The Albania Euro 2024 squad can still qualify for the knockout stages as they enter their final group game.
After getting off to a dream start at Euro 2024 against Italy, as Nedim Bajrami netted after just 23 seconds, things have gone both good and bad for the Balkan nation. Ultimately, they lost that match 2-1 to the European champions, but managed to take the lead against Croatia in their second game, too.
Two quick-fire second-half goals from Croatia stunned Albania, though, and it seemed they would be making an early exit from the tournament with zero points from two games. Instead, they managed to rally, with Klaus Gjasula netting in the 95th minute to secure a draw and keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.
Spain await in their final group game, and while that is arguably the toughest test on paper, La Roja have already finished top of Group B and could look to rest some players, thus providing a glimmer of opportunity to Albania. A win would likely see them qualify, though it might have to be as one of the best third-placed teams - if Italy get a result in their match against Croatia, they will secure second spot.
If Croatia win, meanwhile, and Albania fail to win themselves, they'll be knocked out in the group stages.
Sylvinho is the Albania manager (Image credit: Getty Images)
Sylvinho's managerial experience before January 2023 consisted of unsuccessful spells with Lyon and Corinthians. And yet, assisted by Pablo Zabaleta and former Boro midfielder Doriva, the ex-Arsenal left-back has worked miracles, he earned the Golden Decoration of the Eagle and Albanian citizenship within a year of taking the reins.
Albania's star player
Berat Djimsiti
Berat Djimsiti of Albania (Image credit: Getty Images)
For a side so reliant on keeping it tight at the back, it has to be their captain, commanding officer and header-in-chief, Berat Djimsiti Like many of his team-mates, the Swiss-born 31-year-old grew up abroad when his family fled war at home, then switched allegiance to Albania later. He has made more than 200 appearances for Atalanta.
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Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.
