Albania national football team explained

Albania
Badge:Stema e Fanellës së Kombëtares.svg
Badge Size:140px
Association:Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
Confederation:UEFA
Coach:Sylvinho
Captain:Berat Gjimshiti
Most Caps:Lorik Cana (93)
Top Scorer:Erjon Bogdani (18)
Home Stadium:Arena Kombëtare
Fifa Trigramme:ALB
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Filetype:svg
Fifa Max:22
Fifa Max Date:August 2015[1]
Fifa Min:124
Fifa Min Date:August 1997[2]
Elo Max:32
Elo Max Date:1946
Elo Min:118
Elo Min Date:December 1994
First Game: 2–3
(Tirana, Albania; 7 October 1946)
Largest Win: 5–0
(Bastia Umbra, Italy; 12 February 2003)
6–1
(Tirana, Albania; 12 August 2009)
5–0
(Elbasan, Albania; 8 September 2021)
Largest Loss: 12–0
(Budapest, Hungary; 24 September 1950)
Regional Name:European Championship
Regional Cup Apps:2
Regional Cup First:2016
Regional Cup Best:Group stage (2016, 2024)

The Albania national football team (Albanian: Ekipi kombëtar i futbollit të Shqipërisë) represents Albania in men's international football. It is governed by the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF), the governing body for football in Albania. It is a member of UEFA in Europe and FIFA in global competitions. The team's colours reference two national symbols: the double-headed eagle and the country's tricolor. Their supporters are colloquially referred to as the Tifozët Kuq e Zi (Red and Black Fans).

Since its inception as a team, Albania first collected a major tournament trophy in 1946 with the Balkan Cup, followed by the Malta International Football Tournament (2000). At the FIFA World Cup, Albania has campaigned to qualify since their entry into FIFA in 1932. The team has reached the group stage of UEFA European Championship twice (2016, 2024). They have competed in the UEFA Nations League since 2018.

Upon its admission into FIFA ranked 124th, Albania ascended to their peak World Ranking of 22nd in 2015. The country plays their home games in the Arena Kombëtare in their capital city, Tirana.

History

See main article: History of the Albania national football team.

20th century

Although it never played any matches, the Albania national football team existed before the Albanian Football Federation (Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit; FSHF) was created on 6 June 1930. Albania joined FIFA during a congress held between 12 and 16 June. Albania was invited to play in the 1934 World Cup, but did not take part due to logistical problems.[3] Albania played its first international match against Yugoslavia in 1946, which ended in a 3–2 home defeat at Qemal Stafa Stadium.[4] In 1946, Albania also participated for the first time in the Balkan Cup in which Albania won by beating Romania 1–0 in the final.[5] In 1954, Albania was one of the founding members of UEFA. Albania waited until 1962 to compete in a Euro Cup competition, and the reason being Albania got past the first leg against Greece, for political reasons forfeited the game.[6] [7] [8] At the end of the tournament Albania ranked 9th in Europe.[9] [10] [11] Albania participated at the 1964 Summer Olympics in the Men's qualification tournament, and closely lost both matches against Bulgaria in the preliminary round.[12] They would participate for the second and last time at the 1972 Summer Olympics in which they faced Romania at the European qualifiers in the playoffs. Albania would lose both matches narrowly, 2–1 in the first leg and at home in the second leg.[13] [14]

Albania participated for the first time in a qualifying phase of a World Cup in 1966. The team was drawn in the Group 5, finishing in the last position with only one point from six matches. In the qualifiers of UEFA Euro 1968, Albania drew 0–0 against West Germany, denying the Germans a chance to participate in the finals.[15] [16] Albania did not participate in World Cup 1970, UEFA Euro 1976, World Cup 1978 and UEFA Euro 1980 qualifying for unknown political reasons.

After six years without playing any international matches, Albania entered the 1982 World Cup, managing to finish second-to-last in the qualifying stages. For qualifying for the World Cup four years later, Albania beat Belgium in Tirana 2–0 as well as drawing Poland in Mielec 2–2.

21st century

In the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, Albania only beat Greece. For the Euros two years later, Albania beat Russia 3–1 at Loro Boriçi Stadium.[17] This match was also the debut of the German coach Hans-Peter Briegel who led Albania to an undefeated run in home matches. Despite good results, Albania finished in the penultimate spot with only eight points. Albania defeated Greece 2–1 two months after they won Euro 2004.[18]

In Euro 2008 qualifying, Albania defeated Luxembourg twice, and also drew 2–2 with Belarus and 0–0 away with Bulgaria. Albania's Euro campaign ended with a 6–1 loss away to Romania which resulted in the resignation of coach Otto Barić and his assistant.[19] In December 2007, Arie Haan was named Albania's head coach by signing a two-year contract for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Albania won only won match, with seven points from ten matches and Haan was replaced by Josip Kuže in May 2009 following the end of the campaign.[20] However, Kuže failed to lead Albania to better results as the team ended the Euro 2012 qualifying with nine points from ten matches. With Kuže in charge, Albania recorded its second biggest win in history by defeating Cyprus 6–1 at home.[21] Josip Kuže parted ways with Albania after three and a half years, and in December 2011, Italian coach Gianni de Biasi replaced him.[22] Albania was, at one point, second in the 2014 World Cup qualifying group, but then lost to Slovenia and Iceland, as well as at home against Switzerland, and drawing in Cyprus.[23] Albania began UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group I with an emphatic 1–0 away win against Portugal,[24] [25] followed by a 1–1 draw against Denmark at the newly renovated Elbasan Arena.[26] They then beat Serbia 3–0 in a match full of incidents. They finally qualified for a Euro, its first appearance at a major men's football tournament.[27] In the tournament itself, Albania lost 1–0 to Switzerland and 2–0 to hosts France. While they beat Romania 1–0 (their first win against Romania since 1947), the team finished last among the third-placed teams and were eliminated in the group stage.[28]

In 2018 World Cup qualification, Albania was drawn in a group with Spain, Italy, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, and Israel. Despite the difficult draw, they placed third in the group, their best result in history without qualifying for the final tournament. During this time, manager Gianni De Biasi resigned after disputes with the FSHF and was replaced by Christian Panucci.[29] Albania played poorly in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League, winning only once against Israel and losing the return leg as well as both matches against Scotland.[30] Panucci would be sacked after a 2–0 defeat to Turkey in the opening match of UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.[31] Edoardo Reja replaced Panucci as Albania faced home and away series against both 2018 FIFA World Cup champions France and Iceland as well as the return leg against Turkey.[32] In the end, Albania placed fourth in the group, failing to qualify.[33]

Albania qualified for UEFA Euro 2024, their second major tournament.[34] They were drawn into a "group of death" against Spain, Italy, and Croatia, all three opponents being Euros and World Cup medalists. With two losses to Spain and Italy and a draw against Croatia, the team finished at the bottom of their group and did not advance.[35]

Albania is set to compete in the UEFA Nations League B in fall 2024, followed by qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup.

Team image

Nicknames

The team's nickname is commonly known as "Kuqezinjtë" ("The Red and Blacks") During the period before 2016, the national teams of Albania and Kosovo exchanged players with each other due to the complexities of descent brought on by Kosovo's independence, leading supporters to refer to each team as the other team's "reserve" side.[36]

Kits

Albania's uniform colors are red and black, mirroring the nation's flag. The team typically wears red shirts, black shorts and red socks. Away kits are usually all-white, with red and black trimming.

Over the years, the national team has sported kit wear from renowned sportswear brands such as Legea, Puma, Nike and Adidas, to name a few. The partnership with Puma began in 1996 and lasted nine years. Nike outfitted the team during the UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. A collaboration with Adidas followed, in a contract signing which allowed it to manufacture kits for the Euro 2012 qualifiers, as well as the 2014 World Cup and the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

On 24 March 2016, the Albanian Football Federation unveiled a new jersey for the national team players, set to be worn during the forthcoming UEFA Euro 2016 tournament, hosted that year in France. Manufactured by Macron, the jersey redesign, labelled "Triumfi," was conceptualised by Tirana-based studio PIK Creative.[37] [38]

Home stadium

See main article: Arena Kombëtare, Elbasan Arena and Loro Boriçi Stadium.

See also: Qemal Stafa Stadium. For most of Albania's history, the home stadium was Qemal Stafa Stadium in Tirana. Construction started in April 1939 during the Italy regime, lasted for three years but stopped briefly in August 1943 following the fall of fascist regime.[39] The stadium had an Olympic Stadium shape, as idealised by Gherardo Bosio, a young fascist architect from Florence.[40] The stadium's initial capacity was 15,000, due to the fact that Tirana at that time had only 60,000 inhabitants.[40] It was named after Qemal Stafa, a Hero of Albania in World War II.[41] The stadium was inaugurated officially on 7 October 1946 when Albania played its first competitive match against Yugoslavia.[42] Ever since then, a further 130 international matches took place in the stadium, with the last being a friendly against Georgia in November 2015.[43] In 2005, Cecilia de Marco and Elisabetta Lorusso, two young Italian students, called the stadium as "one of the strongest symbols of Italian impact in Albania".[39] In November 2013, Qemal Stafa Stadium was shut down by FIFA for not fulfilling international standards.[44] The stadium's demolition started in June 2016, and it was announced that it would be replaced by Arena Kombëtare.[45]

Albania has played home matches at other venues; outside Tirana, the national team has played matches in Flamurtari Stadium in Vlorë,[46] Tomori Stadium in Berat,[47] Niko Dovana Stadium in Durrës,[48] Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër[49] and Elbasan Arena in Elbasan.[50] In February 2014, renovations for Elbasan Arena (at the time Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium) started.[51] The work lasted for seven months, and the stadium was inaugurated on 9 October when Albania played a friendly match against KF Elbasani's under-19 squad; Albania won the match 17–0.[52] The official inauguration occurred two days later in the Euro 2016 qualifying match against Denmark.[53]

The first international match at Loro Boriçi Stadium was played on 29 March 2003 against Russia, with Albania winning 3–1.[17] In October 2014, Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, promised the reconstruction of the stadium.[54] The stadium's construction started in May 2015 and finished in August 2016.[55] In 2016–17, the stadium served temporary as the home of Kosovo national team, due to stadiums in Mitrovica and Pristina being renovated and not meeting UEFA standards.[56]

Rivalries

Kosovo

See main article: Brotherly derby. This derby is otherwise known as Brotherly derby (Albanian: Derbi vëllazëror), or the Brotherly (Albanian: Vëllazërorja). The documented beginnings of this derby date back to World War II, specifically on 29 November 1942, where they played a friendly match as part of the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the independence of Albania. The match ended with a 2–0 win for Tirana.[57] [58]

Serbia

See main article: Albania–Serbia football rivalry. This football rivalry between Albania and Serbia is mainly due to historical tensions between the two countries. It has been described as "one of the fiercest rivalries in the world". During the Euro 2016 qualifying phase, the Serbian crowd were chanting "kill, kill Albanians"[59] and were throwing flares at Albania, after which there was a clash between the two teams.[60]

Supporters

See main article: Tifozat Kuq e Zi. Tifozat Kuq e Zi (Red and Black Fans) is a non-profit football supporters' association for the Albania national football team and various national team sportive activities.[61] [62] It was founded on 25 December 2003.[61] In cooperation with FSHF, it organises trips for football fans to visit games, and develops and sells merchandise to support itself and fund sporting related projects.

Tifozat Kuq e Zi stands firm in the political view that Albanians should share only one national team and have continuous aspirations to join in one state (Një Komb, Një Kombëtare), i.e. unification of Albania, Kosovo, etc.[63] [64] In this sense, TKZ is joined by different supporters' associations throughout Albanian-speaking regions mainly in Kosovo (Shqiponjat of Peja, Kuqezinjet e Jakoves of Gjakova, Plisat of Prishtina, Torcida of Mitrovica, etc.), North Macedonia (Ballistët of Tetovë, Ilirët of Kumanovë, Shvercerat of Shkupi, etc.) and in Albania itself (Ultras Guerrils of Partizani Tirana, Tirona Fanatics of KF Tirana, Vllaznit Ultras of Vllaznia Shkodër, Ujqërit e Deborës of Skënderbeu Korçë, Shqiponjat of KF Besa Pejë and many other different Albanian fans).[61]

The ongoing dispute between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Football Federation of Albania has been seen as a political intrusion by FIFA and UEFA, which led to the banning of Albania from international sportive activities. FSHF president Armand Duka is highly unwanted by the TKZ who have numerously asked for his resignation believing he is responsible for internal corruption in the Albanian Football Federation.[65] [66] [67] [68]

The TKZ have been praised by many different football players and managers, whom were not just Albanian. One example is with Switzerland's former coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld, who was astonished by how many Albanian fans turned up and how enthusiastic they were in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Switzerland and Albania where the Swiss won 2–0 thanks to goals from Gökhan Inler and Kosovo-born Xherdan Shaqiri. He didn't believe that there was 12,000 Albanian fans in the stands which was more than how many Swiss fans turned up for the game. He stated that "Albanian fans are fantastic and the most passionate fans I have ever seen".[69] During that campaign, TKZ attended all games Albania played apart from a match against Cyprus in Nicosia and were also large in numbers in the away games to Slovenia in Maribor and Norway in Oslo.[70] [71] [72]

Media coverage

Current
Previous
BroadcasterTelevision channelPeriod
Albanian Radio Televisionuntil 2022
Radio Television of Kosovo RTK 1

Results and fixtures

See main article: Albania national football team results (2020–present). The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2024

Coaching staff

See also: List of Albania national football team managers.

Current coaching staff

RoleName
Head coach Sylvinho
Assistant coach(es)
Dorival Guidoni
Athletic coach(es)
Goalkeeping coach
Physiotherapist
Doctor
Masseur
Material base(s)
Osteopath
Team manager
Video analyst

Players

See also: List of Albania international footballers.

Current squad

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up for the team within the last twelve months and are still available for selection.

Notes

Records

See main article: Albania national football team records and statistics.

See also: List of Albania international footballers and List of Albania national football team captains.

[75]

Players in bold are still active with Albania.

Most appearances

width=30pxRankwidth=150pxPlayerwidth=50pxCapswidth=50pxGoalswidth=100pxPeriod
1Lorik Cana9312003–2016
2Elseid Hysaj8622013–present
3Etrit Berisha8102012–present
4Altin Lala7931998–2011
5Klodian Duro7742001–2011
6Erjon Bogdani75181996–2013
Ervin Skela75132000–2011
8Ansi Agolli7332005–2017
Foto Strakosha7301990–2004
10Odise Roshi7152011–2023

Top goalscorers

width=30pxRankwidth=150pxPlayerwidth=50pxGoalswidth=50pxCapswidth=50pxAveragewidth=100pxPeriod
1Erjon Bogdani18751996–2013
2Alban Bushi14671995–2007
3Sokol Cikalleshi13602014–2024
Ervin Skela13752000–2011
5Armando Sadiku12392012–2023
6Hamdi Salihi11502006–2015
Altin Rraklli11631992–2005
8Sokol Kushta10311987–1996
Igli Tare10681997–2007
10Bekim Balaj9482012–2022

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup recordQualification record
YearRoundSquad
1930colspan=7
1934 to 1962colspan=7
19664th6015212
1970colspan=8
19744th6105313
1978colspan=7
19824th8107422
19863rd612369
19904th6006315
19947th12129626
19986th10118720
20025th8107514
20065th124171120
20105th10145613
20145th10325911
20183rd104151013
20223rd106041212
2026colspan=9 rowspan=3
2030
2034
Total00000011424147684200

UEFA European Championship

See main article: Albania at the UEFA European Championship.

UEFA European Championship recordQualifying record
YearRoundSquad
1960colspan=7
1964Round of 16430174
19683rd4013012
19724th611459
1976colspan=7 rowspan=2
1980
19845th8026414
19884th6006217
19925th7106221
19966th102261016
20005th10145814
20044th82241115
20085th122551218
20125th10235714
2016Group stage18th310213Squad2nd8422105
20204th104151614
2024Group stage21st301235Squad1st8431124
2028colspan=7 rowspan=2
2032
TotalGroup stage2/1761144814/17111262659100177

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
League phase**Finals
SeasonYearSquad
2018–19C13rd41031834th 2019colspan=8 rowspan=4
2020–21C41st63218435th 2021
2022–23B23rd40224627th 2023
2024–25B1 2025
Total14446131827thTotal

Summer Olympic Games

Olympic Games recordQualification record
YearResultSquad
1908 to 1936colspan=7
1948 to 1960colspan=7
1964PR200202
1968colspan=7
1972PO200224
1976 to 1988colspan=7
Since 1992colspan=7
Total0/20000002/2400426

Other tournaments

YearRoundSquad
Balkan Cup
1946Champions1st320164Squad
1947Fifth place5th4004213
1948Fifth place5th312010
Malta International Tournament
1998Third place3rd302136
2000Champions1st330050
Bahrain Shoot Soccer Tournament
2002[76] [77] Third place3rd302114
TotalBest: Champions6/6196671827

FIFA rankings

As of December 2022[78]

Legend: Best Ranking
Worst Ranking
Best Mover
Worst Mover

RankYearBestWorst
RankMoveRankMove
66 2022 11 65 1 69 1
66 2021 12 63 3 69 3
66 2020 7 66 3 69 3
66 2019 16 61 2 66 4
60 2018 9 56 2 60 3
62 2017 9 51 9 71 12
49 2016 12 35 5 49 10
38 2015 7 22 15 63 7
58 2014 9 45 25 70 16
57 2013 8 37 16 71 13
63 2012 9 58 17 97 10
74 2011 11 50 23 75 14
65 2010 9 58 13 97 7
96 2009 9 78 3 98 11
81 2008 7 73 19 102 18
80 2007 11 66 11 88 12
87 2006 6 62 20 88 13
82 2005 10 82 7 93 4
86 2004 8 86 5 94 5
89 2003 11 86 13 101 5
93 2002 9 92 4 97 5
96 2001 7 74 1 96 6
72 2000 8 72 13 94 6
83 1999 8 83 15 95 2
106 1998 8 97 14 109 8
116 1997 7 113 8 124 4
116 1996 5 90 6 116 12
91 1995 8 87 13 106 6
100 1994 5 93 9 113 11
92 1993 7 91 1 93 6
86 1992 86 86

Honours

Head-to-head record

style="background: #bbf3bb;" width="20"
Positive balance (more Wins)
Neutral balance (Wins = Losses)
Negative balance (more Losses)
OpponentReference
211041+350%H2H results
7511114+771%H2H results
100104−40%H2H results
6411105+566%H2H results
7007219−170%H2H results
641184+466.66%H2H results
100103−30%H2H results
73221010042%H2H results
210133050%H2H results
512245−120%H2H results
143471017−721%H2H results
10100000%H2H results
10102200%H2H results
201134−10%H2H results
100103−30%H2H results
10100000%H2H results
6222127+533%H2H results
83141114−533%H2H results
10136419−1510%H2H results
301227−50%H2H results
6006119−180%H2H results
413031+225%H2H results
211031+250%H2H results
721468−228%H2H results
9117420−1611%H2H results
153481323−1020%H2H results
1401131038−280%H2H results
156361613+350%H2H results
8215219−1725%H2H results
93241112−133%H2H results
110010+1100%H2H results
620469−333%H2H results
500529−70%H2H results
10100000%H2H results
431062+475%H2H results
7511139+171%H2H results[80] [81]
50506600%H2H results
5500120+12100%H2H results
621377033%H2H results
731387+142%H2H results
10244712−520%H2H results
8521143+1162%H2H results
100104−40%H2H results
8620173+1475%H2H results
330092+7100%H2H results
H2H results*
10100000%H2H results
400417−60%H2H results
9225513−822%H2H results
512256−120%H2H results
152 3101020−107%H2H results
7115513−814%H2H results
320153+266%H2H results
401326−40%H2H results
1933131245−3315%H2H results
H2H results*
210145−150%H2H results
200206−60%H2H results
4400130+13100%H2H results
10101100%H2H results
7115715−814%H2H results
712426−414%H2H results
9009332−290%H2H results
6114511−620%H2H results
7016412−80%H2H results
124261413+133%H2H results
6015413−90%H2H results
110010+1100%H2H results
110050+5100%H2H results
412123−125%H2H results
68 nations39010881201381588−20727.83%All H2H results
Notes

See also

Notes and references

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA World Ranking August 2015 . 7 July 2021 . 3 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211003185843/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men?dateId=id11174 . live .
  2. Web site: FIFA World Ranking August 1997 . 7 July 2021 . 12 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210712221421/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men?dateId=id42 . live .
  3. Web site: Official RSSSF Site Covering the History of Albanian Football from 1913 until the Present .
  4. Web site: International football match Albania vs Yugoslavia report. EU-Football.info. 15 October 2019. 17 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117112921/https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=6383. live.
  5. Web site: Ballkaniada 1946, kur Shqipëria u shpall kampione e Ballkanit. Balkan Cup 1946, when Albania was named champion of Balkan. Sot.com.al. en. 9 October 2016. 15 October 2019. 14 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190214075003/https://sot.com.al/dossier/ballkaniada-1946-kur-shqip%C3%ABria-u-shpall-kampione-e-ballkanit. live.
  6. Web site: "Euro 1964" / Greqia refuzoi nga "ligji i luftës", u kualifikua Shqipëria. "Euro 1964" / Greece refused due to "war law", Albania qualified. Ekskluzive.al. sq. 30 October 2018. 15 October 2019. 15 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191015010148/http://www.ekskluzive.al/euro-1964-greqia-refuzoi-nga-ligji-i-luftes-u-kualifikua-shqiperia/. live.
  7. News: Besnik Dizdari. Ballkaniada 1946: Shqipëria – kampione e Ballkanit ne startin e "Luftës së ftohtë" në Evropë. 2007. Rozafat. 978-99943-979-0-7. 2–10. sq. 5 April 2016.
  8. Web site: The official website for European football .
  9. Web site: Shqipëria në fazën finale? Nuk është hera e parë!. Albania in finale phase, its not the first time. Panorama Sport. sq. 14 October 2015. 15 October 2019. 15 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191015010306/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/shqiperia-ne-fazen-finale-nuk-eshte-hera-e-pare/. live.
  10. Web site: UEFA. Victories of Albania until Euro2016 qualifiers. 17 October 2015. 17 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151017114130/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/teams/team=2/profile/. live.
  11. News: Dr. Armillotta ka të drejtë. 17 October 2015. Panorama-Sport. 15 October 2015. sq. Besnik Dizdari. 18 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151018172258/http://www.panorama-sport.com/dr-armillotta-ka-te-drejte/. live.
  12. Web site: Games of the XVIII. Olympiad – Football Qualifying Tournament . 3 February 2023 . 3 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205402/http://www.rsssf.com/tableso/ol1964q.html . live .
  13. Web site: Besnik Dizdari: E vërteta e pjesëmarrjes së Shqipërisë në Lojërat Olimpike . 7 February 2022 . 5 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220205161343/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/besnik-dizdari-e-verteta-e-pjesemarrjes-se-shqiperise-ne-lojerat-olimpike/ . live .
  14. Web site: Games of the XX. Olympiad – Football Qualifying Tournament . 3 February 2023 . 11 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220711203917/https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1972q.html . live .
  15. Web site: Euro 1968/ Kur Kombëtarja e Shqipërisë eliminonte Gjermaninë. Euro 1968/ When Albania national team eliminated Germany. Opinion.al. sq. 13 May 2016. 15 October 2019. 15 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191015011809/https://opinion.al/euro-1968-kur-kombetarja-e-shqiperise-eliminonte-gjermanine/. live.
  16. Web site: 1967: Risitë e të vërtetave të Shqipëria-Gjermania 0–0…. 1967: The innovations of the truths of Albania-Germany 0–0…. Panorama Sport. sq. 19 December 2017. 15 October 2019. 15 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191015011801/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/1967-risite-e-te-vertetave-te-shqiperia-gjermania-0-0/. live.
  17. News: Flying start for Briegel. UEFA.com. 30 March 2003. 5 April 2016. 8 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308213011/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2004/matches/round=1579/match=69051/postmatch/report/index.html. live.
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