Albania 2024 Away Shirt

ALBANIA - AWAY SHIRT 2024

Albania are governed by the Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit, founded in 1930, and are known across the Balkans as Shqiponjat (The Eagles), in tribute to the double-headed eagle at the heart of the national flag. They also answer to Kuqezinjtë (The Red and Blacks). Since 2019 they have played their home matches at the Air Albania Stadium, also called the Arena Kombëtare, in the capital city of Tirana. For a country of fewer than three million people, simply reaching a major tournament is a genuine cause for celebration.

Euro 2024 in Germany, where this smart away shirt was worn, was only the second European Championship Albania had ever qualified for, following their debut at Euro 2016. Sylvinho, the former Arsenal and Barcelona full-back, guided them through qualifying and into a fearsome Group B alongside Spain, Italy and Croatia, quickly labelled the group of death. Albania finished bottom of the section on a single point, yet they went home having given three of Europe's biggest names a real scare.

The tournament began in the most spectacular fashion imaginable. Against defending champions Italy, Nedim Bajrami pounced on a throw-in mistake to score after just 23 seconds, the fastest goal in European Championship history, though Italy recovered to win 2-1. A pulsating 2-2 draw with Croatia followed, rescued when Klaus Gjasula struck a 95th-minute equaliser. A narrow 1-0 defeat to eventual champions Spain in the final group game brought the campaign to a close.

Bajrami's record-breaking strike put Albania on front pages around the world, while Gjasula's late leveller against Croatia, coming soon after he had turned the ball into his own net, captured the spirit of a side who never stopped fighting.

Follow the club on X: @FSHForg