TIRANA, Nov. 16 – Albania’s national football team held two friendlies – with Kosovo and Georgia – ahead of the Euro 2016 finals.
Last Friday’s match in Prishtina was of particular significance as it was the first FIFA-sanctioned match between the two national teams.
Kosovo hosted the Red and Blacks amidst great reception of the fans for the team qualifying for the euro finals. The match concluded with a 2-2 draw.
More than half of the Albanian national team is made up of players with roots in Kosovo, which is not currently allowed to play in international competitions, but which hopes to officially join FIFA next year.
On Monday, Albania played its last match at the Qemal Stafa stadium before it is to be demolished and then rebuilt in a new format and with high international standards. It is expected to be demolished starting in January next year.
In this second match, Albania again drew 2-2 against the Republic of Georgia, scoring its equalizing goal at the last added minutes.
The two matches serve to the Italian coach Giovanni de Biasi to set the names for the 23 players he will collect for the euro finals. He has said he may do one or two other matches in March next year.
President Armand Duka has said they are negotiating with Turkey, but there was no confirmation yet.
