sport.wikisort.org - 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)
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Alban Bushi
Captain	Sherif Kallaku
Most caps	Shaqir Tafa (23)
Top scorer	Odise Roshi (7)
Home stadium	Elbasan Arena Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA code	ALB
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
Appearances	1 (first in 1984)
Best result	Quarter-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^{[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

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. Albania were also able to drew 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

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

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

Players

Current squad

• The following players were called up for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against England and Kosovo, on 7 and 13 June 2022.[8]
• All caps and goals as of 7 June 2022 after match against England.
• 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
1	1GK	Angelo Tafa	(2000-07-05) 5 July 2000 (age 22)	4	0	Kukësi
12	1GK	Bruno Puja	(2000-01-20) 20 January 2000 (age 22)	2	0	Egnatia
23	1GK	Henrik Weiper	(2003-07-31) 31 July 2003 (age 19)	0	0	Kickers Offenbach
22	2DF	Albion Marku (Vice-captain)	(2000-11-14) 14 November 2000 (age 21)	14	0	Partizani
5	2DF	Adolf Selmani	(2000-06-26) 26 June 2000 (age 22)	11	2	Kastrioti
14	2DF	Marsel Ismailgeci	(2000-03-14) 14 March 2000 (age 22)	10	0	Tirana
3	2DF	Mario Mitaj (3rd captain)	(2003-08-06) 6 August 2003 (age 19)	10	0	Lokomotiv Moscow
2	2DF	Sergio Kalaj	(2000-01-28) 28 January 2000 (age 22)	6	0	Frosinone
4	2DF	Adrian Bajrami	(2002-04-05) 5 April 2002 (age 20)	1	0	Benfica
21	3MF	Jurgen Çelhaka (Captain)	(2000-12-06) 6 December 2000 (age 21)	10	0	Legia Warsaw
11	3MF	Bernard Karrica (4th captain)	(2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 21)	9	2	Hrvatski Dragovoljac
6	3MF	Erdis Kraja	(2000-07-07) 7 July 2000 (age 22)	4	0	Lecco
16	3MF	Roy Syla	(2000-06-20) 20 June 2000 (age 22)	3	0	Brentford B
8	3MF	Arinaldo Rrapaj	(2001-08-09) 9 August 2001 (age 21)	3	0	Partizani
13	3MF	Klevis Bebeziqi	(2003-08-24) 24 August 2003 (age 19)	2	0	Olimpija
19	3MF	Flamur Ruçi	(2002-01-19) 19 January 2002 (age 20)	0	0	Bylis
18	3MF	Endri Muhameti	(2004-07-12) 12 July 2004 (age 18)	0	0	Atalanta
20	4FW	Ernest Muçi	(2001-03-19) 19 March 2001 (age 21)	10	4	Legia Warsaw
7	4FW	Tedi Cara	(2000-04-15) 15 April 2000 (age 22)	7	0	Partizani
9	4FW	Eljon Toçi	(2003-01-09) 9 January 2003 (age 19)	4	0	Fiorentina

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	Simon Simoni	(2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 18)	2	0	Dinamo	v.  England, 7 June 2022A
GK	Vokli Laroshi	(2001-08-06) 6 August 2001 (age 21)	1	0	Partizani	v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
GK	Arlis Shala	(2000-07-26) 26 July 2000 (age 22)	1	0	Drenica	v.  Andorra, 7 September 2021PRE
GK	Marco Alia	(2000-04-26) 26 April 2000 (age 22)	2	0	Monterosi	v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021
GK	Marco Molla	(2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 (age 20)	1	0	Bologna	v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021INJ
GK	Endri Dema	(2004-04-17) 17 April 2004 (age 18)	0	0	Teuta	v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021PRE
DF	Kevin Haveri	(2001-09-18) 18 September 2001 (age 21)	0	0	Rimini	v.  Kosovo, 13 June 2022A
DF	Jorgo Pëllumbi	(2000-07-15) 15 July 2000 (age 22)	15	0	Kukësi	v.  England, 29 March 2022
DF	Angelo Ndrecka	(2000-04-26) 26 April 2000 (age 22)	12	0	Teramo	v.  England, 29 March 2022
DF	Lorik Konjuhi	(2002-12-21) 21 December 2002 (age 19)	0	0	BK Olympic	v.  Czech Republic, 25 March 2022PRE
DF	Kosta Vangjeli	(2000-07-21) 21 July 2000 (age 22)	4	0	Skënderbeu	v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
DF	Masimiliano Doda	(2000-11-17) 17 November 2000 (age 21)	3	0	Palermo	v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
DF	Ramën Çepele	(2003-03-21) 21 March 2003 (age 19)	1	0	Hannover 96	v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
DF	Ergi Goga	(2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 (age 19)	0	0	Erzeni	v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
DF	Elmando Gjini	(2002-08-28) 28 August 2002 (age 20)	0	0	Genoa	v.  Slovenia, 11 October 2021
DF	Marçelino Preka	(2003-08-02) 2 August 2003 (age 19)	0	0	Bylis	v.  Slovenia, 11 October 2021U19
MF	Armando Dobra	(2001-04-14) 14 April 2001 (age 21)	11	1	Ipswich Town	v.  Kosovo, 13 June 2022SUS
MF	Aldi Gjumsi	(2002-03-15) 15 March 2002 (age 20)	0	0	Tirana	v.  England, 29 March 2022
MF	Kristjan Asllani	(2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 20)	5	0	Empoli	v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021A
MF	Eridon Qardaku	(2000-08-10) 10 August 2000 (age 22)	3	0	Bylis	v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
MF	Erald Lakti	(2000-01-06) 6 January 2000 (age 22)	2	0	Lecco	v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
MF	Fatmir Prengaj	(2001-05-01) 1 May 2001 (age 21)	2	0	Erzeni	v.  Slovenia, 11 October 2021
MF	Eldis Kraja	(2000-03-22) 22 March 2000 (age 22)	1	0	Dinamo	v.  Andorra, 7 September 2021PRE
MF	Anis Mehmeti	(2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 (age 21)	3	1	Wycombe Wanderers	v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021
FW	Indrit Tuci	(2000-09-14) 14 September 2000 (age 22)	7	1	Lokomotiva	v.  England, 29 March 2022
FW	Arbër Mehmetllari	(2000-04-19) 19 April 2000 (age 22)	1	0	Dinamo	v.  England, 29 March 2022
FW	Dijar Nikqi	(2004-10-20) 20 October 2004 (age 17)	3	0	Tirana	v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
FW	Ergys Peposhi	(2000-08-26) 26 August 2000 (age 22)	2	0	Teuta	v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
FW	Mehdi Çoba	(2000-03-09) 9 March 2000 (age 22)	1	0	Vllaznia	v.  Kosovo, 16 November 2021
FW	Mario Gjata	(2000-07-06) 6 July 2000 (age 22)	3	0	Unattached	v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021
FW	Franc Marinaj	(2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 (age 20)	0	0	Jarun	v.  Czech Republic, 6 September 2021PRE
Notes A = Was called up from national senior squad. 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. SUS = It is not available in next match due to red card suspension.

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff:[9]

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
1984	Quarter-finals	2	0	0	2	0	2	Qualifying stage 1/4	6	4	2	0	9	3
1986	Did not qualify							Qualifying Stage 3/3	4	1	0	3	3	7
1988								Qualifying Stage 4/4	6	0	2	4	4	10
1990								Qualifying Stage 4/4	6	0	1	5	1	8
1992								Qualifying Stage 4/5	7	1	2	4	3	13
1994								Qualifying round 4/5	8	1	2	5	5	18
1996	Did Not Participate
1998	Did not qualify							Qualifying round 4/5	8	1	1	6	6	19
2000								Qualifying round 6/6	10	1	4	5	8	21
2002								Qualifying round 5/5	8	1	1	6	3	19
2004								Qualifying round 3/5	8	3	1	4	10	10
2006								Qualifying round 6/7	12	2	3	7	9	27
2007								Qualifying round 3/3	2	0	1	1	0	3
2009								Qualifying round 4/6	10	3	3	4	10	13
2011								Qualifying round 4/5	8	1	1	6	11	20
2013								Qualifying round 5/5	8	1	2	5	11	18
2015								Qualifying round 5/5	8	2	0	6	7	15
2017								Qualifying round 4/6	10	3	3	4	11	20
2019								Qualifying round 5/6	10	1	4	5	9	17
2021	Qualifying round 3/6	10	4	2	4	16	21
Total: 1/22	Best: Quarter-finals	2	0	0	2	0	2	Total	139	30	35	84	137	287

*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

• Albania national football team
• Albania national under-23 football team
• Albania national under-20 football team
• Albania national under-19 football team
• Albania national under-18 football team
• Albania national under-17 football team
• Albania national under-16 football team
• Albania national under-15 football team
• Albania national football team results
• Albania national youth football team
• Albanian Superliga
• Football in Albania
• List of Albania international footballers

References

External links

• Team profile at Soccerway
• Team profile at FSHF.org
• Team profile at UEFA.com

На других языках

---

- [en] Albania national under-21 football team

---

[ru] Сборная Албании по футболу (до 21 года)

Сборная Албании по футболу до 21 года представляет Албанию на международных соревнованиях по футболу среди молодёжных команд. Всего один раз играла в финальной стадии чемпионата Европы (в 1984 году), но вышла там в 1/4 финала, что стало большим успехом для этой относительно слабой страны-члена УЕФА. Игроки молодёжной сборной Албании, имеющие опыт выступления на международной арене, призываются в главную сборную.

---

---