PDF). tas-cas.org. Court of Arbitration for Sport. Retrieved 8 January 2015. <a href="http://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Media_Release_3874_3875__2_.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Media_Release_3874_3875__2_.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:87" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:88">"FOOTBALL: The CAS rejects the appeal filed by the Serbian FA, upholds in part the appeal filed by the Albanian FA: the match Serbia-Albania is deemed to have been forfeited by Serbia (0-3)". Tribunal Arbitral du Sport / Court of Arbitration for Sport. 10 July 2015. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150711073233/http://www.tas-cas.org/en/general-information/news-detail/article/football-the-cas-rejects-the-appeal-filed-by-the-serbian-fa-upholds-in-part-the-appeal-filed-by-the-albanian-fa-the-match-serbia-albania-is-deemed-to-have-been-forfeited-by-serbia-0-3.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20150711073233/http://www.tas-cas.org/en/general-information/news-detail/article/football-the-cas-rejects-the-appeal-filed-by-the-serbian-fa-upholds-in-part-the-appeal-filed-by-the-albanian-fa-the-match-serbia-albania-is-deemed-to-have-been-forfeited-by-serbia-0-3.html</a> <a href="#fnref:88" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:89">"Albania head off Armenia threat". UEFA. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7ff0cb1329-b59407439762-1000--albania-head-off-armenia-threat/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7ff0cb1329-b59407439762-1000--albania-head-off-armenia-threat/</a> <a href="#fnref:89" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:90">"Kaçe free-kick gives Albania win against France". UEFA. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d8002c03378-09e8ae19c995-1000--kace-free-kick-gives-albania-win-against-france/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d8002c03378-09e8ae19c995-1000--kace-free-kick-gives-albania-win-against-france/</a> <a href="#fnref:90" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:91">"Albania win in Armenia to confirm qualification for first major tournament". The Guardian. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2020. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/11/armenia-albania-euro-2016-qualifier-match-report" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/11/armenia-albania-euro-2016-qualifier-match-report</a> <a href="#fnref:91" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:92">"Albania 0-1 Switzerland: Early Schar goal edges out ten-man Albania". VAVEL. Jul 2, 2021. <a href="https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/06/10/657587.html" target="_blank">https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2016/06/10/657587.html</a> <a href="#fnref:92" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:93">FourFourTwo Staff (Jun 22, 2016). "Albania out of Euro 2016 after Portugal draw with Hungary". fourfourtwo.com. <a href="https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/albania-out-euro-2016-after-portugal-draw-hungary" target="_blank">https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/albania-out-euro-2016-after-portugal-draw-hungary</a> <a href="#fnref:93" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:94">"Shqipëria nuk kualifikohet në Katar, por arrinë rezultatin historik në kualifikime". 15 November 2021. <a href="https://albanianpost.com/shqiperia-nuk-kualifikohet-ne-katar-por-arrine-rezultatin-historik-ne-kualifikime/" target="_blank">https://albanianpost.com/shqiperia-nuk-kualifikohet-ne-katar-por-arrine-rezultatin-historik-ne-kualifikime/</a> <a href="#fnref:94" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:95">"Shqipëria fiton ndaj Hungarisë nëpërmjet golit fantastik të Brojës, ëndërron botërorin "Katar 2022"". 5 September 2021. <a href="https://sinjali.com/shqiperia-fiton-ndaj-hungarise-nepermjet-golit-fantastik-te-brojes-enderron-boterorin-katar-2022/" target="_blank">https://sinjali.com/shqiperia-fiton-ndaj-hungarise-nepermjet-golit-fantastik-te-brojes-enderron-boterorin-katar-2022/</a> <a href="#fnref:95" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:96">"Sport - Top Channel". <a href="https://www.supersport.al/zhgenjimi-ne-nations-league-fundi-i-epokes-reja-asllani-tek-interi-pikante-kuqezi-gjate-2022-shit/" target="_blank">https://www.supersport.al/zhgenjimi-ne-nations-league-fundi-i-epokes-reja-asllani-tek-interi-pikante-kuqezi-gjate-2022-shit/</a> <a href="#fnref:96" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:97">"The official website for European football". <a href="https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0275-150c9887cacb-882c686f407f-1000/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0275-150c9887cacb-882c686f407f-1000/</a> <a href="#fnref:97" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:98">"Shqipëria në një grup të "lehtë" për Euro 2024 - Dukagjini". 9 October 2022. <a href="https://www.dukagjini.com/shqiperia-ne-nje-grup-te-lehte-per-euro-2024/" target="_blank">https://www.dukagjini.com/shqiperia-ne-nje-grup-te-lehte-per-euro-2024/</a> <a href="#fnref:98" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:99">"Trajneri i ri i Kombëtares, Sylvinho: Do ta dërgojmë Shqipërinë lart". <a href="https://top-channel.tv/2023/01/09/trajneri-i-ri-i-kombetares-sylvinho-do-ta-dergojme-shqiperine-lart2/" target="_blank">https://top-channel.tv/2023/01/09/trajneri-i-ri-i-kombetares-sylvinho-do-ta-dergojme-shqiperine-lart2/</a> <a href="#fnref:99" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:100">"Shqipëria luan mirë, por humb ndaj Polonisë". 27 March 2023. <a href="https://vesanews.al/shqiperia-luan-mire-por-humb-ndaj-polonise/" target="_blank">https://vesanews.al/shqiperia-luan-mire-por-humb-ndaj-polonise/</a> <a href="#fnref:100" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:101">"Goli fenomenal i Jasir Asanit, UEFA e shpall më të bukurin e raundit të gjashtë". <a href="https://top-channel.tv/2023/09/15/goli-fenomenal-i-jasir-asa1nit-uefa-e-shpall-me-te-bukurin-e-raundit-te-gjashte/" target="_blank">https://top-channel.tv/2023/09/15/goli-fenomenal-i-jasir-asa1nit-uefa-e-shpall-me-te-bukurin-e-raundit-te-gjashte/</a> <a href="#fnref:101" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:102">"NOA Lajme - Agjencia Kombëtare e Lajmeve". <a href="https://noa.al/lajmi/2023/06/2390703.html" target="_blank">https://noa.al/lajmi/2023/06/2390703.html</a> <a href="#fnref:102" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:103">"Bajrami shënon super gol, Shqipëria barazon kundër Çekisë (VIDEO)". <a href="https://kosovapress.com/bajrami-shenon-super-gol-shqiperia-barazon-kunder-cekise-video/" target="_blank">https://kosovapress.com/bajrami-shenon-super-gol-shqiperia-barazon-kunder-cekise-video/</a> <a href="#fnref:103" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:104">"Shqipëria merr një fitore të merituar, rrëmben vendin e parë në grup". 10 September 2023. <a href="https://euronews.al/shqiperia-merr-nje-fitore-te-merituar-rremben-vendin-e-pare-ne-grup/" target="_blank">https://euronews.al/shqiperia-merr-nje-fitore-te-merituar-rremben-vendin-e-pare-ne-grup/</a> <a href="#fnref:104" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:105">"VIDEO/ Jasir Asani "çmend" Evropën, UEFA shpall golin e futbollistit kuq e zi më të bukurin e raundit - Portali i Dibrës". 15 September 2023. <a href="https://nediber.com/video-jasir-asani-cmend-evropen-uefa-shpall-golin-e-futbollistit-kuq-e-zi-me-te-bukurin-e-raundit/" target="_blank">https://nediber.com/video-jasir-asani-cmend-evropen-uefa-shpall-golin-e-futbollistit-kuq-e-zi-me-te-bukurin-e-raundit/</a> <a href="#fnref:105" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:106">"Shqipëria arrin fitore madhështore, mposht Çekinë me rezultat të thellë". 12 October 2023. <a href="https://gazetaolle.com/932live-shqiperia-kalon-ne-epersi-kunder-cekise-me-golin-e-asanit/" target="_blank">https://gazetaolle.com/932live-shqiperia-kalon-ne-epersi-kunder-cekise-me-golin-e-asanit/</a> <a href="#fnref:106" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:107">"The official website for European football". <a href="https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/news/0286-193531eba9a8-763890f6436d-1000--who-has-qualified-for-uefa-euro-2024/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/news/0286-193531eba9a8-763890f6436d-1000--who-has-qualified-for-uefa-euro-2024/</a> <a href="#fnref:107" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:108">"Shqipëria kualifikohet në EURO 2024 - RTI". 18 November 2023. <a href="https://rti.tv/shqiperia-kualifikohet-ne-euro-2024/" target="_blank">https://rti.tv/shqiperia-kualifikohet-ne-euro-2024/</a> <a href="#fnref:108" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:109">"Shqipëria kualifikohet në Euro2024, Duka në lot: Në Gjermani të bëjmë më mirë se në Francë". 17 November 2023. <a href="https://reporteri.net/sport/shqiperia-kualifikohet-ne-euro2024-duka-ne-lot-ne-gjermani-te-bejme-me-mire-se-ne-france/" target="_blank">https://reporteri.net/sport/shqiperia-kualifikohet-ne-euro2024-duka-ne-lot-ne-gjermani-te-bejme-me-mire-se-ne-france/</a> <a href="#fnref:109" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:110">"Shqipëria mbyll ciklin kualifikues si lidere e grupit, barazon ndaj Ishujve Faroe". <a href="https://zeri.info/sport/514968/shqiperia-mbyll-ciklin-kualifikues-si-lidere-e-grupit-barazon-ndaj-ishujve-faroe" target="_blank">https://zeri.info/sport/514968/shqiperia-mbyll-ciklin-kualifikues-si-lidere-e-grupit-barazon-ndaj-ishujve-faroe</a> <a href="#fnref:110" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:111">"Plot 8 ndeshje pa humbje, Sylvinho barazon rekordin që mbahej prej 13 vitesh". 27 November 2023. <a href="https://gazetashqiptare.al/2023/11/27/plot-8-ndeshje-pa-humbje-sylvinho-barazon-rekordin-qe-mbahej-prej-13-vitesh/" target="_blank">https://gazetashqiptare.al/2023/11/27/plot-8-ndeshje-pa-humbje-sylvinho-barazon-rekordin-qe-mbahej-prej-13-vitesh/</a> <a href="#fnref:111" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:112">"Albania in the second pot, Italy and Switzerland in the fourth". Koha.net. 22 November 2023. <a href="https://www.koha.net/en/sports/400010/Albania-in-the-second-pot%2C-Italy-and-Switzerland-in-the-fourth/" target="_blank">https://www.koha.net/en/sports/400010/Albania-in-the-second-pot%2C-Italy-and-Switzerland-in-the-fourth/</a> <a href="#fnref:112" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:113">"UEFA Documents". <a href="https://documents.uefa.com/r/Regulations-of-the-UEFA-European-Football-Championship-2022-24/Article-2-Definitions-Online" target="_blank">https://documents.uefa.com/r/Regulations-of-the-UEFA-European-Football-Championship-2022-24/Article-2-Definitions-Online</a> <a href="#fnref:113" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:114">"Rothmans Tournament 2000 match reports". Retrieved 19 June 2015. <a href="http://eu-football.info/_tournament.php?id=MIT-8" target="_blank">http://eu-football.info/_tournament.php?id=MIT-8</a> <a href="#fnref:114" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:115">Balkan Youth Championship 1968–1981 RSSSF <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/balkan-u23.html" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/balkan-u23.html</a> <a href="#fnref:115" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:116">"Ndahet nga jeta Shyqyri Rreli, ish trajneri i Kombëtares". <a href="https://top-channel.tv/2019/12/31/ndahet-nga-jeta-shyqyri-rreli-ish-trajneri-i-kombetares/" target="_blank">https://top-channel.tv/2019/12/31/ndahet-nga-jeta-shyqyri-rreli-ish-trajneri-i-kombetares/</a> <a href="#fnref:116" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:117">"Albania first time qualifies in a UEFA final tournament (1982)". <a href="http://www.giovanniarmillotta.it/albania/calcio/football109.html" target="_blank">http://www.giovanniarmillotta.it/albania/calcio/football109.html</a> <a href="#fnref:117" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:118">"European U-18 Championship 1982". <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/ec-u18-82.html" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/ec-u18-82.html</a> <a href="#fnref:118" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:119">"European U-18 Championship 1983". <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/ec-u18-83.html" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/ec-u18-83.html</a> <a href="#fnref:119" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:120">https://archive.today/20130105030213/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under17/history/season=1994/intro.html [bare URL] <a href="https://archive.today/20130105030213/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under17/history/season=1994/intro.html" target="_blank">https://archive.today/20130105030213/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under17/history/season=1994/intro.html</a> <a href="#fnref:120" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:121">"Kampionati Europian U17 do të mbahet në Tiranë, Rama: Gjëra të paimagjinueshme vite më parë". <a href="https://shqiptarja.com/lajm/kampionati-europian-u17-do-te-mbahet-ne-tirane-rama-gjera-te-paimagjinueshme-vite-me-pare" target="_blank">https://shqiptarja.com/lajm/kampionati-europian-u17-do-te-mbahet-ne-tirane-rama-gjera-te-paimagjinueshme-vite-me-pare</a> <a href="#fnref:121" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:122">"Naim Kryeziu, le premier champion kosovar". 8 September 2021. <a href="https://footballski.fr/naim-kryeziu-premier-champion-kosovar" target="_blank">https://footballski.fr/naim-kryeziu-premier-champion-kosovar</a> <a href="#fnref:122" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:123">"Campionato Roma 1941/42, Roma campione d'Italia". <a href="https://www.asrtalenti.altervista.org/index.php?a=campionati/campionato4142.htm" target="_blank">https://www.asrtalenti.altervista.org/index.php?a=campionati/campionato4142.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:123" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:124">"Kriezu". Archived from the original on 2007-11-02. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071102055842/http://www.asromaultras.it/kriezu.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20071102055842/http://www.asromaultras.it/kriezu.html</a> <a href="#fnref:124" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:125">"Albumet e Riza Lushtës…". <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/albumet-e-riza-lushtes/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/albumet-e-riza-lushtes/</a> <a href="#fnref:125" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:126">"Riza Lushta: 75 vjet më parë i jepte Kupën Juventusit". <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/riza-lushta-75-vjet-me-pare-i-jepte-kupen-juventusit/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/riza-lushta-75-vjet-me-pare-i-jepte-kupen-juventusit/</a> <a href="#fnref:126" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:127">"Italy - Coppa Italia History". <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/italcuphistfull.html" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/italcuphistfull.html</a> <a href="#fnref:127" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:128">"Loro Boriçi, pergjithmone ne histori". 2 February 2017. <a href="http://www.mondofutbol.com/borici-pergjithmone-ne-histori/" target="_blank">http://www.mondofutbol.com/borici-pergjithmone-ne-histori/</a> <a href="#fnref:128" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:129">"Balkan Cup 1970-79". <a href="https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/balkanclub70s.html" target="_blank">https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/balkanclub70s.html</a> <a href="#fnref:129" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:130">"Pano i Kupave të Europës". <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/pano-i-kupave-te-europes/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/pano-i-kupave-te-europes/</a> <a href="#fnref:130" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:131">"Panajot Pano, perëndia mistike e Ballkanit". 17 March 2017. <a href="https://www.vizionplus.tv/panajot-pano-perendia-mistike-e-ballkanit/" target="_blank">https://www.vizionplus.tv/panajot-pano-perendia-mistike-e-ballkanit/</a> <a href="#fnref:131" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:132">"Albania's 'Little Puskás'". 20 January 2011. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01ed-0f84628e2364-6d0ea26f68a5-1000--albania-s-little-puskas/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01ed-0f84628e2364-6d0ea26f68a5-1000--albania-s-little-puskas/</a> <a href="#fnref:132" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:133">"Albania's 'Little Puskás'". 20 January 2011. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01ed-0f84628e2364-6d0ea26f68a5-1000--albania-s-little-puskas/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01ed-0f84628e2364-6d0ea26f68a5-1000--albania-s-little-puskas/</a> <a href="#fnref:133" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:134">"Albania pays respects to favourite son". 30 March 2010. <a href="https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01e3-0f85e78f5bf3-b60f21704e8d-1000--albania-pays-respects-to-favourite-son/" target="_blank">https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01e3-0f85e78f5bf3-b60f21704e8d-1000--albania-pays-respects-to-favourite-son/</a> <a href="#fnref:134" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:135">"Αεροπορικά εισιτήρια | airtickets προσφορές με 5€". Archived from the original on 2012-03-04. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120304013715/http://en.sae.gr/?id=18621&tag=Day%20of%20National%20Mourning%20in%20Honour%20of%20the%20Greek%20Albanian%20Footballer%20Panajot%20Pano" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20120304013715/http://en.sae.gr/?id=18621&tag=Day%20of%20National%20Mourning%20in%20Honour%20of%20the%20Greek%20Albanian%20Footballer%20Panajot%20Pano</a> <a href="#fnref:135" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:136">"Lazio beat rivals Roma in cup final". BBC Sport. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/22676789" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/22676789</a> <a href="#fnref:136" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:137">"Photo". www.sofascore.com. Retrieved February 28, 2022. <a href="https://www.sofascore.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Lorik_Cana-1-e1492683528765.jpg" target="_blank">https://www.sofascore.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Lorik_Cana-1-e1492683528765.jpg</a> <a href="#fnref:137" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:138">"Coppa: Napoli beat Juventus on penalties". Football Italia. 17 June 2020. <a href="https://www.football-italia.net/154624/coppa-napoli-beat-juventus-penalties" target="_blank">https://www.football-italia.net/154624/coppa-napoli-beat-juventus-penalties</a> <a href="#fnref:138" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:139">""Tifozat Kuq e Zi", ja si lindi grupimi i famshëm i Kombëtares" [“Red and Black Fans”, here's how the famous national team group born] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-ja-si-lindi-grupimi-i-famshem-i-kombetares/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-ja-si-lindi-grupimi-i-famshem-i-kombetares/</a> <a href="#fnref:139" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:140">"16 vjet krenari dhe kontribut për kombëtaren tonë, ditë historike për "Tifozat Kuq e Zi"" [16 years pride and contribution for our national team, historical day for "Tifozat Kuq e Zi"] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/16-vjet-krenari-dhe-kontribut-per-kombetaren-tone-dite-historike-per-tifozat-kuq-e-zi/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/16-vjet-krenari-dhe-kontribut-per-kombetaren-tone-dite-historike-per-tifozat-kuq-e-zi/</a> <a href="#fnref:140" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:141">""Tifozat Kuq e Zi", ja si lindi grupimi i famshëm i Kombëtares" [“Red and Black Fans”, here's how the famous national team group born] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-ja-si-lindi-grupimi-i-famshem-i-kombetares/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-ja-si-lindi-grupimi-i-famshem-i-kombetares/</a> <a href="#fnref:141" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:142">Ermal Kuka (21 January 2014). "Tifozët, bojkot ndaj Kosovës: "Një komb, një kombëtare!"" [The fans, boycott towards Kosovo: “One nation, one national team!”] (in Albanian). Gazeta Shqip. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://www.gazeta-shqip.com/2014/01/21/tifozet-bojkot-ndaj-kosoves-nje-komb-nje-kombetare/" target="_blank">https://www.gazeta-shqip.com/2014/01/21/tifozet-bojkot-ndaj-kosoves-nje-komb-nje-kombetare/</a> <a href="#fnref:142" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:143">Alfred Lleshi (20 August 2016). ""Tifozat Kuqezi": Një komb, na duhet një kombëtare! Zotohemi të ndodhë sa më shpejt!" [“Red and Black fans”: One nation, we need one national team! We pledge to happen as soon as possible!] (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://telesport.al/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-nje-komb-nje-kombetare-zotohemi-te-ndodhe-sa-shpejt" target="_blank">https://telesport.al/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-nje-komb-nje-kombetare-zotohemi-te-ndodhe-sa-shpejt</a> <a href="#fnref:143" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:144">""Tifozat Kuq e Zi", ja si lindi grupimi i famshëm i Kombëtares" [“Red and Black Fans”, here's how the famous national team group born] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-ja-si-lindi-grupimi-i-famshem-i-kombetares/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-ja-si-lindi-grupimi-i-famshem-i-kombetares/</a> <a href="#fnref:144" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:145">"Tifozët Kuq e Zi sërish kundër Dukës (Foto)" [Red and black fans again against Duka (Photo)] (in Albanian). Botapress.info. 31 March 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001914/http://botapress.info/tifozet-kuq-e-zi-serish-kunder-dukes-foto/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001914/http://botapress.info/tifozet-kuq-e-zi-serish-kunder-dukes-foto/</a> <a href="#fnref:145" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:146">"Tifozët 'Kuq e Zi' fyejnë rëndë Armand Dukën" [Red and black fans heavily insult Armand Duka] (in Albanian). Javanews.al. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://www.javanews.al/tifozet-kuq-e-zi-fyejne-rende-armand-duken/" target="_blank">https://www.javanews.al/tifozet-kuq-e-zi-fyejne-rende-armand-duken/</a> <a href="#fnref:146" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:147">"Ekskluzive / Armand Duka: Tifozat kuq e zi, "fushate" kunder meje" [Exclusive/ Armand Duka: Red&black fans, a "campaign" against me] (in Albanian). Albania Soccer. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="http://www.albaniasoccer.com/lajme/shqiperi/kombetarja/5579-ekskluzive--armand-duka-tifozat-kuq-e-zi-qfushateq-kunder-meje.html" target="_blank">http://www.albaniasoccer.com/lajme/shqiperi/kombetarja/5579-ekskluzive--armand-duka-tifozat-kuq-e-zi-qfushateq-kunder-meje.html</a> <a href="#fnref:147" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:148">"Tifozët krenarë për De Biasin…ovacione kundër Dukës (Video)" [The fans proud for De Biasi…ovations against Duka (Video)] (in Albanian). Botasot.info. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://www.botasot.info/sporti/465418/tifozet-krenare-per-de-biasin-ovacione-kunder-dukes-video/" target="_blank">https://www.botasot.info/sporti/465418/tifozet-krenare-per-de-biasin-ovacione-kunder-dukes-video/</a> <a href="#fnref:148" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:149">"Hitzfeld: Tifozët shqiptarë janë fantastikë" [Hitzfeld: Albanian fans are fantastic] (in Albanian). Bota Sot. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://www.botasot.info/sport-plus/186160/hitzfeld-tifozet-shqiptare-jane-fantastike/" target="_blank">https://www.botasot.info/sport-plus/186160/hitzfeld-tifozet-shqiptare-jane-fantastike/</a> <a href="#fnref:149" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:150">"Slloveni-Shqipëri, mbi 2000 tifozë shqiptarë në Lubjanë" [Slovenia-Albania, over 2,000 Albanian fans in Ljubljana] (in Albanian). Sport.albeu.com. 28 August 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001911/http://sport.albeu.com/kombetarja/slloveni-shqiperi-mbi-2000-tifoze-shqiptare-ne-lubjane/123142/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001911/http://sport.albeu.com/kombetarja/slloveni-shqiperi-mbi-2000-tifoze-shqiptare-ne-lubjane/123142/</a> <a href="#fnref:150" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:151">"Norvegji-Shqipëri, 3 mijë tifozë kuqezi në Oslo" [Norway-Albania, 3 thousand red&black fans in Oslo] (in Albanian). Portalb.mk. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="https://portalb.mk/76932-norvegji-shqiperi-3-mije-tifoze-kuqezi-ne-oslo/" target="_blank">https://portalb.mk/76932-norvegji-shqiperi-3-mije-tifoze-kuqezi-ne-oslo/</a> <a href="#fnref:151" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:152">Fation Shehu (24 March 2013). "Oslo kuqezi, De Biazi: Ja si i "mashtruam" norvegjezët…" [Oslo red&black, De Biasi: Here's how we “deceived” the Norwegians…] (in Albanian). Oslo: Panorama Sport. Retrieved 19 October 2019. <a href="http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/oslo-kuqezi-de-biazi-ja-si-i-mashtruam-norvegjezet/" target="_blank">http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/oslo-kuqezi-de-biazi-ja-si-i-mashtruam-norvegjezet/</a> <a href="#fnref:152" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:153">"Who do Albanian soccer fans root for? Barometer reveals the country's teams of choice". 16 December 2022. <a href="https://euronews.al/en/who-do-albanian-soccer-fans-root-for-barometer-reveals-the-countrys-most-beloved-teams/" target="_blank">https://euronews.al/en/who-do-albanian-soccer-fans-root-for-barometer-reveals-the-countrys-most-beloved-teams/</a> <a href="#fnref:153" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Football in Albania open-in-new

Football in Albania