Albania and Brazilian coach Sylvinho head to the 2024 European Championship after securing a 1-1 draw against Moldova, with veteran forward Sokol Cikalleshi’s 25th-minute penalty clinching their spot with one round to spare in qualifying.
Albania’s qualification marks just their second appearance at the Euros, outperforming higher-ranked Poland and the Czech Republic. They have secured the 12th spot at the 24-team tournament.
Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts.
Having moved three points ahead of the Czechs, Albania leads their group and looks forward to playing at home against the Faroe Islands on Monday to secure top spot.
Albania’s successful qualifying effort is attributed to coach Sylvinho, a former player at Arsenal and Barcelona, who has led the team to a seven-game unbeaten run since starting the qualifying campaign with a loss in Poland in March.
ALBANIA QUALIFY FOR EURO 2024 Albania have qualified for just their 2nd major tournament in their history after drawing 1-1 with Moldova. Coached by former Barcelona defender Sylvinho, ‘The Eagles’ qualify ahead of higher ranked and .pic.twitter.com/XItJPDNJl3
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) November 17, 2023
READ: Euro 2024 Qualifiers: Italy Inch Closer To Qualification With 5-2 Rout Over North Macedonia
Albania hosts the Faeroe Islands in its final group game on Monday.
Moldova are now in third place, level on 10 points with Poland and a point behind Czech Republic, and can still qualify.