Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Italyvs.Albania

sportsmole.co.uk, 13 June 2024, 17:06
Making only a second major tournament appearance, Albania kick off their Euro 2024 campaign on Saturday evening, when they meet Italy in Dortmund.

The Group B outsiders are expected to have the most support, with over 50,000 Albanian fans set to descend on Westfalenstadion in hope of seeing a shock success for their national team - far more than UEFA's official ticket allocation.

Among Sylvinho's 26-man squad are no fewer than 10 men that play their club football in either the Italian first or second tier, including captain Berat Djimsiti, who recently won the Europa League with Atalanta BC.

Influential midfielder Kristjan Asllani played a minor role in Inter Milan's Serie A title triumph last term, while defensive duo Elseid Hysaj and Marash Kumbulla have both earned their living on the Italian peninsula for several years now.

Empoli goalkeeper Etrit Berisha is locked in a battle with Brentford back-up Thomas Strakosha to start between the posts, behind a probable four-man defence.

Despite failing to impress on loan at Fulham following a serious injury, Armando Broja is set to start up front; fellow striker Sokol Cikalleshi did not miss a game in qualifying but announced his international retirement after being omitted from the Euros squad.

Broja should be supported by Sassuolo playmaker Nedim Bajrami and South Korea-based winger Jasir Asani, the latter of whom had never been called up before the qualifiers, during which he scored three goals.

Albania possible starting lineup: E. Berisha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani; Asani, Bajrami, Seferi; Broja

Top News

21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk PSV Eindhoven have reportedly placed a valuation of around €35m (£29m) on Jerdy Schouten amid suggestions that Barcelona are keen to secure his signature. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia defender Yarek Gasiorowski is reportedly firmly on Real Madrid's radar, with the Spanish and European champions ready to explore a move for him next year. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have revealed that Victor Lindelof has returned to training with the Red Devils, having overcome the toe injury which has kept him out in the early stages of the campaign. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Etihad Stadium plays host to what is being dubbed an early title six-pointer between the two most-fancied teams in the Premier League this Sunday, as champions Manchester City entertain their recent closest challengers Arsenal. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk NY City vs. Inter Miami (Saturday, 7.00pm) Inter Miami can move a step closer to officially claiming the Supporters' Shield crown when they head to Yankee Stadium on Saturday to battle New York City FC. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Konyaspor vs. Sivasspor (Saturday, 3.00pm) Konyaspor will hope to extend their unbeaten run to three matches when they host Sivasspor at Torku Arena in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Utrecht vs. Willem II (Saturday, 3.30pm) Round six of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season sees FC Utrecht go head-to-head against newcomers Willem II at Stadion Galgenwaard on Saturday afternoon. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Heidenheim vs. Freiburg (Saturday, 2.30pm) Heidenheim will be hoping to bounce back from their loss last time out when they host Freiburg on Saturday at Voith-Arena in the Bundesliga. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Venezia vs. Genoa (Saturday, 2.00pm) Still in search of their first win since returning to Serie A, Venezia welcome Genoa to Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Saturday. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valladolid vs. Real Sociedad (Saturday, 1.00pm) Real Sociedad will be bidding to record just their second La Liga victory of the 2024-25 campaign when they head to Estadio Jose Zorrilla on Saturday afternoon to tackle Real Valladolid. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ross County vs. St Johnstone (Saturday, 3.00pm) Ross County, aiming to build upon their first Scottish Premiership win from last weekend, will welcome St Johnstone to the Global Energy Stadium this Saturday afternoon. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Norwich vs. Watford (Saturday, 12.30pm) Norwich City play host to Watford on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that could take them into the top half of the Championship standings. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 12.30pm) Seeking to win their third successive Premier League away game, Chelsea travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham United on Saturday lunchtime. 21 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Sunday, Tottenham Hotspur Women will kick off their Women's Super League campaign with a home clash against Crystal Palace Women. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool Women will get their Women's Super League campaign up and running when they play host to Leicester City Women on Sunday. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayer Leverkusen were triumphant in their Champions League return last Thursday and will be hoping to win their third consecutive game on Sunday when they host Wolfsburg at BayArena in their fourth Bundesliga match of the season. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Pauli will aim to pick up their first points of the season on Sunday when they host RB Leipzig at Millerntor-Stadion in the Bundesliga. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Stuttgart will hope to earn their second win of the Bundesliga season against Nuri Sahin's Borussia Dortmund on Sunday at MHPArena. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is supposedly giving consideration to an exit from the Emirates Stadium in January amid his injury torment. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United supposedly failed with an attempt to bring Xavi Simons to Old Trafford over the summer before his loan return to RB Leipzig. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has praised Marcus Rashford for changing his "lifestyle" and "attitude" as he hits a rich vein of form for the Red Devils. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Off the back of two defeats in the space of three days, Heerenveen will go in search of a much-needed lift when they welcome Groningen to the Abe Lenstra Stadion on Sunday. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The inaugural edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup kicks off with a first-round clash between UAE's Al-Ain and New Zealand's Auckland City FC on Saturday, with the hosts entering the tournament as reigning AFC Champions League winners after overcoming formidable opponents like Al Nassr and Al Hilal on their path to victory. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brest return to domestic matters after a historic midweek win when they host Toulouse at the Stade Francis-Le Ble on Sunday. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur could match an unwanted club losing streak should they fall to defeat against Brentford in Saturday's Premier League London derby. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fortuna Sittard will be in for a stern test this Sunday when they host free-scoring PSV Eindhoven at Fortuna Sittard Stadion in gameweek six of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to make it four straight wins in all competitions when they welcome Espanyol to Bernabeu in La Liga on Saturday night. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Adi Hutter's in-form, confident Monaco side welcome Le Havre to the Stade Louis II for a Ligue 1 clash on Sunday afternoon. 20 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will reportedly make an attempt to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new head coach next summer despite Carlo Ancelotti's ongoing success at the helm.