West, also known by his stage name Ye, is due to perform on Friday evening at the temporary venue built along the Tirana-Durrës highway, with tens of thousands of spectators expected to attend.

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja shared images on social media showing crowds gathering as the atmosphere built across the Albanian capital.

“All roads lead to the concert. The atmosphere has begun and fans and tourists from different countries are heading to Eagle Stadium for one of the biggest musical nights in Tirana. Tirana is ready,” Gonxhja wrote.

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About 35,000 red and black fans are expected to be on the stands of the stadium.

Meanwhile, Albanian and Spanish fans celebrated together in the streets of Düsseldorf and the fan zones that have been set up in Burgplatz and Schauspielhaus, while the atmosphere is electrifying despite the fact that the teams come to this match with different objectives.

For Albania, this challenge is like a final, as a victory would qualify it beyond the group stage for the first time in history. Meanwhile, Spain comes to this challenge as the first team qualified in group B with 6 points and is expected to go on the pitch with the reserve players.

Thousands of Albanians are in Düsseldorf decorating the western German city with red and black colors.

Thousands of fans dressed in red and black, the colors of the national flag danced with drums, folk clothes and red and black flags in the streets of the German city.

The stadium doors for the fans will open 3 hours before the start of the match.

All the fans who will follow the match from the stadium must respect the rules set by UEFA. To avoid any kind of problems and penalties, all fans must avoid lighting flares during the match, throwing objects on the field, broadcasting messages of a non-sporting nature (political, ethnic, etc.) as well as interrupting the match.

Those without tickets can enjoy the match in Fan Zones set up by UEFA.

This is Albania’s ninth match against Spain. /p.s./

The matches played by the Red and Black National Team have receive special attention.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media moments from the atmosphere created by the fans in Saranda.

Being in Saranda to spend the summer holidays, the tourists of different nationalities have also had the opportunity to enjoy the matches of their national teams on the screens placed by the municipality of Saranda along the promenade, but also in local businesses.

Albania has played two matches so far; the one versus Italy ended 2-1 for the neighboring country’s team and the match versus Croatia that ended in a 2-2 draw.

The last group match for Albania is on June 24 in Dusseldorf against Spain./k.s/p.s./

The Red and Blacks play versus Croatians who, like Albania, have lost in the first match.

“Red and black Hamburg”, wrote Rama. “Respect and gratitude to all the Albanians who are playing the role of the 12th player of the National Team wonderfully, not only on the steps of the European stadiums, but also on the streets of Germany, making great impressions on the German and non-German public opinion alone and doing the best promotion for Albania Tourism”, PM Rama concluded his post.

The match between Albania and Croatia played at 15 hrs. is vital for both national representatives, as the team that loses officially gets eliminated from the competition, while in case of victory, the representative that gets the three points will have a chance of qualifying for the 1/16 round in the last challenge of group B.

Group B standing and fixtures

Standing:

Spain 3 points

Italy 3 points

Albania 0 points

Croatia 0 points

First matches:

Italy-Albania 2-1

Spain-Croatia 3-0

Second matches:

Croatia-Albania at 15:00

Italy- Spain Thursday 21:00

Third matches:

Albania, Spain

Croatia-Italy

/p.s./

According to the Association, such messages are absurd and confirm hatred with which the public opinion in Serbia is nourished against its neighbors”.

Kosovo Association has requested strict disciplinary measures against the Football Association of Serbia, as repeat offenders of such cases.

“The display of such banners in future matches is a serious violation of UEFA rules”, the reaction further stated.

The Association emphasized that calls against the state of Kosovo in a major event like EURO2024 are a motivation for nationalist groups and threaten the fragile security of the region.

Kosovo Football Association stands strongly in defense of the values ​​of football and the promotion of what UEFA represents: unity, inclusiveness and passion for the game of football, but at the same time it resolutely protects the dignity of the state, which was created with a lot of effort and sacrifice.

“We appeal to UEFA that persons with conduct and philosophy of hatred towards another people and country should not have a place in football arenas. “Football and events such as EURO2024 should not serve chauvinists and racists to promote the language of hate,” is read at the end of the reaction. /KosovaPress/p.s./

In a reaction in the social media, Rama wrote that, “The Yellow Wall of the Borussia Dortmund will be replaced for one night by the Red and Blacks Wave”. He was referring to the largest fan stand of any stadium in Europe that will be crowded with Albanian numerous fans.

“Of course! 50 thousand Albanians and 31 thousand fans of the Italian team on the steps of the famous Dortmund arena tomorrow, where Borussia’s Yellow Wall will be replaced for one night by Red and Blacks Wave “, wrote Rama.

According to the prime minister, “Albania has won its own European Championship and has nothing left to lose”.

“Therefore, whatever the score of the match, Saturday evening will remain not only in the history of Albanian football, but also in the memory of 10 million Albanians”, wrote Rama.

Although Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund’s home stadium, has a capacity of over 81,000 spectators for the club’s matches, it will have a reduced capacity of 62,000 during EURO2024 and UEFA sources said that a large number of neutral section for the opening match of Group B were bought by Albanian fans.

Many Albanian residents in Germany have bought tickets for the country’s first appearance at a major tournament since EURO 2016, while reigning European champions Italy are expected to be supported by fewer than 10,000 fans, as the vast majority of tickets are bought by Albanian fans. /m.m/r.e/p.s./

Meanwhile, the State Police has signed a cooperation agreement with the German Federal Police regarding the contribution that Albania will make to the success of this year’s largest European sports event.

Minister Balla thanked the German government for its continuous support also in the context of assistance to the Police (with a special focus on RENEA, the National Security Force, the Border Police, etc.) and asked the leaders of the State Police to take responsibility for joint commitments also in within EURO 2024.

Ambassador Bergner and Minister Balla confirmed that Albanian fans are the third in the ranking, after German and English ones, for the number of tickets bought for the 51 matches of this football championship.

At the end of this meeting, the minister and German ambassador saw closely the tools, equipment and special clothing donated by the German government for RENEA, the National Security Force, the Border Police, etc./p.s./

At 18:00, in “Skënderbej” square, in Tirana, the whole area will be in red and black colors.

Through a video message, Mayor Erion Veliaj extended an invitation to all citizens to join this celebration that also coincides with the qualification of the Albanian National Team in “Euro 2024”.

“We are in the City Hall of Tirana with the organizing group of red and black fans, who, as we have celebrated the successes of the National Team, they also have a 20-year history of success, the most intense, enthusiastic, and support club of our National Team. But, before the holidays start, Christmas and New Year, they have a mega-party tomorrow, Saturday, at 6 pm in “Skënderbej” square, during which we have some surprises with costumes, songs and dances”, said Mayor Veliaj.

There will be many special guests at this party; among them will be Ilir Shaqiri. The latter even comes with a song exclusively dedicated to the Red and Black fans, which is entitled “With you, forever Albania”. /m.m/p.s./

At the start of the challenge, the fans of the national team unfurled a giant flag of Albania in the front stand.

All the fans in the stadium wore the red and black colors showing their pride at the qualification into the finals of the European Championship Germany 2024 next June.

Although the National Team has already qualified for the final stage of Euro 2024 in Germany, next June, the objective remains ranking first in the group. Therefore, Albania is looking for victory tonight in the crowded stadium.

Albania leads Group E with 14 points, while the Faroe Islands is in last place with 1 point. In second place, there is the Czech Republic with 12 points, followed by Poland with 11 points and Moldova with 10 points.

Meanwhile, the State Police has taken all measures to guarantee order and security, before, during and after the sports event, so that that the festive atmosphere of this evening is not marred by any incident.

The State Police issued a press release appealing to fans, sports fans and all citizens to follow the instructions of the Police.

The police earlier announced the road measures taken and rules for entering the stadium, appealing to fans not to try to bring any illegal items into the stadium, as control will be strict, just as it has been done at other international matches.

Also, the Police has taken all measures for the celebrations that will take place after the match, in the squares, bars and in the streets of the country; therefore, it asks for the good understanding of all citizens, to celebrate in a civilized way, to seal this victory of our national team with the stamp of the most positive image of the country./r.e/p.s./

Even if you are unable to run the 42 km marathon distance, you still have the opportunity to be part of this great celebration as a fan.

The Municipality of Tirana issued a press release explaining several ways in which you can give your support and become part of the atmosphere of this wonderful event.

“You can find a strategic spot, choose a place by the road that is close to the marathon route and where the participants are expected to pass. This allows you to watch and cheer on the athletes. Support the challenge with flags and placards. Get some small flags or other signs of support to show your solidarity with the runners. You can write encouraging messages to encourage them. Smile and feel the energy of the city together with the athletes. If you don’t have flags, don’t forget that your smile, the fame of the marathon, is also a beautiful way to enjoy the events”, is read in a press release of the municipality.

In the meantime, the municipality emphasized, you can photograph the best moments of the marathon and share them in the social media to remember and help in the future in promoting sports and physical activity.

Fans are an important part of marathons because they add extra energy to the athletes and help them to continue the effort on the way to the finish line.

“So, even if you are not a runner, you have an important role in this great event. Join others and create a positive atmosphere that will help all participants experience a wonderful day at the Tirana Marathon”, the press release of the municipality concluded. /k.s/p.s./