Euro 2024 is now fast approaching, with Germany playing hosts to the latest edition of the European Championship as 24 teams look to lift the famous Henri Delaunay trophy.
Despite an expanded modern tournament these days, the group stages still throw up big meetings from the continent's best – and this year's finals, which kick off on Friday 14th June, is no different.
Group B is arguably the ‘group of death’, with defending champions Italy, 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia and three-time winners Spain all facing off against each other, alongside outsiders Albania.
Euro 2024 tournament guide: Teams, matches, dates, TV channels, odds & more
Football FanCast has put together a guide for all things Euro 2024, with venues, fixtures, tables, stadiums and more all covered here.
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ByStephan GeorgiouJul 16, 2024 Albania
Sylvinho
Berat Djimsiti
66th
30th
Jasir Asani, Nedim Bajrami (3)
Group E winners, 15 points
Group stage (2016)
Albania will be the big underdogs in Group B, however, they could spring a surprise after topping their qualifying group ahead of the likes of Poland and the Czech Republic.
They conceded just four times in eight games during qualifying, with former Brazil left-back Sylvinho the man in charge since 2023. He has plenty of experience to call upon at the back, with Atalanta’s Berat Djimsiti and Lazio’s Elseid Hysaj regulars in helping their country to the major tournament.
Mon 3rd June
Albania 3-0 Liechtenstein
Fri 7th June
Albania 3-1 Azerbaijan
This is actually only Albania’s second-ever appearance at the European Championship, with their previous appearance in 2016 seeing them finish 3rd above Romania after a historic 1-0 win in France.
Albania will have their work cut out from the off against defending champions Italy, and it would be a major shock if they progressed to the last 16 despite their decent run of results that have got them this far.
Position
Player
Club
Goalkeeper
Etrit Berisha
Empoli
Goalkeeper
Elhan Kastrati
Cittadella
Goalkeeper
Thomas Strakosha
Brentford
Defender
Arlind Ajeti
CFR Cluj
Defender
Naser Aliji
Voluntari
Defender
Ivan Balliu
Rayo Vallecano
Defender
Berat Djimsiti
Atalanta
Defender
Elseid Hysaj
Lazio
Defender
Ardian Ismajli
Empoli
Defender
Marash Kumbulla
Sassuolo
Defender
Enea Mihaj
Famalicao
Defender
Mario Mitaj
Lokomotiv Moscow
Midfielder
Amir Abrashi
Grasshoppers
Midfielder
Kristjan Asllani
Inter
Midfielder
Nedim Bajrami
Sassuolo
Midfielder
Medon Berisha
Lecce
Midfielder
Klaus Gjasula
Darmstadt
Midfielder
Qazim Laci
Sparta Prague
Midfielder
Ernest Muci
Besiktas
Midfielder
Ylber Ramadani
Lecce
Forward
Jasir Asani
Gwangju
Forward
Armando Broja
Fulham
Forward
Mirlind Daku
Rubin Kazan
Forward
Arber Hoxha
Dinamo Zagreb
Forward
Rey Manaj
Sivasspor
Forward
Taulant Seferi
Baniyas