They say everyone loves an underdog, and Albania at Euro 2024 will certainly be that. However, in the past decade, the Red and Blacks have made great strides as a team. In 2016 they reached their first major tournament – the Euros in France. Then, at Euro 2016, against Romania, they recorded their first major championship victory. Forward Armando Sadiku scored the only goal of the final group game in Lyon to enable the Albanians to finish third in Group A.
Albania At Euro 2024
Joint Top Of Their Qualifying Group
At Euro 2016, Albania were competitive in all three games. They lost by a single goal to Switzerland and 2-0 to hosts France. A year earlier, the Red and Blacks were as high as 22nd in the (albeit often contentious) FIFA rankings. A 1-0 win in Portugal in the 2016 Euros qualifiers made the football world sit up and take notice. As the Portuguese would be the eventual winners of the competition, in hindsight, this victory seemed even more meritorious.
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The Red and Blacks qualified in a tricky group for Euro 2024 in fine style. The Czech Republic (3-0) and Poland (2-0) were defeated at the impressive Air Albania Stadium, as the Albanians finished joint top of their group with the Czechs. While Chelsea forward Armando Broja is one example of players from this emerging football nation becoming more high profile.
Other Albanian players to look out for at Euro 2024 include Lazio full-back Elseid Hysaj, Atalanta centre-back Berat Djimsiti, who will captain his country, and Nedim Bajrami, an attacking midfielder who played in Serie A for Sassuolo last season. The Red and Blacks then will not be overawed by their opponents in Germany.
Strong In Defence
A strength of Albania is its defence, and in qualifying for Euro 2024, they conceded only four goals in their eight group games. They conceded none at all at home. The Albanians are also a team that does not worry about the opposition having more of the ball. The Czechs and Poles both had greater possession, but both succumbed to defeat.
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Former Corinthians, Arsenal, Celta Vigo, Barcelona, Manchester City and Brazil left-back Sylvinho is in charge of Albania for the 2024 Euros in Germany. The Red and Blacks will begin their Euros campaign against the unpredictable reigning champions Italy on June 15th in Dortmund in Group B.
In The ‘Group Of Death’
Group B is being dubbed this tournament’s ‘Group of Death’. After Italy, Albania face difficult opponents in Croatia and Spain. But, such has been the progress of the Red and Blacks – they could be the surprise package of the tournament.
