Albania national under-20 football team

Albania under-20
Nickname(s)	Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks); Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
Association	Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Ilias Haxhiraj
Captain	Elmir Lekaj
Most caps	Amir Rrahmani (5); Aldo Teqja; Marvin Turtulli; Klaudio Hyseni; Ilir Kastrati; Enis Gavazaj; Maldin Ymeraj; Valon Ahmedi; Erion Hoxhallari; Arben Muskaj
Top scorer	Ardit Shehaj (1); Amir Rrahmani; Marvin Turtulli; Klaudio Hyseni; Ilir Kastrati; Klodian Gino
Home stadium	Elbasan Arena; Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA code	ALB

The Albania national under-20 football team, also known as Albania U20(s), is the national under-20 football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania.

The under-20 squad is often cited as a feeder squad to the under-21 squad. Most of the player picked for this team are U-21 internationals already.

Because there is no under-20 competition at UEFA level, Albania's under-20 side has generally only competed when it has qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every 2 years. Qualification for this competition is achieved in view of performance at the preceding summer's UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship.

Albania have never played a game with the U-20 squad and the team was only formed after an invitation to play in 2009 Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy. Then Albania under-20 participated in the next tournament 2013 Mediterranean Games in Mersin, Turkey.

In 2017 the Albanian Football Association decided to "reborn" the under-20 side by assigning a Friendly match against Georgia under-20 side on 14 November 2017 at David Petriashvili Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia.^[1]

History[edit]

2009 Mediterranean Games[edit]

Group D[edit]

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Spain	2	1	1	0	5	2	+3	4
Tunisia	2	1	1	0	4	3	+1	4
Albania	2	0	0	2	1	5	-4	0

27 June 2009 2009 Mediterranean Games	Albania	1 – 2	Tunisia	Pescara, Italy
17:00 CET	Shehaj 23'	Report	Ben Messaoud 27' Ayari 35'	Stadium: Stadio Valle Anzuca, Francavilla al Mare Referee: Fırat Aydınus (Turkey)

29 June 2009 2009 Mediterranean Games	Spain	3 – 0	Albania	Pescara, Italy
17:00 CET	Kike 11' Aarón 12' Botía 77'	Report		Stadium: Stadio Valle Anzuca, Francavilla al Mare Referee: Nikola Dabanović (Montenegro)

Squad[edit]

The following players were called up and participated in the 2009 Mediterranean Games football tournament, which began on 25 June in Pescara, Italy.^[2]

COACH: Artan Bushati

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Shpëtim Moçka	(1989-10-20)20 October 1989 (aged 19)	2	0	Flamurtari Vlorë
12	1GK	Ibrahim Bejte	(1989-09-15)15 September 1989 (aged 19)	0	0	Lushnja

4	2DF	Klodian Samina	(1989-01-19)19 January 1989 (aged 20)	2	0	Belasitsa Petrich
2	2DF	Indrit Hithi	(1990-02-05)5 February 1990 (aged 19)	2	0	Partizani Tirana
3	2DF	Ditmar Bicaj	(1989-02-26)26 February 1989 (aged 20)	1	0	Belasitsa Petrich
13	2DF	Renato Malota (Captain)	(1989-06-24)24 June 1989 (aged 20)	2	0	Partizani Tirana
11	2DF	Arsen Sykaj	(1990-04-11)11 April 1990 (aged 19)	1	0	Vllaznia Shkodër

7	3MF	Sokol Cikalleshi	(1990-07-27)27 July 1990 (aged 18)	2	0	Besa Kavajë
5	3MF	Ganiol Kaçuli	(1989-09-22)22 September 1989 (aged 19)	2	0	Elbasani
18	3MF	Orgest Gava	(1990-03-29)29 March 1990 (aged 19)	2	0	Elbasani
14	3MF	Erjon Vuçaj	(1990-12-25)25 December 1990 (aged 18)	2	0	Vllaznia Shkodër
8	3MF	Sabien Lilaj	(1989-02-10)10 February 1989 (aged 20)	2	0	Skënderbeu Korçë
6	3MF	Elham Galica	(1989-01-30)30 January 1989 (aged 20)	0	0	Flamurtari Vlorë
16	3MF	Orjan Xhemalaj	(1989-06-07)7 June 1989 (aged 20)	0	0	Teuta Durrës

17	4FW	Bekim Balaj	(1991-01-11)11 January 1991 (aged 18)	0	0	Vllaznia Shkodër
10	4FW	Vilfor Hysa	(1989-09-09)9 September 1989 (aged 19)	2	0	Teuta Durrës
9	4FW	Ardit Shehaj	(1990-09-23)23 September 1990 (aged 18)	2	1	Flamurtari Vlorë
15	4FW	Alban Dashi	(1989-09-25)25 September 1989 (aged 19)	2	0	Partizani Tirana

2013 Mediterranean Games[edit]

Preliminary round - Group A[edit]

Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Morocco	3	3	0	0	7	2	+5	9
Turkey	3	2	0	1	8	4	+4	6
Albania	3	0	1	2	3	6	−3	1
Bosnia and Herzegovina	3	0	1	2	4	10	−6	1

Source: ^{[citation needed]}

19 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games	Turkey	2–0	Albania	Mersin, Turkey
21:45 CET	Aydın 10' Sazdağı 86'	Report		Stadium: Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadium Referee: Andrea De Marco (Italy)

21 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games	Albania	2–2	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Mersin, Turkey
18:00 CET	Turtulli 61' Rrahmani 73'	Report	Bajić 44' 52'	Stadium: Tarsus Şehir Stadı, Tarsus Referee: Baris Simsek (Turkey)

23 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games	Morocco	2–1	Albania	Mersin, Turkey
21:45 CET	Khaloua 33' (pen.) El Hassouni 58'	Report	Gino 47'	Stadium: Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadium Referee: Alain Bieri (Switzerland)

Classification stage - 5–8 matches[edit]

25 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games	Albania	1–2 (a.e.t.)	North Macedonia	Mersin, Turkey
21:00 CET	Kastrati 85' (pen.)	Report	Kostovski 50' Imeri 6' (extra time)	Stadium: Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadium Referee: Nikola Popov (Bulgaria)

Classification stage - 7th place match[edit]

26 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games	Albania	1–3	Italy	Mersin, Turkey
18:00 CET	Hyseni 82'	Report	Canotto 20' Bollino 47' Gomez 54' (pen.)	Stadium: Tarsus Şehir Stadı, Tarsus Referee: Khalid Ennouni (Morocco)

Players[edit]

Current squad[edit]

The following players were called up for the friendly match.
Match date: 12 June 2021
Opposition: Montenegro

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Leonard Kacaj	(2003-03-19) 19 March 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Vllaznia Pozheran
12	1GK	Simon Simoni	(2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 19)	1	0	Shënkolli
23	1GK	Mario Mara	(2002-01-29) 29 January 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Erzeni

2	2DF	Usni Ismaili	(2002-03-13) 13 March 2002 (age 22)	0	0
3	2DF	Omar Musaj	(2002-04-15) 15 April 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Tirana
4	2DF	Kesli Shani	(2002-12-16) 16 December 2002 (age 21)	1	0	Lokomotiva Zagreb
5	2DF	Mikel Nuhaj	(2002-04-01) 1 April 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Roda JC
6	2DF	Petro Memushi	(2002-01-15) 15 January 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Arezzo
11	2DF	Geralb Smajli	(2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 (age 21)	1	0	Vllaznia Pozheran
13	2DF	Reild Kurti	(2002-10-17) 17 October 2002 (age 21)	1	0	Korabi Debar
14	2DF	Ergi Goga	(2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 (age 21)	1	0	Akademia e Futbollit
21	2DF	Klaudio Bardhi	(2002-04-08) 8 April 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Akademia e Futbollit
22	2DF	Arsen Elbasani	(2002-02-28) 28 February 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Vllaznia Pozheran

7	3MF	Flamur Ruçi	(2002-01-19) 19 January 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Bylis
9	3MF	Rubin Zijaj	(2002-03-11) 11 March 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Apolonia Fier
10	3MF	Xheron Osma	(2003-08-20) 20 August 2003 (age 20)	1	0	Kukësi
15	3MF	Albnor Kaba	(2002-11-24) 24 November 2002 (age 21)	1	0	Shkëndija

8	4FW	Aldi Gjumsi	(2002-03-15) 15 March 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Tirana

Recent call-ups[edit]

The following players have been called up for Albania U20 squad within the past 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Mario Dajsinani	(1998-12-23) 23 December 1998 (age 25)	1	0	Erzeni Shijak	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017
GK	Angelo Tafa	(2000-07-05) 5 July 2000 (age 23)	1	0	AEK Athens	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017
GK	Gentian Selmani	(1998-03-09) 9 March 1998 (age 26)	0	0	Laçi	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 ^PRE

DF	Irlian Ceka	(1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 26)	1	0	Sambenedettese	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017
DF	Amer Duka	(1999-01-21) 21 January 1999 (age 25)	1	0	Laçi	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017
DF	Ded Bushi	(1998-10-02) 2 October 1998 (age 25)	1	0	Laçi	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017

MF	Agim Zeka	(1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 (age 25)	1	0	Varzim	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF	Emir Sahiti	(1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 25)	1	0	Unattached	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF	Agon Mucolli	(1998-09-26) 26 September 1998 (age 25)	1	0	Vejle Boldklub	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF	Marco Hoxha	(1998-09-22) 22 September 1998 (age 25)	1	0	ArzignanoChiampo	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF	Sherif Kallaku	(1998-03-01) 1 March 1998 (age 26)	0	0	Laçi	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 ^PRE
MF	Aleksandro Zaimaj	(1998-01-19) 19 January 1998 (age 26)	0	0	PAE Kerkyra	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 ^PRE

FW	Valdrin Mustafa	(1998-03-11) 11 March 1998 (age 26)	1	0	FC Kaiserslautern	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017
FW	Rubin Hebaj	(1998-07-30) 30 July 1998 (age 25)	1	0	Domžale	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017
FW	Armend Aslani	(1998-06-23) 23 June 1998 (age 25)	1	0	Akademisk Boldklub	v. Georgia, 14 November 2017

Notes

^INJ Withdrew due to injury
^PRE Preliminary squad / standby
^RET Retired from international football
^SUS Suspended from national team

Coaching staff[edit]

Current coaching staff:^[3]

Position	Name
Head coach	Ilir Biturku
Assistant coach	Arjan Bellaj
Goalkeeping coach	Alfred Osmani
Athletic coach	Iris Selimi
Team doctor	Erald Derveni
Physiotherapists	Gledi Rexha
Physiotherapists	Edison Koçi
Base materials	Roland Rarani

Tournament history[edit]

FIFA U-20 World Cup[edit]

Year	Round	GP	W	D*	L	GS	GA
1977	did not qualify
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011^[4]
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021	Cancelled
2023	did not qualify
Total^[5]	0/23	0	0	0	0	0	0

Mediterranean Games - Football[edit]

Football at the Mediterranean Games record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	D	L	GS	GA
2009	Group stage	10th	2	0	0	2	1	5
2013	Group stage	8th	5	0	1	4	5	11
Total	0/2	Best: 8th	7	0	1	6	6	16

References[edit]

^ "NDESHJET E NËNTORIT PËR U-21 DHE U-20" (in Albanian). FSHF. 24 October 2017. Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017. Sektori i Ekipeve kombëtare në FSHF ka tashmë zyrtare edhe daten për ndeshjen miqësore të skuadrës kombëtare U-20, që përfshin lojtarë të datëlindjes U-20, përkatësisht me Gjeorgjinë.
^ Peskara 2009, Shqipëria zbardh listën e futbollistëve - 2009-06-17 Gazeta Start
^ Kombëtarja U-21 (Albania national under-21 team) FSHF.org
^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup - Previous Tournaments". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2009.

External links[edit]

[1] "NDESHJET E NËNTORIT PËR U-21 DHE U-20" (in Albanian). FSHF. 24 October 2017. Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017. Sektori i Ekipeve kombëtare në FSHF ka tashmë zyrtare edhe daten për ndeshjen miqësore të skuadrës kombëtare U-20, që përfshin lojtarë të datëlindjes U-20, përkatësisht me Gjeorgjinë.

[2] Peskara 2009, Shqipëria zbardh listën e futbollistëve - 2009-06-17 Gazeta Start

[3] Kombëtarja U-21 (Albania national under-21 team) FSHF.org

[4] "FIFA U-20 World Cup - Previous Tournaments". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-18.

[5] "FIFA U-20 World Cup". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2009.

[1]

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