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Albania national under-21 football team

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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

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.

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 Durres with 2-2 during this qualifying. Albania suffered close loses against Poland in Grudziądz with 4-3 and to Russia with 0–1 in Durres 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
Europe 1978 did not enter did not enter
Europe 1980 did not enter did not enter
Europe 1982 did not enter did not enter
Europe 1984 Quarter Final 6th of 8 2 0 0 2 0 2 6 4 2 0 9 3 Rreli & Rragami
Europe 1986 did not qualify 4 1 0 3 3 7
Europe 1988 did not qualify 6 0 2 4 4 10
Europe 1990 did not qualify 6 0 1 5 1 8
Europe 1992 did not qualify 7 1 2 4 3 13
France 1994 did not qualify 8 1 2 5 5 18
Spain 1996 did not enter did not enter
Romania 1998 did not qualify 8 1 1 6 6 19
Slovakia 2000 did not qualify 10 1 4 5 8 21
Switzerland 2002 did not qualify 8 1 1 6 3 19
Germany 2004 did not qualify 8 3 1 4 10 10
Portugal 2006 did not qualify 12 2 3 7 9 27 Bushati
Netherlands 2007 did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 3 Bushati
Sweden 2009 did not qualify 10 3 3 4 10 13 Bushati
Denmark 2011 did not qualify 8 1 1 6 11 20 Bushati
Israel 2013 did not qualify 8 1 2 5 11 18 Gega
Czech Republic 2015 did not qualify 8 2 0 6 7 15 Gega
Poland 2017 did not qualify 10 3 3 4 11 20 Jupi
Italy 2019 did not qualify 10 1 4 5 9 17 Bushi
Slovenia Hungary 2021 did not qualify 10 4 2 4 16 21 Bushi
Romania Georgia (country) 2023 did not qualify 10 3 1 6 9 17 Bushi
Slovakia 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 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)

Players

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Current squad

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No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Simon Simoni (2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 20) 11 0 Germany FC Ingolstadt 04
1GK Klidman Lilo (2003-01-31) 31 January 2003 (age 21) 9 0 Greece Panathinaikos
1GK Endri Dema (2004-04-17) 17 April 2004 (age 20) 2 0 Albania Erzeni
1GK Arbër Jata (2004-12-03) 3 December 2004 (age 19) 0 0 Albania Vora
2DF Geralb Smajli (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 (age 22) 12 1 Kosovo Ballkani
2DF Adrian Bajrami (2002-04-05) 5 April 2002 (age 22) 10 0 Portugal Benfica
2DF Elmando Gjini (2002-08-28) 28 August 2002 (age 22) 8 0 Kosovo Ballkani
2DF Marçelino Preka (2003-08-02) 2 August 2003 (age 21) 6 0 Albania Partizani
2DF Ermis Selimaj (2004-05-25) 25 May 2004 (age 20) 6 0 Greece PAOK B
2DF Elton Fikaj (2005-10-18) 18 October 2005 (age 19) 2 0 Greece Panathinaikos
2DF Maldini Kacurri (2005-10-04) 4 October 2005 (age 19) 0 0 England Arsenal
3MF Tim Civeja (2002-01-04) 4 January 2002 (age 22) 5 0 Germany 1. FC Saarbrücken
3MF Leandro Frroku (2003-09-03) 3 September 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Greece Panathinaikos B
3MF Feta Fetai (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 (age 19) 4 0 Croatia Lokomotiva
3MF Dejvid Janaqi (2003-07-21) 21 July 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Albania Skënderbeu
3MF Ermal Meta (2005-06-20) 20 June 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Albania Tirana
3MF Klevis Kasa (2003-08-08) 8 August 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Albania Elbasani
3MF Hajrulla Tola (2004-07-01) 1 July 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Albania Tirana
4FW Arlind Rexhepi (2003-07-28) 28 July 2003 (age 21) 10 1 Germany Waldhof Mannheim
4FW Cristian Shpendi (2003-05-19) 19 May 2003 (age 21) 8 1 Italy Cesena
4FW Ermir Rashica (2004-03-24) 24 March 2004 (age 20) 7 1 Albania Skënderbeu
4FW Erald Maksuti (2004-05-10) 10 May 2004 (age 20) 1 1 Albania Apolonia
4FW Rrok Toma (2004-02-27) 27 February 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Albania Teuta
4FW Kevin Dodaj (2005-09-03) 3 September 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Albania Vllaznia

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 Giulio Veliaj (2005-01-01) 1 January 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Italy Cesena v.   Switzerland, 6 September 2024
GK Anxhelo Sina (2004-01-07) 7 January 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Portugal Rio Ave v.  Liechtenstein, 11 June 2024
GK Renato Beqaj (2004-06-22) 22 June 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Albania Bylisi v.  Montenegro, 7 June 2024
GK Brajan Lenja (2004-01-19) 19 January 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Albania Albanët v.  Montenegro, 17 October 2023
DF Ysni Ismaili (2002-03-13) 13 March 2002 (age 22) 4 0 Albania Vora v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024INJ
DF Paulo Buxhelaj (2003-05-01) 1 May 2003 (age 21) 13 0 Albania Partizani v.   Switzerland, 6 September 2024INJ
DF Ajdi Dajko (2002-10-28) 28 October 2002 (age 22) 12 0 Ukraine Cherkasy v.   Switzerland, 6 September 2024INJ
DF Agan Mjaki (2003-03-10) 10 March 2003 (age 21) 8 0 Albania Laçi v.  Liechtenstein, 11 June 2024
DF Edon Pruti (2002-04-08) 8 April 2002 (age 22) 1 0 England Farnborough v.  Romania, 17 November 2023
DF Brayan Boci (2003-07-24) 24 July 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Italy Feralpisalò v.  Romania, 17 November 2023
MF Adrion Pajaziti (2002-11-16) 16 November 2002 (age 21) 14 9 Croatia Gorica v.   Switzerland, 6 September 2024A
MF Rejan Alivoda (2003-06-05) 5 June 2003 (age 21) 5 0 United Arab Emirates Kalba v.   Switzerland, 6 September 2024
MF Hajrulla Tola (2004-07-01) 1 July 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Albania Tirana v.   Switzerland, 6 September 2024
MF Arda Kurtulan (2002-11-19) 19 November 2002 (age 21) 13 2 Turkey Demirspor v.  Liechtenstein, 11 June 2024
MF Rei Pecani (2002-05-08) 8 May 2002 (age 22) 6 0 Albania Skënderbeu v.  Liechtenstein, 11 June 2024
MF Klevi Qefalija (2003-12-12) 12 December 2003 (age 20) 5 0 Albania Dinamo City v.  Liechtenstein, 11 June 2024
MF Behar Ismaili (2005-04-26) 26 April 2005 (age 19) 9 0 Belgium Anderlecht II v.  Montenegro, 7 June 2024
MF Medon Berisha (2003-10-21) 21 October 2003 (age 21) 12 3 Italy Lecce v.   Switzerland, 26 March 2024INJ
MF Elion Jashari (2005-08-09) 9 August 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Switzerland Basel U21 v.   Switzerland, 26 March 2024
MF Eniss Shabani (2003-05-29) 29 May 2003 (age 21) 2 0 Germany Mainz 05 II v.  Romania, 17 November 2023
MF Stiven Bibo (2003-09-26) 26 September 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Albania Laçi v.  Montenegro, 17 October 2023
FW Ardit Nikaj (2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 (age 22) 9 0 Albania Skënderbeu v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024INJ
FW Stiven Shpendi (2003-05-19) 19 May 2003 (age 21) 14 5 Italy Carrarese v.   Switzerland, 6 September 2024
FW Eljon Toçi (2003-01-09) 9 January 2003 (age 21) 9 0 Italy Aurora Pro Patria v.  Montenegro, 17 October 2023
FW Dion Berisha (2003-05-09) 9 May 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Germany Rot-Weiss Essen v.  Montenegro, 17 October 2023
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 Albania Alban Bushi
Assistant coach Albania Arjan Bellaj
Goalkeeping coach Albania Alfred Osmani
Athletic coach Albania Iris Selimi
Team doctor Albania Erald Derveni
Physiotherapists Albania Gledi Rexha
Physiotherapists Albania Edison Koçi
Base materials Albania Roland Rarani

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
Greece 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. ^ "Shqipëri U-21 luan në "Air Albania" ndaj Armenisë, trajneri Bushi publikon listën me emrat e 23 lojtarëve të ftuar" (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association. 5 October 2024.
  9. ^ Kombëtarja U-21 (Albania national under-21 team) FSHF.org
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