The 26-member squad for Albania set to compete in Euro 2024 Germany has been finalised on 8 May 2024. Managed by former Brazilian star Sylvinho, the team is participating in their second European Championship after reaching the group stage in 2016. Albania have a tough group to handle, drawn with joint-record winners Spain, Croatia and holders Italy in UEFA Euro 2024 Group B. The side will aim to avoid finishing at the bottom and wish for a miracle to take them through.
History
The only other appearance for Albania in the Euros came in 2016 hosted by France. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha and full-back Elseid Hysaj are the remaining members of that team which finished third behind France and Switzerland. The Red and Blacks lost their games against these sides but picked up a historical win against Romania. Armando Sadiku grabbed the all-important winner in the 1-0 victory becoming their first goal-scorer in the tournament history.
Qualification to Euro 2024
In a competitive qualifying group with Euro regulars Czech Republic and Poland, Albania managed to top it with a better goal difference after points became level with the former. As a case, Sylvinho’s team entered their second Euros in history directly. The side lost just one game in that period. Albania’s form dropped a bit after the qualifiers with back-to-back losses to Chile and Sweden in March friendlies although two straight wins over Lichtenstein and Azerbaijan this month have picked up pace again.
Albania squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Empoli), Elhan Kastrati (Cittadella), Thomas Strakosha (Brentford)
Defenders: Iván Balliu (Rayo Vallecano), Berat Djimsiti (Atalanta), Mario Mitaj (Lokomotiv Moscow), Elseid Hysaj (Lazio), Ardian Ismajli (Empoli), Luka Lochoshvili (Cremonese), Giorgi Gvelesiani (Persepolis), Jemal Tabidze (Panetolikos), Marash Kumbulla (Sassuolo), Naser Aliji (Voluntari)
Midfielders: Klaus Gjasula (Darmstadt 98), Nedim Bajrami (Sassuolo), Qazim Laçi (Sparta Prague), Medon Berisha (Lecce), Ernest Muçi (Beşiktaş), Ylber Ramadani (Lecce), Kristjan Asllani (Inter Milan), Amir Abrashi (Grasshoppers), Giorgi Tsitaishvili (Dinamo Batumi)
Forwards: Rey Manaj (Sivasspor), Jasir Asani (Gwangju), Armando Broja (Fulham, on loan from Chelsea), Taulant Seferi (Baniyas), Mirlind Daku (Rubin Kazan), Arbër Hoxha (Dinamo Zagreb)
Captain: Berat Djimsiti
Manager: Sylvinho
Formation: How will the Albania Lineup at Euro?
Albania are hoping the centre-back pair of Ardian Ismajli and captain Berat Djimsiti, Europa League winner with Atalanta, keep their solidity in the finals with former head Elseid Hysaj making the back-four. The midfield trio - Nedim Bajrami, Ylber Ramadani and Kristjan Asllani are the engines for the side against the tough opposition. Forward Armando Broja has not found his feet since being hit with the ACL injury but remains the main attacking outlet for Albania.
Albania Fixtures for Euro 2024
Sunday, 16 June 2024
Italy vs Albania - Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund (00:30)
Wednesday, 19 June 2024
Croatia vs Albania - Volksparkstadion, Hamburg (18:30)
Tuesday, 25 June 2024
Albania vs Spain - Düsseldorf Arena, Düsseldorf (00:30)
