Albania national under-15 football team

The Albania national under-15 football team is the national under-15 football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania and was founded in 2009.

Albania U15
Nickname(s)Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
AssociationFederata Shqiptare e Futbollit – FSHF
(Albanian Football Association)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachArmand Dama
CaptainEndri Çelaj
Most capsJurgen Vatnikaj
Top scorerEndri Çelaj (5)
Home stadiumElbasan Arena
Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA codeALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
First international
 Albania 2–0 Liechtenstein 
(venue unknown; 17 October 2009)
Biggest win
 Albania 2–0 Liechtenstein 
(venue unknown; 17 October 2009)
Biggest defeat
 Albania 1–2 Montenegro 
(USB Arena, Nyon; 19 October 2009)

History edit

The Albania under-15 were founded in 2009 for participating in the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics (Football) and the head coach was appointed Sulejman Demollari, former and last native coach of Albania senior side until 2002.[1] Albania under-15 played their first match against Liechtenstein in the semi-final qualification round on 17 October 2009 winning 2–0 with goals scored by Jurgen Vatnikaj and Enes Hoxha.[2] Albania under-15 advanced to the final where they faced Montenegro on 19 October 2009. However, they lost 1–2, missing their participation in the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics finals.[3]

2010 Summer Youth Olympics (Football) qualification round edit

17 October 2009 2010 Summer Youth Olympics (Football) qualification Albania   2–0   Liechtenstein
15:00 (UTC+2) Vatnikaj   46'
E.Hoxha  
Report
19 October 2009 2010 Summer Youth Olympics (Football) qualification Albania   1–2   Montenegro Nyon, Switzerland
17:00 (UTC+2) Ymeralilaj   68' Report Stadium: USB Arena
Referee: Artyom Kuchin (Kazakhstan)

Squad edit

COACH:   Sulejman Demollari

The following players participated in the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics (Football) qualification round.[3][2][4]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Aldo Teqja (1995-05-04)4 May 1995 (aged 14) 2 0   Dinamo Tirana
12 1GK Arlindo Pllumbi (1995-04-16)16 April 1995 (aged 14) 0 0   Teuta Durrës

2DF Erion Hoxhallari (1995-10-15)15 October 1995 (aged 14) 2 0   Tirana
2DF Kristi Marku (1995-04-13)13 April 1995 (aged 14) 2 0   Teuta Durrës
2DF Adelaid Thaci (1995-01-27)27 January 1995 (aged 14) 2 0   Shkëndija Tiranë
2DF Klaudio Çema (1995-04-22)22 April 1995 (aged 14) 0 0   Partizani Tirana

6 3MF Enes Hoxha (1995-02-26)26 February 1995 (aged 14) 2 1   Udinese
3MF Stelios Nitsios (2002-01-25)25 January 2002 (aged 7) 2 0   Agrotikos Asteras
3MF Mikelanxhelo Bardhi (1995-01-08)8 January 1995 (aged 14) 2 0   Iliria
3MF Klodian Nuri (1995-07-23)23 July 1995 (aged 14) 2 0   Shkëndija Tiranë
3MF Frenki Milori (1995-10-06)6 October 1995 (aged 14) 1 0   Olimpic
3MF Uliks Tirana (1995-12-21)21 December 1995 (aged 13) 1 0   Shkëndija Tiranë
3MF Senad Sallaku (1995-10-08)8 October 1995 (aged 14) 0 0   Partizani Tirana
3MF Xhuljo Tabaku (1995-06-03)3 June 1995 (aged 14) 0 0   Olimpic

8 4FW Jurgen Vatnikaj (1995-08-08)8 August 1995 (aged 14) 2 1   Partizani Tirana
4FW Franc Ymeralilaj (1995-01-14)14 January 1995 (aged 14) 2 1   Rodos
4FW Aleksandro Cakalli (1995-08-27)27 August 1995 (aged 14) 2 0   Olimpic
4FW Arlind Kalaja (1995-12-27)27 December 1995 (aged 13) 1 0   Vllaznia Shkodër
4FW Leonard Culi (1995-03-04)4 March 1995 (aged 14) 1 0   Tirana

Refoundation edit

On 25 July 2016 the Albanian Football Association announced to have planned a "reborn" of the Albania under-15 starting with several selection in August, principally for youth talents in Italy on 11 & 12 August and in Greece on 13 August.[5] On 28 September 2016 Albania U-15 had a gathering in the national team training center Kamëz, Tirana, Albania for two days. Alessandro Recenti coach, had accumulated nearly 35 players who were selected from collections made in Greece and Albania.[6] Following the departure of Alessandro Recenti, on 27 January 2017 Albanian Football Association appointed Eqerem Memushi as the under-15 head coach to take the vacant place.[7] Following a 3-months selection in some zones around Albania, on 28 April 2017 an under-15 squad was contoured with 20 players which participated in a 5 days gathering between 9–13 May 2017.[8] A week after, the under-15 team started another gathering in Durrës, Albania between dates 17–19 May 2017 with a squad which contained 21 players.[9] They made their first gathering to play their first matches since refoundation in September 2017 for the double friendly matches against Montenegro U15 on 28 & 30 September 2017.[10] They lost the first match at Reshit Rusi Stadium, Shkodër, Albania 0–4.[11]

Results and fixtures edit

2017 edit

Players edit

Current squad edit

COACH:   Eqerem Memushi

The following players were called up for the double friendly matches against Montenegro U15 on 28 & 30 September 2017.[10]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Berdan Qikaleshi (2003-02-19) 19 February 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Akademia e Futbollit
1GK Redon Gega (2003-06-15) 15 June 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Pepa

2DF Julian Sinaj (2003-03-22) 22 March 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Flamurtari Vlorë
2DF Endri Xhafa (2003-05-02) 2 May 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Akademia e Futbollit
2DF Ramazan Alla (2003-07-26) 26 July 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Tirana
2DF Frenki Shahaj (2003-03-09) 9 March 2003 (age 21) 0 0   A.F Dinamo
2DF Arber Pengu (2003-05-16) 16 May 2003 (age 20) 1 0   Pogradeci
2DF Elsamed Burgaj (2003-09-06) 6 September 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Lapraka
2DF Admir Murati (2003-09-16) 16 September 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Internacional Tirana

3MF Brajan Katroshi (2003-01-04) 4 January 2003 (age 21) 1 0   Partizani Tirana
3MF Albi Shpuza (2003-02-12) 12 February 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Vllaznia Shkodër
3MF Frenki Koduzi (2003-03-31) 31 March 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Internacional Tirana
3MF Renato Toska (2003-06-01) 1 June 2003 (age 20) 1 0   Fieri
3MF Andrea Lila (2003-08-14) 14 August 2003 (age 20) 1 1   Besa Kavajë
3MF Henri Xhixha (2003-02-16) 16 February 2003 (age 21) 0 0   A.F Dinamo
3MF Eugen Sula (2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 20) 1 0   A.F Dinamo
3MF Ersiad Matmuja (2003-01-09) 9 January 2003 (age 21) 1 0   A.F Dinamo
3MF Ardian Muriqi (2003-02-11) 11 February 2003 (age 21) 1 1   Besa Pejë

4FW Alvi Mezani (2003-01-06) 6 January 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Apolonia Fier
4FW Endri Qehaja (2003-01-26) 26 January 2003 (age 21) 1 0   Teuta Durrës
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4FW Endri Çelaj (2004-01-23) 23 January 2004 (age 20) 3 5   Paris Saint Germain
4FW Nazmi Canga (2005-07-23) 23 July 2005 (age 18) 3 1   Pylaia

Recent call-ups edit

The following players have been called up within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Mario Mara (2002-01-29) 29 January 2002 (age 22) 0 0   Internacional Tirana Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 19 May 2017

DF Erjon Qyra (2003-04-18) 18 April 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Skënderbeu Korçë Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 19 May 2017
DF Luis Lera (2003-06-16) 16 June 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Shkodra Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 19 May 2017
DF Ensi Shyli (2003-07-23) 23 July 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Gramshi Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 19 May 2017

MF Gjergji Kote (2004-08-20) 20 August 2004 (age 19) 0 0   Skënderbeu Korçë Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 19 May 2017

FW Kevin Hysolli (2003-06-04) 4 June 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Skënderbeu Korçë Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 19 May 2017
FW Nino Dhrami 0 0   Gathering, 13 May 2017

Coaching staff edit

Current coaching staff:[12]

Position Name
Head coach   Eqerem Memushaj
Assistant coach   Ardi Bozhani
Goalkeeping coach   Adrian Balla
Team doctor   Besmir Bulku
Physiotherapists   Mishel Topalli

Competitive record edit

Youth Olympic Games edit

Youth Olympic Games Qualification
Year Round Pld W D * L GF GA Position Pld W D * L GF GA
2010 did not qualify Qualifying stage 2/4 2 1 0 1 3 2
Total: 0/1 Best:- 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 2 1 0 1 3 2

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ FSHF krijon kombetaren U15 - Lajme Archived 2016-08-19 at the Wayback Machine Top Channel
  2. ^ a b U-15 / Shqiperi-Lihtenshtein 2-0 albaniasoccer.com
  3. ^ a b U-15 / Shqiperi - Mali i Zi 1-2 albaniasoccer.com
  4. ^ Lajme: Kombetarja U-15 ne Zvicer per Lojrat Olimpike FutbolliShqiptar.net
  5. ^ Itali dhe Greqi, gati seleksionimet për U-15 Archived 2016-07-28 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
  6. ^ U-15 national team, gathering in Kamëz Archived 2016-10-24 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
  7. ^ FSHF EMERON TRAJNERIN E KOMBETARES U-15 Archived 2017-02-18 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
  8. ^ Konturohet Kombëtarja U-15, ja lojtarët! Archived 2017-12-05 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
  9. ^ KOMBËTARJA U-15, TRAJNERI MEMUSHAJ NIS GRUMBULLIMIN Archived 2017-12-05 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
  10. ^ a b "KOMBËTARJA U-15 NIS GRUMBULLIMIN, TRAJNERI MEMUSHAJ: KAMPIONATI, NJË FURNIZUES I MIRË" [NATIONAL U-15 TEAM BEGINS THE GATHERING, COACH MEMUSHAJ: THE NATIVE CHAMPIONSHIP, A GOOD SUPPLIER] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 25 September 2018. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  11. ^ "U15 humbet në miqësoren e luajtur në Shkodër ndaj Malit të Zi" [U15 lost in the friendly match played in Shkodër against Montenegro] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 28 September 2017. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  12. ^ Kombëtarja U-15 (Albania national under-15 team) FSHF.org