The government head praised the team’s resilience and growth throughout the tournament, saying “regardless of the outcome of the match against Spain, Albania’s new national squad should hold head up after gaining a very precious confidence at the highest sporting level.”

PM Rama emphasized the Red and Blacks determination to secure three points and their pride in representing Albania at the highest sporting level.

With only a few hours to go until Albania versus Spain game in Group B of Euro 2024 in Germany, Rama underlined that “nobody had ever thought that Albania would be still hoping and seeking to qualify for the next round of the European tournament in their third game in Group B dubbed Euro 2024’s ‘Group of Death’”.

Acknowledging the tough competition in earlier matches, Rama highlighted how these experiences have shaped the team’s performance

“Much greater experience of our rivals in the first two games had its influence upon us. Otherwise, Albania’s position could have been much more favorable today. However, this is football and today’s regret could be an experience for tomorrow,” Rama said.

He urged the squad to make the most of every moment in tonight’s game. Despite Spain being seen as their toughest opponent in the group, Rama remained optimistic, noting the team’s unity and the support of passionate fans.

Despite Spain securing the top spot in Group B, Albania remains undaunted by the challenge ahead, knowing a victory would etch their name in European football history.

In a fiercely competitive group that includes reigning champions Italy and World Cup stalwarts Croatia, Albania has showcased resilience and determination.

Supporters wearing Albania’s distinctive red and black colors are expected to paint Dusseldorf with their passion and unwavering support. Their presence inside and outside the stadium promises an electrifying atmosphere, underlining the nation’s deep-seated love for football.

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Economy expert Selami Xhepa said in a media interview that the tournament is positively contributing to the country’s economy.

“It is a lasting celebration. Economic life becomes more cheerful during the year-end holidays and during major events as citizens consume more, tourism consumes more and this creates a positive economic dynamic,” Xhepa said.

However, the economy experts urged businesses to be cautious with their service prices and products strategies to avoid speculations during such events

“Such events provide opportunity and episodes of abuse by rising prices artificially in a bid to yield additional profits. This is certainly a good business strategy, but it also causes somehow a sort of dissatisfaction among consumers when facing artificially high prices,” he said.

Throughout the “Euro 2024” championship, bars and restaurants, as well as numerous “Fan zones” collect significant income.

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Whole team headed to the training ground at 12:00 hrs, officially starting preparations for their Group B game against Spain due to be played in Dusseldorf on Monday, March 24.

Press department at the Albanian Football Federation said that players enjoy great physical conditions and suffer no injuries.

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Qazim Laçi scored at the 11^th minute after heading in a beautiful cross from Jasir Asani at the near post.

Croatia versus Albania line-up:

CROATIA: Livakovic, Juranovic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Majer, Petkovic, Kramaric.

Coach: Zlatko Dalic

ALBANIA: Strakosha, Hysaj, Ajeti, Gjimshiti, Mitaj, Ramadani, Asllani, Laçi, Bajrami, Asani, Manaj.

Coach: Sylvinho

Some 580 police officers from other countries will join German colleagues in carrying out patrols in the host cities, airports, border crossing points, at railway stations and on trains, in addition to the International Police Cooperation Centre that has been set up for the tournament outside the western city of Düsseldorf.

Together with the state-level and municipal authorities and the EURO 2024 organizers, the Federal Germany Police are working to support a safe and trouble-free Euro 2024 tournament. Joint police patrols will support the German police, mediating communication and policing between the German state and football fans from across Europe.

The 16 Albanian police officers have been certified by German Interior Ministry following a training on join patrolling program.

An estimated 2.7 million fans will attend matches in the stadiums, and up to 12 million people are expected to watch in fan zones.

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According to ESPN Albania’s supporters represent the largest travelling contingent of any team other than host nation during the European championship in Germany.

Although Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund’s home stadium, regularly holds over 81,000 spectators for club fixtures, the venue will have a reduced capacity of 62,000 during Euro 2024 and UEFA sources have said that huge numbers of neutral section tickets for the Group B opener have been bought by Albanian fans.

Many Albanian residents in Germany have purchased tickets for the country’s first game in Euro 2024, while reigning European champions Italy are expected to be backed by fewer than 10,000 supporters due to the vast majority of tickets being bought by Albania supporters.

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The Red and Blacks will hold two training sessions at their base camp Sport Centrum Kaiserau.

The national side successfully ended the preparation phase in Austria and the Red and Blacks arrived two days ago in Kamen, a small town near Dortmund, Germany, to begin their preparations for the Euro 2024 finals.

The communication department at the Albanian Football Federation announced Monday that the team will hold first training session at 11:00 a.m. and the second session will take place at 17:00 p.m.

A press conference with one of the players will be held at 13:45 p.m.

Albania’s participation at Euro 2024 is only their second appearance in a major tournament and they face an extremely difficult group against defending champions Italy along with Spain and Croatia in Group B. However, their combined efforts have turned Albania into a stern, tough-to-beat squad.

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The Sport Centrum Kaiserau, where the team is staying, is decorated with red and black colors, the national colors of Albania, creating a lively atmosphere for the team.

Speaking at a press conference, Abania’s midfielder Ylber Ramadani commented on the fantastic atmosphere prevailing within the red and black camp, the competition within the squad and their first Euro 2024 game against Italy in Dortmund on June 15.

“The atmosphere is overwhelming. We arrived in Germany a day ago and we have a day off today. We were extended an incredible reception upon our landing in Germany. It is really an overwhelming feeling,” Ramadani said.

Lecce ‘s defensive midfielder voiced optimism about the team’s first match against Italy, saying the Red and Blacks will Albania will have to do their best and take their chances against defending champions.

“It is a very special game as we will be playing against Europe’s defending champions. We will enter the pitch trying to do our utmost and take our chances for every possible point. We should give 100% ourselves to succeed in our attempts,” Ramadani said.

The midfielder also said that it was a dream that has come true for him to represent the Albanian nation in this major European tournament.

Albania’s participation at Euro 2024 is only their second appearance in a major tournament and they face an extremely difficult group against defending champions Italy along with Spain and Croatia in Group B. However, their combined efforts have turned Albania into a stern, tough-to-beat squad.

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The team, under management of the Brazilian head coach Sylvinho and the technical staff, trained for more than one hour and the training session went normally.

Press service at the Albanian Soccer Federation said that forward Taulant Seferi joined the team and is attending training sessions regularly and is in good physical condition, like the rest of the team.

The squad is scheduled to hold a final training session on Sunday ahead of the first friendly against modest Lichtenstein on Monday, June 3, at Haladas stadium in Hungary at 20:00 hrs.

Earlier this week, Albania’s Brazilian head coach Sylvio Mendes Campos Júnior (Sylvinho) has named his provisional 28-man squad for Euro 2024.

After the preparatory phase, Sylvinho will have to cut down to 26 for the finals in Germany. Albania’s national side will take on Italy in their first Euro 2024 game on June 15 in Dortmund.

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Two strikers, namely Sokol Cikalleshi and Myrto Uzuni, who have had a crucial role in Albania’s World Cup qualifiers, have been left out of the provisional list. However, the list includes new entries like Arbër Hoxhaj and Rey Manaj, as well as Medon Berisha, captain of Albania’s U21 national team. Defender Marash Kumbulla has also been included in the provisional list, despite an unsuccessful season following an injury that left him out of action for six months.

After the preparatory phase, Sylvinho will have to cut down to 26 for the finals in Germany. Albania’s national side will take on Italy in their first Euro 2024 game on June 15 in Dortmund.

Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha, Elhan Kastrati, Simon Simoni, Thomas Strakosha

Defenders: Naser Aliji, Arlind Ajeti, Ivan Balliu, Berat Gjimshiti, Elseid Hysaj, Ardian Ismajli, Marash Kumbulla, Enea Mihaj, Mario Mitaj

Midfielders: Amir Abrashi, Kristjan Asllani, Nedim Bajrami, Medon Berisha, Klaus Gjasula, Qazim Laçi, Ernest Muçi, Ylber Ramadani

Forwards: Jasir Asani,  Armando Broja, Mirlind Daku, Arbër Hoxha, Rey Manaj, Taulant Seferi

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