This opening point sets a positive tone for Group B. The red and blacks look ahead to their next challenge on August 24 at 21:00 against Kosovo. Albania aims for their first win of the tournament to keep their medal hopes alive.

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Work at the “Arena e Demave” stadium is on track, featuring a new hybrid pitch that meets international standards. Crews have removed the old artificial turf, rebuilt the foundation, and added a modern irrigation system. Natural grass and hybrid turf will soon be installed, with the field expected to host official matches in a few months.

As work on the stadium progresses, the Albanian Football Association is also upgrading the two training fields at the “Arena e Demave” complex. These fields will support teams during the 2027 U-21 European Championship and boost local football over the long term.

This project is part of a wider Albanian Football Association program to update national sports facilities, meet UEFA standards, and provide modern spaces for international matches, local events, and player training. /p.s./

The match will be played in Antalya, Türkiye, following an agreement between the Albanian and Japanese football federations. Kick-off time and venue details will be announced in the coming days.

FSHF said it is also in talks to arrange an additional friendly for the U-21 side during March.

Albania U-21 will play only friendly matches until the 2027 European Under-21 Championship, having qualified automatically as one of the tournament’s host nations.

The fixtures are seen as key preparation for coach Alban Bushi and his staff, providing an opportunity to assess player fitness, build team cohesion and test new options ahead of the European Under-21 Championship 2027.

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The meeting was attended by UEFA representatives, as well as specialists and officials from various Federation departments directly involved in organising the international tournament.

Discussions focused on key organisational aspects, including marketing and communications strategy, public relations, logistics, operational management and the planning and use of social media platforms.

UEFA representatives shared guidance and best practices on organisational standards, while FSHF officials presented progress to date and outlined concrete plans for the next phases of preparation.

The meeting marked another step in preparations for Euro 2027 Under-21, with the Albanian Football Federation reaffirming its commitment to delivering the tournament in line with UEFA’s highest standards.

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The goals scored by Steven Shpendi and Arlind Rexhepi determined this important challenge for the Red and Blacks hopes.

The match ended with the score 1-2. Coach Alban Bushi’s Red and Blacks made a good start in this qualifying campaign in Armenia.

On September 12, Albania will host Romania at the “Elbasan Arena” stadium with the match scheduled to start at 18:30. /r.e/p.s./

On Saturday, the coach of the Albanian team appeared at a press conference where he spoke about the Reds and Blacks’ opponents in this group as well as Albania’s objectives in the qualifiers for EURO 2025.

“I think it is a relatively strong and balanced group. We are a modest team, but we are strong when we come together playing as a team. We have every chance to qualify”.

“Group E is an interesting group, I think there will be many draws. We are focused on the first match against Armenia”, he added.

“We also have our problems. The biggest problem is the concentration of the players, a Balkan problem, in fact. We will gather in March in Antalya to prepare to do something different. We will play four friendly matches. I am very confident that we will have many other new players in the team”, said among other things Coach of Albania U-21 Alban Bushi. /m.m/p.s./

The press office in the Albanian Football Association said that the list of U-21 players has changed again with midfielder of Apolonia Mateo Shanaj joining the team. The 19-year-old has been put under the orders of the coach since Friday to continue training for the coming two challenges of the red and blacks.

Meanwhile, it has already decided that striker Armando Broja will move to the U-21 National Team for the first match against Andorra, valid for the European 2023 qualifiers. The striker will play the first match with the U-21 and then will be ready to join the National team for the second friendly against the Czech Republic, set to be played in Prague on June 8. /j.p/r.e/p.s./