Wikipedia

Albania national under-21 football team

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

Albania Under-21
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Kuqezinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shpresat e Shqipërisë (Albania's Hopes)
AssociationFederata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachAlban Bushi
CaptainMedon Berisha
Most capsShaqir Tafa (24)
Top scorerOdise Roshi (11)
Home stadiumElbasan Arena
Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA codeALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
First international
 Yugoslavia 1–0 Albania 
(Thessaloniki, Greece; 25 June 1976)[1]
Biggest win
 Albania 7–1 Romania 
(Tirana, Albania; April 12, 1978)[2]
Biggest defeat
 Germany 8–0 Albania 
(Cologne, Germany; March 23, 2001)
UEFA U-21 Championship
Appearances1 (first in 1984)
Best resultQuarter-finals, 1984
Medal record
Albania national under-21 football team
Medal record
U-21 Balkan Youth Championship
Gold medal – first place 1976–1978 Team
Gold medal – first place 1981 Team

Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, the Albanian under-21 team was formed.

History

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Balkan Youth Championship

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Main article: Balkan Youth Championship

Albania Under-21 participated in the Balkan Youth Championship as a succeder[clarification needed] of Under-23 team, in the 1976–78 and 1981 competitions, winning both with finals against Romania and Bulgaria. 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.[3]

1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship

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Main article: 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship

In 1978 a Competition for the European Under-21 teams was created but the Albania Under-21s didn't participated in first 3 editions and debuted in the competition in the 1984s Championship where they managed to qualify for the first and only time in their history although they were competing for the first time in such tournament. The historic event was the first time any Albanian squad qualified for a Europe or World Championship, and only the fifth time any Albanian squad qualified for the major championships. To this day the team that qualified for that competition are still regarded as the most successful team in Albanian football history. In the qualifying stage they were drawn in a very tough group which included the West Germany, Turkey and Austria. Albania U21 managed to qualify without losing a single game winning both home-away versus Austria (1–2 away & 3–0 home) & Turkey (both 1–0) and managing two very good draws against one of the biggest and best footballing nations, West Germany (both 1–1), heading the group with 10 points, 1 above West Germany. Albania played the quarter finals against Italy, against which it lost twice 0–1 both home and away as Italy advanced to the semifinals losing against England, the eventual champions.

1986–1994

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

1996–2002

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

2004–2007

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

2009–2013

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In the qualifiers of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania was fourth out of 6 teams in the final ranking, leaving behind the Faroe Islands and Azerbaijan, but trailing behind Italy, Croatia and Greece. In the qualifiers of the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania left again behind Azerbaijan but trailed Scotland, Belarus, and Austria in the final rankings. In the qualifiers of the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania came last trailing behind Russia, Portugal, Poland, and Moldova. However, as a consolation for the first time an Albanian footballer, Armando Sadiku was the top goalscorer of the group. Albania drew in Russia against the famous hosts during that tournament, a noticeable fact. Albania were also able to draw against Portugal in Durrës with 2–2 during this qualifying. Albania suffered close loses against Poland in Grudziądz with 4–3 and to Russia with 0–1 in Durrës respectively.

2015–2019

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In the qualification in Group 4 Albania would finish in last place. They were able to beat Hungary with 0–2 away from home.[4] Albania would also beat notable Austria with 1–3 away from home in the Liebenauer Stadium in Graz.[5] As a fact Albanian won for the first time in their history more matches away than at home in an Under-21 qualification. In the following 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 4. Albania finished fourth leaving Hungary and Liechtenstein but trailing behind Greece, Israel and eventual Group winners Portugal. securing 12 points in the progress. Albania were able to win three matches in this qualifying. They beat Liechtenstein with 2-0 and away from home with the same result. As well as beating Hungary in Elbasan with 2–1 in fact.[6] They drew three times once against Israel in Elbasan with 1-1 and away to Hungary with 2-2 and in the derby at home against Greece with 0:0.[7]

Competitive record

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UEFA European Under-23 Championship

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

Main article: Albania national under-23 football team § Competitive record
UEFA European Under-21 Championship record UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification record Manager(s)
Year Round Position Pld W D * L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1978 did not enter did not enter
  1980 did not enter did not enter
  1982 did not enter did not enter
  1984 Quarter Final 6th of 8 2 0 0 2 0 2 6 4 2 0 9 3 Rreli & Rragami
  1986 did not qualify 4 1 0 3 3 7
  1988 did not qualify 6 0 2 4 4 10
  1990 did not qualify 6 0 1 5 1 8
  1992 did not qualify 7 1 2 4 3 13
  1994 did not qualify 8 1 2 5 5 18
  1996 did not enter did not enter
  1998 did not qualify 8 1 1 6 6 19
  2000 did not qualify 10 1 4 5 8 21
  2002 did not qualify 8 1 1 6 3 19
  2004 did not qualify 8 3 1 4 10 10
  2006 did not qualify 12 2 3 7 9 27 Bushati
  2007 did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 3 Bushati
  2009 did not qualify 10 3 3 4 10 13 Bushati
  2011 did not qualify 8 1 1 6 11 20 Bushati
  2013 did not qualify 8 1 2 5 11 18 Gega
  2015 did not qualify 8 2 0 6 7 15 Gega
  2017 did not qualify 10 3 3 4 11 20 Jupi
  2019 did not qualify 10 1 4 5 9 17 Bushi
    2021 did not qualify 10 4 2 4 16 21 Bushi
    2023 did not qualify 10 3 1 6 9 17 Bushi
  2025 did not qualify 10 5 1 4 12 17 Bushi
Total 2 0 0 2 0 2 169 38 37 94 157 316

Note: The year of the tournament represents the year in which it ends.

Fixtures and results

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16 November 2022 (2022-11-16) Friendly San Marino   0–3   Albania Serravalle
18:00 Report Avdiu   21'
Pajaziti   36'
Smajli   39'		 Stadium: Olympic Stadium
20 November 2022 (2022-11-20) Friendly Montenegro   4–2   Albania Podgorica
13:00 Vukotić   11'
Bajović   49', 65'
Dašić   76'		 Report Pajaziti   25'
Dragaj   50'		 Stadium: Gradski Stadium
23 March 2023 (2023-03-23) Friendly Azerbaijan   1–2   Albania Antalya
15:00 Cəfərov   46' Report S. Shpendi   43'
Pajaziti   51'		 Stadium: Antalya Stadium
27 March 2023 (2023-03-27) Friendly Poland   2–0   Albania Antalya
15:00 Włodarczyk   11', 81' Report Stadium: Antalya Stadium
20 June 2023 (2023-06-20) Friendly Albania   3–1   Bulgaria Elbasan
18:30 S. Shpendi   9'
Kurtulan   13'
Berisha   50'		 Report Stoyanov   23' Stadium: Elbasan Arena
8 September 2023 (2023-09-08) 2025 UEFA Q Armenia   1–2   Albania Abovyan
17:00 Tarakhchyan   86' Report S. Shpendi   28'
Rexhepi   37'		 Stadium: Abovyan City Stadium
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Radoslav Gidzhenov (Bulgaria)
12 September 2023 (2023-09-12) 2025 UEFA Q Albania   3–2   Romania Elbasan
18:30 C. Shpendi   63'
Berisha   71'
Pajaziti   88'		 Report Grameni   47'
Borza   58'		 Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Attendance: 713
Referee: Bulat Saryev (Kazakhstan)
13 October 2023 (2023-10-13) 2025 UEFA Q Finland   4–1   Albania Turku
17:00 Liimatta   4', 6', 48'
Ylitolva   90+6'		 Report Pajaziti   80' Stadium: Veritas Stadion
Attendance: 2,247
Referee: Maria Sole Caputi (Italy)
17 October 2023 (2023-10-17) 2025 UEFA Q Albania   2–0   Montenegro Rrogozhinë
14:30 Berisha   27' (pen.)
S. Shpendi   73'		 Report Stadium: Arena Egnatia
Attendance: 512
Referee: Jarred Gavan Gillett (Australia)
17 November 2023 (2023-11-17) 2025 UEFA Q Romania   5–0   Albania Giulești
19:30 Munteanu   7' (pen.)
M. Ilie   15'
R. Ilie   37'
Grameni   55'
Danciu   86'		 Report Stadium: Stadionul Rapid-Giulești
Attendance: 2,234
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele (Malta)
22 March 2024 (2024-03-22) 2025 UEFA Q Albania   0–0   Finland Tiranë
17:00 Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Referee: Michal Očenáš (Slovakia)
26 March 2024 (2024-03-26) 2025 UEFA Q Albania   1–3    Switzerland Tiranë
17:00 Shpendi   90+3' Report Surdez   28'
Sanches   59'
Keller   76'		 Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Referee: Adam Ladebäck (Sweden)
7 June 2024 (2024-06-07) 2025 UEFA Q Montenegro   1–0   Albania Podgorica
20:00 Franeta   90+2' Report Stadium: Podgorica City Stadium
Referee: Jonathan Lardot (Belgium)
11 June 2024 (2024-06-11) Friendly Albania   4–0   Liechtenstein U23 Durrës
19:00 Pajaziti   37' (pen.)
Rashica   42'
Maksuti   52'
Kurtulan   90+2' (pen.)		 Report Stadium: Niko Dovana Stadium
Referee: Florjan Lata (Albania)
6 September 2024 (2024-09-06) 2025 UEFA Q Switzerland   1–2   Albania Lausanne
19:30 Surdez   16' Report Pajaziti   18', 69' Stadium: Stade de la Tuilière
Referee: Atilla Karaoğlan (Turkey)
15 October 2024 (2024-10-15) 2025 UEFA Q Albania   1–0   Armenia Tiranë
Aventisian   57' (o.g.) Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Referee: Kyriakos Athanasiou (Cyprus)
15 November 2024 (2024-11-15) Friendly Albania   1–1   Moldova Vorë
Rashica   10' (pen.) Report Costin   79' Stadium: Vora Stadium
18 November 2024 (2024-11-18) Friendly Albania   4–0   Moldova Vorë
Rashica   16'
Ismaili   54'
Rama   87'
Daka   90+3'		 Report Stadium: Vora Stadium

Players

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Current squad

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  • The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Moldova on 15 & 18 November 2024.[8]
  • All caps and goals as of 18 November 2024 after match against Moldova .
  • Players in bold have been called up or have played at least one full international match with national senior team.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Anxhelo Sina (2004-01-07) 7 January 2004 (age 20) 3 0   Rio Ave
1GK Endri Dema (2004-04-17) 17 April 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Erzeni
1GK Thomas Brahja (2005-03-26) 26 March 2005 (age 19) 0 0   Matera
2DF Ermis Selimaj (2004-05-25) 25 May 2004 (age 20) 8 0   PAOK B
2DF Elton Fikaj (2005-10-18) 18 October 2005 (age 19) 4 0   Panathinaikos
2DF Erdin Ismaili (2005-06-10) 10 June 2005 (age 19) 2 1   Basel U21
2DF Mateo Çipi (2004-07-08) 8 July 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Triglav
2DF Arlind Kurti (2005-01-24) 24 January 2005 (age 19) 2 0   Laçi
2DF Erion Aliji (2005-12-10) 10 December 2005 (age 19) 2 0   Horn
2DF Klevis Haxhari (2005-05-01) 1 May 2005 (age 19) 1 0   New York City II
2DF Maldini Kacurri (2005-10-04) 4 October 2005 (age 19) 1 0   Arsenal U21
3MF Dion Ajvazi (2004-02-10) 10 February 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Hertha Berlin II
3MF Besar Gudjufi (2004-05-29) 29 May 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Shkupi
3MF Gjergji Kote (2004-08-20) 20 August 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Partizani
3MF Gent Elezaj (2005-04-11) 11 April 2005 (age 19) 2 0   Hammarby TFF
3MF Ledjo Tresa (2005-07-25) 25 July 2005 (age 19) 2 0   Laçi
3MF Hajrulla Tola (2004-07-01) 1 July 2004 (age 20) 1 0   Tirana
4FW Ermir Rashica (2004-03-24) 24 March 2004 (age 20) 9 3   Skënderbeu
4FW Kevin Dodaj (2005-09-03) 3 September 2005 (age 19) 3 0   Vllaznia
4FW Erald Maksuti (2004-05-10) 10 May 2004 (age 20) 2 1   Apolonia
4FW Dario Daka (2004-01-24) 24 January 2004 (age 20) 2 1   Lecce
4FW Elmedin Rama (2005-03-25) 25 March 2005 (age 19) 2 1   Slavia Prague B
4FW Amin Tahiri (2005-01-11) 11 January 2005 (age 19) 2 0   Feralpisalò

Recent call-ups

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The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Simon Simoni (2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 20) 11 0   FC Ingolstadt 04 v.   Armenia, 15 October 2024A
GK Klidman Lilo (2003-01-31) 31 January 2003 (age 21) 9 0   Panathinaikos v.   Armenia, 15 October 2024
GK Arbër Jata (2004-12-03) 3 December 2004 (age 20) 0 0   Vora v.   Armenia, 15 October 2024
GK Giulio Veliaj (2005-01-01) 1 January 2005 (age 19) 0 0   Cesena v.    Switzerland, 6 September 2024
GK Renato Beqaj (2004-06-22) 22 June 2004 (age 20) 0 0   Bylisi v.   Montenegro, 7 June 2024
DF Marçelino Preka (2003-08-02) 2 August 2003 (age 21) 6 0   Partizani v.   Armenia, 15 October 2024
DF Paulo Buxhelaj (2003-05-01) 1 May 2003 (age 21) 13 0   Partizani v.    Switzerland, 6 September 2024
DF Agan Mjaki (2003-03-10) 10 March 2003 (age 21) 8 0   Laçi v.   Liechtenstein, 11 June 2024
DF Brayan Boci (2003-07-24) 24 July 2003 (age 21) 1 0   Feralpisalò v.   Romania, 17 November 2023
MF Ermal Meta (2005-06-20) 20 June 2005 (age 19) 1 0   Tirana v.   Moldova, 15 November 2024INJ
MF Leandro Frroku (2003-09-03) 3 September 2003 (age 21) 4 0   Panathinaikos B v.   Armenia, 15 October 2024
MF Feta Fetai (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 (age 19) 4 0   Lokomotiva v.   Armenia, 15 October 2024A
MF Dejvid Janaqi (2003-07-21) 21 July 2003 (age 21) 1 0   Skënderbeu v.   Armenia, 15 October 2024
MF Klevis Kasa (2003-08-08) 8 August 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Elbasani v.   Armenia, 15 October 2024
MF Rejan Alivoda (2003-06-05) 5 June 2003 (age 21) 5 0   Kalba v.    Switzerland, 6 September 2024
MF Klevi Qefalija (2003-12-12) 12 December 2003 (age 21) 5 0   Dinamo City v.   Liechtenstein, 11 June 2024
MF Behar Ismaili (2005-04-26) 26 April 2005 (age 19) 9 0   Anderlecht II v.   Montenegro, 7 June 2024
MF Medon Berisha (2003-10-21) 21 October 2003 (age 21) 12 3   Lecce v.    Switzerland, 26 March 2024INJ
MF Elion Jashari (2005-08-09) 9 August 2005 (age 19) 0 0   Basel U21 v.    Switzerland, 26 March 2024
MF Eniss Shabani (2003-05-29) 29 May 2003 (age 21) 2 0   Mainz 05 II v.   Romania, 17 November 2023
FW Arlind Rexhepi (2003-07-28) 28 July 2003 (age 21) 10 1   Waldhof Mannheim v.   Armenia, 15 October 2024
FW Cristian Shpendi (2003-05-19) 19 May 2003 (age 21) 8 1   Cesena v.   Armenia, 15 October 2024
FW Rrok Toma (2004-02-27) 27 February 2004 (age 20) 1 0   Teuta v.   Armenia, 15 October 2024
FW Stiven Shpendi (2003-05-19) 19 May 2003 (age 21) 14 5   Carrarese v.    Switzerland, 6 September 2024
Notes
  • A = Was called up from national senior squad.
  • INJ = The player is not part of the current squad due to injury.

Coaching staff

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Current coaching staff:[9]

Position Name
Head coach   Alban Bushi
Assistant coach   Endri Zjarri
Goalkeeping coach   Erion Meta
Athletic coach   Mark Dodaj
Team manager   Denis Lilo
Video analyst   Xhoen Tugu
Team doctor   Mehmet Buzmerxhani
Physiotherapist   Gledi Rexha
Physiotherapist   Edison Koçi
Base materials   Lusjos Sina

Balkan Youth Championship

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

Honours

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

See also

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

References

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  1. ^ Balkan Youth Championship 1976 RSSSF
  2. ^ Second leg of the Balkan Youth Championship final RSSSF
  3. ^ Balkan Youth Championship 1968–1981 RSSSF
  4. ^ "Hungary-Albania | Under-21 2014/15".
  5. ^ "Dämpfer für Österreichs U21 - 1:3 daheim gegen Albanien".
  6. ^ "Albania-Hungary | Under-21 2016/17".
  7. ^ "Albania-Greece | Under-21 2016/17".
  8. ^ "Kombëtarja U-21 luan dy ndeshje miqësore me Moldavinë, trajneri Bushi publikon listën" (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association. 12 November 2024.
  9. ^ Kombëtarja U-21 (Albania national under-21 team) FSHF.org
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