Albania national under-21 football team
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Nickname(s) | Kuqezinjtë (The Red and Blacks) Shpresat e Shqipërisë (Albania's Hopes) | ||||||||||||||
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Association | Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF) | ||||||||||||||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||||||||||||||
Head coach | Alban Bushi | ||||||||||||||
Captain | Medon Berisha | ||||||||||||||
Most caps | Shaqir Tafa (24) | ||||||||||||||
Top scorer | Odise Roshi (11) | ||||||||||||||
Home stadium | Elbasan Arena Loro Boriçi Stadium | ||||||||||||||
FIFA code | ALB | ||||||||||||||
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First international | |||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Thessaloniki, Greece; 25 June 1976)[1] | |||||||||||||||
Biggest win | |||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Tirana, Albania; April 12, 1978)[2] | |||||||||||||||
Biggest defeat | |||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Cologne, Germany; March 23, 2001) | |||||||||||||||
UEFA U-21 Championship | |||||||||||||||
Appearances | 1 (first in 1984) | ||||||||||||||
Best result | Quarter-finals, 1984 | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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The Albania national under-21 football team is the national under-21
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
In 1978 a
1986–1994
In the
1996–2002
In the
2004–2007
In the
2009–2013
In the
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-23 Championship
The event was classified as a
.UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification record | Manager(s) | |||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D * | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |||
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did not enter | did not enter | |||||||||||||||
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did not enter | did not enter | |||||||||||||||
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did not enter | did not enter | |||||||||||||||
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Quarter Final | 6th of 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 3 | Rreli & Rragami | ||
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did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | ||||||||||
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did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 10 | ||||||||||
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did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 8 | ||||||||||
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did not qualify | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 13 | ||||||||||
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did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 18 | ||||||||||
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did not enter | did not enter | |||||||||||||||
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did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 19 | ||||||||||
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did not qualify | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 21 | ||||||||||
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did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 19 | ||||||||||
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did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 10 | ||||||||||
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did not qualify | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 27 | Bushati | |||||||||
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did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Bushati | |||||||||
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did not qualify | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 13 | Bushati | |||||||||
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did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 20 | Bushati | |||||||||
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did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 18 | Gega | |||||||||
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did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 15 | Gega | |||||||||
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did not qualify | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 20 | Jupi | |||||||||
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did not qualify | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 17 | Bushi | |||||||||
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did not qualify | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 21 | Bushi | |||||||||
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did not qualify | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 17 | Bushi | |||||||||
Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 159 | 33 | 36 | 90 | 145 | 299 |
Note: The year of the tournament represents the year in which it ends.
Fixtures and results
4 June 2021 2023 UEFA Q | Andorra ![]() | 0–3 | ![]() | Andorra la Vella |
18:00 CEST | Report | Broja ![]() Mehmeti ![]() Iker ![]() |
Stadium: Estadi Nacional Referee: Amine Kourgheli (Belarus) |
8 June 2021 Friendly | Bulgaria ![]() | 4–0 | ![]() | Sofia |
18:30 EEST | Shopov ![]() S. Petrov ![]() Gruev ![]() Nikolov ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Stadion Slavia |
6 September 2021 2023 UEFA Q | Czech Republic ![]() | 4–0 | ![]() | České Budějovice |
18:00 | Ostrák ![]() Fila ![]() Danek ![]() Šulc ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Stadion Střelecký ostrov Attendance: 1,784 Referee: Julian Weinberger (Austria) |
7 October 2021 2023 UEFA Q | Albania ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Elbasan |
19:00 | Muçi ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Elbasan Arena Attendance: 100 Referee: Alex Troleis (Faroe Islands) |
11 October 2021 2023 UEFA Q | Albania ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Elbasan |
18:30 | Karrica ![]() Dobra ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Elbasan Arena Attendance: 200 Referee: Bram Van Driessche (Belgium) |
12 November 2021 2023 UEFA Q | Slovenia ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() | Koper |
18:00 | Flakus Bosilj ![]() Matko ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Bonifika Stadium Attendance: 320 Referee: Rob Hennessy (Republic of Ireland) |
16 November 2021 Prishtinë | ||||
19:00 | Krasniqi ![]() Sejdiu ![]() |
Report | Karrica ![]() |
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Attendance: 600 Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann (Malta) |
25 March 2022 2023 UEFA Q | Albania ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Elbasan |
20:00 | Report | Kalaj ![]() |
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Attendance: 700 Referee: Antonio Emanuel Carvalho Nobre (Portugal) |
29 March 2022 2023 UEFA Q | Albania ![]() | 0–3 | ![]() | Elbasan |
20:45 | Report | Balogun ![]() Jones ![]() |
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Attendance: 700 Referee: Kaspar Sjöberg (Sweden) |
7 June 2022 2023 UEFA Q | England ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() | Chesterfield |
20:45 | Balogun ![]() Archer ![]() |
Report | Stadium: ) |
13 June 2022 2023 UEFA Q | Albania ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Elbasan |
19:30 | Ruçi ![]() |
Report | E. Krasniqi ![]() |
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Attendance: 350 Referee: Marian Barbu (Romania) |
20 November 2022 Friendly | Montenegro ![]() | 4–2 | ![]() | Podgorica |
13:00 | Vukotić ![]() Bajović ![]() Dašić ![]() |
Report | Pajaziti ![]() Dragaj ![]() |
Stadium: Gradski Stadium |
23 March 2023 Friendly | Azerbaijan ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | Antalya |
15:00 | Cəfərov ![]() |
Report | S. Shpendi ![]() Pajaziti ![]() |
Stadium: Antalya Stadium |
27 March 2023 Friendly | Poland ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Antalya |
15:00 | Włodarczyk ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Antalya Stadium |
20 June 2023 Friendly | Albania ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() | Elbasan |
18:30 | S. Shpendi ![]() Kurtulan ![]() Berisha ![]() |
Report | Stoyanov ![]() |
Stadium: Elbasan Arena |
8 September 2023 2025 UEFA Q | Armenia ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | Abovyan |
17:00 | Tarakhchyan ![]() |
Report | S. Shpendi ![]() Rexhepi ![]() |
Stadium: Abovyan City Stadium Attendance: 1,200 Referee: Radoslav Gidzhenov (Bulgaria) |
12 September 2023 2025 UEFA Q | Albania ![]() | 3–2 | ![]() | Elbasan |
18:30 | C. Shpendi ![]() Berisha ![]() Pajaziti ![]() |
Report | Grameni ![]() Borza ![]() |
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Attendance: 713 Referee: Bulat Saryev (Kazakhstan) |
13 October 2023 2025 UEFA Q | Finland ![]() | 4–1 | ![]() | Turku |
17:00 | Liimatta ![]() Ylitolva ![]() |
Report | Pajaziti ![]() |
Stadium: Veritas Stadion Attendance: 2,247 Referee: Maria Sole Caputi (Italy) |
17 October 2023 2025 UEFA Q | Albania ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Rrogozhinë |
14:30 | Berisha ![]() S. Shpendi ![]() |
Report | Stadium: ) |
17 November 2023 2025 UEFA Q | Romania ![]() | 5–0 | ![]() | Giulești |
19:30 | Munteanu ![]() M. Ilie ![]() R. Ilie ![]() Grameni ![]() Danciu ![]() |
Report | Stadium: ) |
22 March 2024 Tiranë | ||||
17:00 | Report | Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Referee: Michal Očenáš (Slovakia) |
26 March 2024 Tiranë | ||||
17:00 | Shpendi ![]() |
Report | Surdez ![]() Sanches ![]() Keller ![]() |
Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Referee: Adam Ladebäck (Sweden) |
7 June 2024 2025 UEFA Q | Montenegro ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Podgorica |
20:00 | Franeta ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Podgorica City Stadium Referee: Jonathan Lardot (Belgium) |
11 June 2024 Friendly | Albania ![]() | 4–0 | ![]() | Durrës |
19:00 | Pajaziti ![]() Rashica ![]() Maksuti ![]() Kurtulan ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Niko Dovana Stadium Referee: Florjan Lata (Albania) |
6 September 2024 2025 UEFA Q | Switzerland ![]() | v | ![]() |
15 October 2024 2025 UEFA Q | Albania ![]() | v | ![]() |
Players
Current squad
- The following players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2025 qualification match against Montenegro and the friendly match against Liechtenstein U-23 on 7 and 11 June 2024 respectively.[8]
- All caps and goals as of 11 June 2024 after match against Liechtenstein U-23.
- 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Klidman Lilo | 31 January 2003 | 8 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Endri Dema | 17 April 2004 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Anxhelo Sina | 7 January 2004 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Paulo Buxhelaj | 1 May 2003 | 12 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Ajdi Dajko | 28 October 2002 | 11 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Geralb Smajli | 16 May 2002 | 10 | 1 | ![]() | |
DF | Agan Mjaki | 10 March 2003 | 8 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Elmando Gjini | 28 August 2002 | 6 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Marçelino Preka | 2 August 2003 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Ermis Selimaj | 25 May 2004 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Adrion Pajaziti | 16 November 2002 | 13 | 7 | ![]() | |
MF | Arda Kurtulan | 19 November 2002 | 13 | 2 | ![]() | |
MF | Rei Pecani | 8 May 2002 | 6 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Rejan Alivoda | 5 June 2003 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Klevi Qefalija | 12 December 2003 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Arlind Rexhepi | 28 July 2003 | 8 | 1 | ![]() | |
FW | Ardit Nikaj | 24 March 2002 | 8 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Ermir Rashica | 24 March 2004 | 5 | 1 | ![]() | |
FW | Erald Maksuti | 10 May 2004 | 1 | 1 | ![]() |
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 | Renato Beqaj | 22 June 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Simon Simoni | 14 July 2004 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Brajan Lenja | 19 January 2004 | 0 | 0 | Albanët
|
v. ![]() |
GK | Arbër Jata | 3 December 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Adrian Bajrami | 5 April 2002 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Ysni Ismaili | 13 March 2002 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Edon Pruti | 8 April 2002 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Brayan Boci | 24 July 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Reild Kurti | 17 October 2002 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Elvir Zukaj | 7 July 2002 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Behar Ismaili | 26 April 2005 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Leandro Frroku | 3 September 2003 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Feta Fetai | 11 May 2005 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Medon Berisha | 21 October 2003 | 12 | 3 | Lecce
|
v. ![]() |
MF | Dejvid Janaqi | 21 July 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Elion Jashari | 9 August 2005 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Tim Civeja | 4 January 2002 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Eniss Shabani | 29 May 2003 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Stiven Bibo | 26 September 2003 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Enis Asani | 30 July 2004 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Antonio Delaj | 6 September 2003 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Stiven Shpendi | 19 May 2003 | 13 | 5 | Empoli
|
v. ![]() |
FW | Cristian Shpendi | 19 May 2003 | 7 | 1 | Cesena
|
v. ![]() |
FW | Eljon Toçi | 9 January 2003 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Dion Berisha | 9 May 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Steven Bala | 19 November 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Rrok Toma | 27 February 2004 | 0 | 0 | AlbinoLeffe
|
v. ![]() |
|
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff:[9]
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | ![]() |
Assistant coach | ![]() |
Goalkeeping coach | ![]() |
Athletic coach | ![]() |
Team doctor | ![]() |
Physiotherapists | ![]() |
Physiotherapists | ![]() |
Base materials | ![]() |
Balkan Youth Championship
Balkan Youth Championship record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
1976–1978 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 6 |
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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
- Winners (2): 1978, 1981
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- 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
- ^ Balkan Youth Championship 1976 RSSSF
- ^ Second leg of the Balkan Youth Championship final RSSSF
- ^ Balkan Youth Championship 1968–1981 RSSSF
- ^ "Hungary-Albania | Under-21 2014/15".
- ^ "Dämpfer für Österreichs U21 - 1:3 daheim gegen Albanien".
- ^ "Albania-Hungary | Under-21 2016/17".
- ^ "Albania-Greece | Under-21 2016/17".
- Albanian Football Association. 29 May 2024.
- FSHF.org
External links
- Team profile at Soccerway
- Team profile at FSHF.org
- Team profile at UEFA.com