ALBANIA

Key players

Albania will not enter the 2024 European Championships with numerous household names – however they do have a few standout members of the squad. These players will have to put in impressive performances if Sylvinho’s side want to prolong their summer. Here is a closer look at some of those players:

Armando Broja

Caps (goals): 19 (4) Position: Forward Club: Fulham (on loan from Chelsea)

Armando Broja was touted as one of Europe’s most exciting young strikers not too long ago. After a stellar season in the Eredivisie, scoring 10 goals in 30 appearances for Vitesse, the Chelsea forward was loaned to Southampton.

On the south coast he hit the back of the net nine times across 38 matches, ending the campaign as their second-top-scorer behind James Ward-Prowse. Despite showing promising signs in Saints colours, Broja’s domestic form has subsequently stalled due to lack of playing time and injury issues – including a not-so-fruitful loan spell at Fulham where he struggled to find the net.

There would be no better place for the Chelsea loanee to refind his form than on the European stage with his nation.

Elseid Hysaj

Caps (goals): 83 (2) Position: Defender Club: Lazio

One of the most experienced members of the squad this summer will be full-back Elseid Hysaj. With the versatility to play at either left or right-back, Hysaj is the second-most capped Albanian player in history, 10 caps behind the current leader Lorik Cana.

The 30-year-old is a well-known name in Italy, featuring for Empoli, Napoli and Lazio during his decade-long career in the Serie A. He has clocked almost 300 appearances in the Italian top flgiht, so his top-level nous will be important if Albania want to navigate an incredibly difficult group.

Berat Djimsiti

Caps (goals): 56 (1) Position: Defender Club: Atalanta

Albania will be led into the Euros by captain Berat Djimsiti, a towering defender in the midst of arguably his best season as a professional.

He leads all Atalanta players in blocks (64), interceptions (82) and clearances (139) in Serie A this season in addition to proving himself a cornerstone of the Italian side’s impressive season in cup competitions at home and abroad.

Djimsiti’s authoritative defensive performances translated to Albania’s qualifiers. During the qualifying process only France (three goals conceded) and Portugal (two) had better defensive records than the Albanians (four) and Djimisiti featured in five of their six matches. The one game he missed was also the only loss Sylvinho’s side suffered en route to qualifying for the European Championships.

Previous performances in the Euros

Appearances at the European Championships have been scarce for Albania throughout the years. Their only other appearance, besides this one, was in 2016. They picked up their inaugural win at the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Romania but it was not enough to progress into the knockout stages.

Albania’s previous performances in the Euros in full:

• 1960: Did not enter
• 1964: Did not qualify
• 1968: Did not qualify
• 1972: Did not qualify
• 1976: Did not enter
• 1980: Did not qualify
• 1984: Did not qualify
• 1988: Did not qualify
• 1992: Did not qualify
• 1996: Did not qualify
• 2000: Did not qualify
• 2004: Did not qualify
• 2008: Did not qualify
• 2012: Did not qualify
• 2016: Group stage (third in Group A)
• 2020: Did not qualify

Expectations

It’s likely a case of wrong group, wrong time for Albania. They enter the European Championships following an impressive qualification process, topping a group with Poland and Czech Republic, but luck was not on their side in the group stage draw. The consensus is that Albania’s fate may already be decided by game three of the group stages but, nonetheless, they will end the opening round against Spain at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf.

Stranger things have happened in football but, as long as they put in a valiant effort, Albania can exit the tournament with their heads held high. Were Albania to pull off a minor miracle and win Group B they would face the third-placed finisher from either Group A, D, E or F. A second-place finish would set up a round of 16 tie against the runner-up in Group A – Germany, Switzerland, Hungary or Scotland.

Check out our Albania betting odds for all our latest prices throughout the European Championships.

Odds and player information correct at time of publication but subject to change