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 U21
Nickname(s)Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
Shpresat e Shqipërisë (Albanian Hopes)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachAlban Bushi
CaptainSherif Kallaku
Most capsShaqir Tafa (23)
Top scorerOdise Roshi (7)
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
1976–1978 Team
1981 Team

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

History

Balkan Youth Championship

Albania Under-21 participated in the Balkan Youth Championship as a succeder 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

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 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, although they were competing for the first time in such tournament. They were drawn in a very tough group which included the West Germany, Turkey and Austria. The historic event was the first time any Albanian squad qualified for a Europe 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 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship 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. Italy advanced to the semifinals of Euro '84 and lost them against England, eventual champions of the tournament.

1986–1994

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

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

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

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.


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
Total 2 0 0 2 0 2 149 30 35 84 136 282

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

Fixtures and results

23 March 2018 2019 UEFA Q Albania  2–3  Slovakia Tiranë
Manaj  44', 52' Report Špalek  48'
Dimun  80'
Mráz  87'
Stadium: Selman Stërmasi Stadium
Referee: Stefan Apostolov (Bulgaria)
27 March 2018 2019 UEFA Q Slovakia  4–1  Albania Žilina
Haraslín  19'
Mráz  45+2', 74'
Sipľak  70'
Report Manaj  63' Stadium: Štadión pod Dubňom
Referee: Iwan Arwel Griffith (Wales)
5 June 2018 Friendly Albania  3–2  Belarus Elbasan
19:00 Shefiti  45'
Sahiti  63', 69'
Report Fedosov  30'
Antilevsky  89'
Stadium: Elbasan Arena
8 June 2018 Friendly Albania  1–1  Belarus Elbasan
19:00 Selmani  90+3' Report Bakhar  4' Stadium: Elbasan Arena
16 September 2018 (2018-09-16) Friendly Italy  3–1  Albania Cagliari
Dimarco  27'
Murgia  90+3'
Parigini  90+4'
Report Vrioni  90+1' Stadium: Sardegna Arena
Referee: Lionel Tschudi, Switzerland
6 September 2018 (2018-09-06) 2019 UEFA Q Spain  3–0  Albania Córdoba
Oyarzabal  5'
Mayoral  56'
Mir  90+2'
Report Stadium: Nuevo Arcángel
Referee: Krzysztof Jakubik (Poland)
11 October 2018 (2018-10-11) 2019 UEFA Q Albania  0–1  Spain Tiranë
Report Mir  84' Stadium: Selman Stërmasi Stadium
Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal)
16 October 2018 (2018-10-16) 2019 UEFA Q Estonia  2–2  Albania Pärnu
Liivak  32'
Kuusk  87'
Report Seferi  12', 69' Stadium: Pärnu Rannastaadion
Referee: Yigal Frid (Israel)
16 November 2018 (2018-11-16) Friendly Albania  2–0  Malta Tiranë
18:00 Hebaj  35'
Imeri  41'
Report Stadium: Selman Stërmasi Stadium
19 November 2018 (2018-11-19) Friendly Albania  3–2  Malta Shkodër
18:00 Shefiti  11'
Hebaj  76' (pen.), 87'
Report  37', 66' Brincat Stadium: Loro Boriçi Stadium
Referee: Eldorjan Hamiti
23 March 2019 (2019-03-23) 2021 UEFA Q Albania  1–2  Turkey Elbasan
19:00 Tafa  20' Report  11' Yüksel
 78' Özcan
Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Attendance: 1,900
Referee: Erik Lambrechts
26 March 2019 (2019-03-26) 2021 UEFA Q Andorra  2–2  Albania Istanbul
18:30 Aláez  19', 55' Report  53' Imeri
 86' Sula
Stadium: Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella
Attendance: 578
Referee: Kári Jóannesarson Á Høvdanum
7 June 2019 (2019-06-07) 2021 UEFA Q Turkey  2–2  Albania Istanbul
20:30 Müldür  54'
Dervişoğlu  85'
Report  49' Maloku
 90+5' Bullari
Stadium: Necmi Kadıoğlu Stadium
Attendance: 2,100
Referee: Alain Durieux
9 June 2019 (2019-06-09) Friendly Albania  2–1  Wales Tiranë
17:00 Broja  48', 60' Report  80' Pugh Stadium: Selman Stërmasi Stadium
Attendance: 280
11 June 2019 (2019-06-11) Friendly Albania  3–1  Wales Durrës
15:00 Bullari  9'
Mala  14'
Broja  65'
Report  90' (pen.) Lewis Stadium: Niko Dovana Stadium
Attendance: 275
Referee: Andi Koci
5 September 2019 (2019-09-05) Friendly France  4–0  Albania Amiens
21:00 Gouiri  43' (pen.)
Édouard  78', 89'
Zagadou  90+3'
Report Stadium: Stade de la Licorne
9 September 2019 (2019-09-09) 2021 UEFA Q Albania  0–4  Austria Durrës
18:00 Report  6' Raguž
 9', 73' Lovrić
 72' Baumgartner
Stadium: Niko Dovana Stadium
Attendance: 1,200
15 October 2019 (2019-10-15) 2021 UEFA Q Albania  2–1  Kosovo Elbasan
18:00 Tafa  76'
Mucolli  81'
Report  90' Baftiu Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Attendance: 845
Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero
5 November 2019 (2019-11-05) 2021 UEFA Q Albania  0–3  England Shkodër
19:00 Report  22' Foden
 43' Gallagher
 90+3' Nelson
Stadium: Loro Boriçi Stadium
Attendance: 1,050
Referee: Léonce Lionel Tschudi
4 September 2020 (2020-09-04) 2021 UEFA Q Austria  1–5  Albania Ried im Innkreis
18:30 Wolf  84' (pen.) Report Kallaku  17'
Tuci  27'
Muçi  65', 88'
Selmani  90'
Stadium: Keine Sorgen Arena
Attendance: 0
Referee: Rob Jenkins (Wales)
8 September 2020 (2020-09-08) 2021 UEFA Q Albania  3–1  Andorra Elbasan
19:00 Selmani  63'
Vrioni  86'
Bullari  90+5'
Report Aláez  3' (pen.) Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Attendance: 0
Referee: Jasmin Sabotic (Luxembourg)
13 November 2020 (2020-11-13) 2021 UEFA Q Kosovo  0–2  Albania Prishtinë
19:00 Çokaj  35' Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 50
Referee: Nathan Verboomen (Belgium)
17 November 2020 (2020-11-17) 2021 UEFA Q England  5–0  Albania Wolverhampton
20:25 Hudson-Odoi  5'
Justin  26'
Musiala  36'
Nketiah  52', 86'
Report Stadium: Molineux Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Alain Bieri (Switzerland)
4 June 2021 (2021-06-04) 2023 UEFA Q Andorra  0–3  Albania Andorra la Vella
18:00 CEST Report Broja  17'
Mehmeti  43' (pen.)
Iker  62' (o.g.)
Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Referee: Amine Kourgheli (Belarus)
8 June 2021 (2021-06-08) Friendly Bulgaria  4–0  Albania Sofia
18:30 EEST Shopov  2'
S. Petrov  5'
Gruev  12'
Nikolov  68' (pen.)
Report Stadium: Stadion Slavia
6 September 2021 (2021-09-06) 2023 UEFA Q Czech Republic  4–0  Albania České Budějovice
18:00 Ostrák  7'
Fila  13'
Danek  32'
Šulc  83'
Report Stadium: Stadion Střelecký ostrov
Attendance: 1,784
Referee: Julian Weinberger (Austria)
7 October 2021 (2021-10-07) 2023 UEFA Q Albania  2–0  Andorra Elbasan
19:00 Muçi  36', 90+2' Report Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Attendance: 100
Referee: Alex Troleis (Faroe Islands)
11 October 2021 (2021-10-11) 2023 UEFA Q Albania  2–0  Slovenia Elbasan
18:30 Karrica  53'
Dobra  58'
Report Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Attendance: 200
Referee: Bram Van Driessche (Belgium)
12 November 2021 (2021-11-12) 2023 UEFA Q Slovenia  3–0  Albania Koper
18:00 Flakus Bosilj  7', 75'
Matko  24'
Report Stadium: Bonifika Stadium
Attendance: 320
Referee: Rob Hennessy (Republic of Ireland)
16 November 2021 (2021-11-16) 2023 UEFA Q Kosovo  2–1  Albania Prishtinë
19:00 Krasniqi  66'
Sejdiu  90+2'
Report Karrica  58' Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 600
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann (Malta)

Players

Current squad

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Angelo Tafa (2000-07-05) 5 July 2000 2 0 Kukësi
23 1GK Bruno Puja (2000-01-20) 20 January 2000 0 0 Egnatia

4 2DF Jorgo Pëllumbi (Captain) (2000-07-15) 15 July 2000 13 0 Varaždin
22 2DF Albion Marku (2000-11-14) 14 November 2000 9 0 Partizani
5 2DF Adolf Selmani (2000-06-26) 26 June 2000 7 2 Teuta
14 2DF Marsel Ismailgeci (2000-03-14) 14 March 2000 6 0 Tirana
3 2DF Mario Mitaj (Vice-captain) (2003-08-06) 6 August 2003 5 0 AEK Athens
2 2DF Masimiliano Doda (2000-11-17) 17 November 2000 2 0 Palermo
15 2DF Ergi Goga (2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 0 0 Erzeni

19 3MF Angelo Ndrecka (2000-04-26) 26 April 2000 8 0 Teramo
10 3MF Armando Dobra (2001-04-14) 14 April 2001 6 0 Colchester United
21 3MF Jurgen Çelhaka (2000-12-06) 6 December 2000 5 0 Legia Warsaw
11 3MF Bernard Karrica (2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 5 0 Sereď
6 3MF Kristjan Asllani (2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 3 0 Empoli
9 3MF Eridon Qardaku (2000-08-10) 10 August 2000 2 0 Bylis
8 3MF Erald Lakti (2000-01-06) 6 January 2000 1 0 Lecco
7 3MF Arinaldo Rrapaj (2001-08-09) 9 August 2001 1 0 Partizani

17 4FW Dijar Nikqi (2004-10-20) 20 October 2004 2 0 Akademia e Futbollit
18 4FW Mehdi Çoba (2000-03-09) 9 March 2000 1 0 Vllaznia
13 4FW Ergys Peposhi (2000-08-26) 26 August 2000 1 0 Kukësi

Recent call-ups

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 Vokli Laroshi (2001-08-06) 6 August 2001 1 0 Partizani v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
GK Arlis Shala (2000-07-26) 26 July 2000 1 0 Kastrioti v.  Andorra, 7 September 2021PRE
GK Marco Alia (2000-04-26) 26 April 2000 2 0 Monterosi v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021
GK Marco Molla (2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 1 0 Bologna v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021INJ
GK Endri Dema (2004-04-17) 17 April 2004 0 0 Teuta v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021PRE
GK Mario Mara (2002-01-29) 29 January 2002 0 0 Erzeni Training Camp, 22–30 March 2021

DF Kosta Vangjeli (2000-07-21) 21 July 2000 4 0 Skënderbeu v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
DF Ramën Çepele (2003-03-21) 21 March 2003 1 0 Hannover 96 v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
DF Adrian Bajrami (2002-04-05) 5 April 2002 0 0 Benfica v.  Slovenia, 12 November 2021PRE
DF Elmando Gjini (2002-08-28) 28 August 2002 0 0 Genoa v.  Slovenia, 11 October 2021
DF Marçelino Preka (2003-08-02) 2 August 2003 0 0 Bylis v.  Slovenia, 11 October 2021U19
DF Sergio Kalaj (2000-01-28) 28 January 2000 4 0 Carrarese v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021
DF Redon Dragoshi (2000-03-18) 18 March 2000 1 0 Kukësi v.  Bulgaria, 8 June 2021
DF Nikolas Smajlaj (2002-09-30) 30 September 2002 1 0 Cittadella v.  Bulgaria, 8 June 2021
DF Franklin Domi (2000-09-19) 19 September 2000 1 0 Queens Park Rangers U23 v.  Andorra, 4 June 2021PRE
DF Elmir Lekaj (2000-01-18) 18 January 2000 0 0 Rabat Ajax Training Camp, 22–30 March 2021
DF Amet Korça (2000-09-16) 16 September 2000 0 0 Dubrava Training Camp, 22–30 March 2021
DF Hajdin Salihu (2002-01-18) 18 January 2002 0 0 Lokomotiva Training Camp, 22–30 March 2021

MF Fatmir Prengaj (2001-05-01) 1 May 2001 1 0 Laçi v.  Slovenia, 11 October 2021
MF Eldis Kraja (2000-03-22) 22 March 2000 1 0 Anagennisi Deryneia v.  Andorra, 7 September 2021PRE
MF Anis Mehmeti (2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 3 1 Wycombe Wanderers v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021
MF Mark Bushaj (2001-03-19) 19 March 2001 2 0 Croatia Zmijavci v.  Bulgaria, 8 June 2021
MF Mateo Shanaj (2001-09-06) 6 September 2001 1 0 Apolonia v.  Bulgaria, 8 June 2021
MF Ledio Beqja (2001-06-18) 18 June 2001 0 0 Teuta v.  Bulgaria, 8 June 2021
MF Drini Halili (2000-06-12) 12 June 2000 0 0 Sturm Graz II v.  Andorra, 4 June 2021PRE
MF Erdis Kraja (2000-07-07) 7 July 2000 2 0 Lecco Training Camp, 22–30 March 2021
MF Dean Liço (2000-02-08) 8 February 2000 1 0 Partizani Training Camp, 22–30 March 2021
MF Lundrim Hetemi (2000-02-18) 18 February 2000 0 0 Vejle Training Camp, 22–30 March 2021

FW Ernest Muçi (2001-03-19) 19 March 2001 7 4 Legia Warsaw v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021A
FW Tedi Cara (2000-04-15) 15 April 2000 3 0 Partizani v.  Slovenia, 12 November 2021INJ
FW Eljon Toçi (2003-01-09) 9 January 2003 0 0 Fiorentina v.  Slovenia, 11 October 2021U19
FW Mario Gjata (2000-07-06) 6 July 2000 3 0 Dinamo v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021
FW Franc Marinaj (2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 0 0 Partizani v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021PRE
FW Armando Broja (2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 5 4 Southampton v.  Bulgaria, 8 June 2021A
FW Armelindo Mema (2002-05-23) 23 May 2002 2 0 Queens Park Rangers U23 v.  Bulgaria, 8 June 2021
FW Arbër Mehmetllari (2000-04-19) 19 April 2000 0 0 Lokomotiva Training Camp, 22–30 March 2021
FW Jeton Krasniqi (2001-01-16) 16 January 2001 0 0 Apolonia Training Camp, 22–30 March 2021

Notes
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.
  • INJ = The player is not part of the current squad due to injury.
  • U19 = Was called up from national under-19 squad.
  • A = Was called up from national senior squad.

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff:[5]

Position Name
Head Coach Alban Bushi
Assistant Coach Arjan Bellaj
Goalkeeping Coach Alfred Osmani
Athletic Coach Iris Selimi
Team Doctor Erald Derveni
Physiotherapists Gledi Rexha
Physiotherapists Edison Koçi
Base materials Roland Rarani

Competitive record

UEFA European Under-23 Championship

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

UEFA U-21 Championship Record

UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship record UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Qualification record
Year Round Pld W D * L GF GA Position Pld W D * L GF GA
1978 Did Not Participate
1980
1982
1984Quarter-finals200202Qualifying stage 1/4642093
1986 Did not qualify Qualifying Stage 3/3410337
1988Qualifying Stage 4/46024410
1990Qualifying Stage 4/4601518
1992Qualifying Stage 4/57124313
1994Qualifying round 4/58125518
1996 Did Not Participate
1998 Did not qualify Qualifying round 4/58116619
2000Qualifying round 6/610145821
2002Qualifying round 5/58116319
2004Qualifying round 3/583141010
2006Qualifying round 6/712237927
2007Qualifying round 3/3201103
2009Qualifying round 4/6103341013
2011Qualifying round 4/581161120
2013Qualifying round 5/581251118
2015Qualifying round 5/58206715
2017Qualifying round 4/6103341120
2019 Qualifying round 5/610145917 2021 Qualifying round 3/6104241621
Total: 1/22Best: Quarter-finals200202Total139303584137287

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

*The 2021 Competition in Hungary and Slovenia will be played

Balkan Youth Championship Record

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

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

See also

References

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