Albania national under-18 football team

Albania Under-18
Nickname(s) Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
Association Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Most caps Artur Lekbello (8)
Sokol Kushta
Top scorer Sokol Kushta (6)
Home stadium Elbasan Arena
Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA code ALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
First international
Albania 4–0 Cyprus
(Tirana, Albania; 10 March 1982)
Biggest win
Albania 4–0 Cyprus
(Tirana, Albania; 10 March 1982)
Biggest defeat
Slovakia 4–0 Albania
(Nymburk, Czech Republic; 16 October 1997)
UEFA European Under-18 Championship
Appearances 1 (first in 1982)
Best result Group stage

The Albania national under-18 football team represents Albania in international football at this age level and is controlled by Albanian Football Association, the governing body for football in Albania.

The Albania U18 football team is a feeder team of Albania U19.

The team competed in the UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship, but after the rule change in 2000s, the event had an age limit of 19.

History

1982 UEFA European Under-18 Championship

Main article: 1982 UEFA European Under-18 Championship

First round

Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Albania
Demollari 12' 14'
Zacharias (o.g.)
Kushta 75' 		4–2 Cyprus 4–0 0–2

Second round - Group D

Teams Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Scotland 3 2 1 0 6 1 +5 5
Netherlands 3 2 1 0 7 3 +4 5
Turkey 3 0 1 2 2 6 –4 1
Albania 3 0 1 2 2 7 –5 1


21 May Scotland 3–0 Albania
23 May Netherlands 3–1 Albania
25 May Turkey 1–1 Albania

Squad

COACH: Bahri Ishka

The following players participated in the tournament.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
GK Halim Mersini 22 September 1961 (aged 20) 3 0 Shkëndija Tiranë
DF Hysen Zmijani 29 April 1963 (aged 19) 3 0 Vllaznia Shkodër
DF Adnan Oçelli 6 August 1963 (aged 18) 3 0 Partizani Tirana
DF Skënder Gega 14 November 1963 (aged 18) 2 0 Partizani Tirana
DF Josif Gjergji 13 April 1965 (aged 17) 1 0 Dinamo Tirana
DF Koshta 1 0
MF Sulejman Demollari 15 May 1964 (aged 18) 3 0 Dinamo Tirana
MF Mirel Josa 1 June 1963 (aged 18) 3 1 Tirana
MF Artur Lekbello 23 February 1966 (aged 16) 3 0 Tirana
MF Eduard Zhupa 4 August 1964 (aged 17) 3 0 Shkëndija Tiranë
MF Isak Pashaj 25 March 1964 (aged 18) 2 0 Vllaznia Shkodër
FW Sokol Kushta 17 April 1964 (aged 18) 3 1 Flamurtari Vlorë
FW Gilbert Rrapo 3 0 Skënderbeu Korçë
FW Safedin Raxhimi 2 0 Dinamo Tirana
FW Edi Barci 18 1 0 Dinamo

1983 UEFA European Under-18 Championship

Main article: 1983 UEFA European Under-18 Championship

First round

Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Bulgaria 4–1 Albania 4–0 0–1

Squad

COACH: Resul Ahmeti

The following players participated in the tournament.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
GK Ilir Bozhiqi 22 May 1965 (aged 17) 1 0 Dinamo Tirana
GK Muharrem Dosti 28 January 1964 (aged 19) 1 0 Elbasani
DF Josif Gjergji 13 April 1965 (aged 17) 2 0 Dinamo Tirana
DF Bilbili 2 0
DF Germenji 2 0
DF Shyqry Shala 5 July 1965 (aged 17) 1 0 Besa Kavajë
MF Artur Lekbello 23 February 1966 (aged 17) 2 0 Tirana
MF Viktor Briza 4 May 1962 (aged 20) 2 0 Vllaznia Shkodër
MF Abdyl Kuriu 2 0 Besa Kavajë
MF Xhema 2 0
MF A. Muça 1 0
MF Ramolli 1 0
FW Sokol Kushta 17 April 1964 (aged 18) 2 1 Flamurtari Vlorë
FW Gilbert Rrapo 2 0 Skënderbeu Korçë
FW Faslli Fakja 2 0 Vllaznia Shkodër

Triple friendly match against Turkey in 1983

Between 10 and 14 August 1983 Albania U18 played 3 friendly matches against Turkey U18 winning the first one 3–0, losing 3–1 the second game and taking a goalless draw in the last match. Sokol Kushta scored 3 goals between these matches.

1988 UEFA European Under-18 Championship

Main article: 1988 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Group 7

Teams Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Netherlands 6 2 3 1 5 3 +2 7
Bulgaria 6 3 1 2 11 10 +1 7
Hungary 6 2 1 3 11 7 +4 5
Albania 6 2 1 3 3 10 –7 5


Albania 1–1 Netherlands
Albania 1–0 Hungary
Bulgaria 4–0 Albania
Albania 1–0 Bulgaria
Netherlands 2–0 Albania
Hungary 3–0 Albania

Squad

COACH:

The following players participated in the tournament.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
GK 1 January 1969 (aged 18) 0 0
DF 1 January 1969 (aged 18) 0 0
MF 1 January 1969 (aged 18) 0 0
FW 1 January 1969 (aged 18) 0 0

1990 UEFA European Under-18 Championship

Main article: 1990 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Group 4

Teams Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Portugal 6 5 1 0 11 1 +10 11
Italy 6 4 1 1 10 3 +7 9
Albania 6 1 0 5 6 8 –2 2
Switzerland 6 1 0 5 1 16 –15 2


Albania 4–0 Switzerland
Portugal 2–1 Albania
Albania 1–2 Italy
Albania 0–2 Portugal
Italy 1–0 Albania
Switzerland 1–0 Albania

Squad

COACH:

The following players participated in the tournament.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
GK 1 January 1971 (aged 18) 0 0
DF 1 January 1971 (aged 18) 0 0
MF 1 January 1971 (aged 18) 0 0
FW 1 January 1971 (aged 18) 0 0

1993 UEFA European Under-18 Championship

Main article: 1993 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying
Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Albania
(o.g.) 		1–7 Spain 0–4 1–3

Squad

COACH:

The following players participated in the tournament.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
GK 1 January 1971 (aged 18) 0 0
DF 1 January 1971 (aged 18) 0 0
MF 1 January 1971 (aged 18) 0 0
FW 1 January 1971 (aged 18) 0 0

1997 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Main article: 1997 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Group 10

All matches were played in Spain.

Teams Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Spain 2 2 0 0 6 1 +5 6
Slovenia 2 0 1 1 0 2 –2 1
Albania 2 0 1 1 1 4 –3 1


Albania 0–0 Slovenia
Spain 4–1 Albania

Squad

COACH: Bujar Kasmi

The following players participated in the tournament.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 GK Ilion Lika 17 May 1980 (aged 16) 2 0 Dinamo Tirana
12 GK Florjan Kasmi 11 November 1978 (aged 17) 0 0
2 DF Elvis Sina (Captain) 14 November 1978 (aged 17) 2 0 Tirana
14 DF Ervin Bardhi 19 September 1979 (aged 17) 2 0 Besa Kavajë
8 DF Xhimi Buna 3 October 1978 (aged 18) 2 0
13 DF Stavrion Lako 24 March 1980 (aged 16) 1 0 Skënderbeu Korçë
4 DF Elton Lilaj 9 October 1978 (aged 18) 1 0
3 MF Bledar Çerri 21 September 1979 (aged 17) 2 1
6 MF Habib Rexhepi 12 April 1979 (aged 17) 2 0 Teuta Durrës
9 MF Admir Shehaj 26 August 1978 (aged 18) 2 0
5 MF Fatjon Malaj 17 April 1979 (aged 17) 2 0
11 MF Gentjan Brahimaj 15 August 1979 (aged 17) 2 0
16 MF Gentjan Mezani 13 October 1979 (aged 17) 1 0
7 FW Klodian Arbëri 10 October 1979 (aged 17) 2 0 Tomori Berat
10 FW Ligor Tiko 12 August 1979 (aged 17) 2 0 Partizani Tirana
15 FW Kliton Cafi 3 June 1979 (aged 17) 2 0 Besëlidhja Lezhë

1998 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Main article: 1998 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Group 2

All matches were played in the Czech Republic.

Teams Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Armenia 3 2 1 0 9 4 +5 7
Slovakia 3 1 2 0 11 6 +5 5
Czech Republic 3 1 1 1 8 8 0 4
Albania 3 0 0 3 3 13 –10 0


Armenia 4–0 Albania
Slovakia 7–2 Albania
Czech Republic 2–1 Albania

Squad

COACH: Bujar Kasmi

The following players participated in the tournament.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
12 GK Arjon Mustafa 29 January 1980 (aged 17) 2 0 Vllaznia Shkodër
1 GK Ilion Lika 17 May 1980 (aged 17) 1 0 Dinamo Tirana
3 DF Rezart Dabulla 24 October 1979 (aged 17) 3 1 Tirana
15 DF Julian Ahmataj 24 May 1979 (aged 18) 3 0 Elbasani
4 DF Stavrion Lako 24 March 1980 (aged 17) 3 0 Skënderbeu Korçë
13 DF Erjon Stavri 20 April 1979 (aged 18) 3 0
6 DF Ervin Bardhi 19 September 1979 (aged 18) 1 0 Besa Kavajë
10 MF Habib Rexhepi 12 April 1979 (aged 18) 3 1 Teuta Durrës
8 MF Justin Bespalla 8 July 1979 (aged 18) 3 0 Teuta Durrës
5 MF Fatjon Malaj (Captain) 17 April 1979 (aged 18) 3 0
2 MF Bledar Çerri 21 September 1979 (aged 18) 3 0
14 MF Sokol Ishka 14 July 1979 (aged 18) 2 1 Vllaznia Shkodër
17 MF Gentian Gjondeda 23 June 1980 (aged 17) 2 0 Dinamo Tirana
7 FW Klodian Arbëri 10 October 1979 (aged 17) 3 0 Tomori Berat
11 FW Erjon Rizvanolli 14 August 1981 (aged 16) 3 0 Tirana
9 FW Ramiz Kollcaku 6 September 1980 (aged 17) 3 0 Besa Kavajë

1999 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Main article: 1999 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Group 6

All matches were played in Italy.

Teams Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Italy 3 3 0 0 7 0 +7 9
Liechtenstein 3 2 0 1 2 1 +1 6
Albania 3 0 1 2 2 5 –3 1
North Macedonia 3 0 1 2 2 7 –5 1


Albania 0–1 Liechtenstein
Albania 2–2 North Macedonia
Italy 2–0 Albania

Squad

COACH: Bujar Kasmi

The following players participated in the tournament.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
12 GK Arjon Mustafa 29 January 1980 (aged 18) 3 0 Vllaznia Shkodër
1 GK Isli Hidi 15 October 1980 (aged 18) 0 0 Tirana
14 DF Stavrion Lako (Captain) 24 March 1980 (aged 18) 3 0 Skënderbeu Korçë
9 DF Julian Kapaj 26 April 1981 (aged 17) 3 0 Tirana
2 DF Artur Abdullai 3 March 1981 (aged 17) 3 0
17 DF Kreshnik Mance 5 January 1980 (aged 18) 3 0 Teuta Durrës
8 DF Dritan Mehmeti 9 January 1980 (aged 18) 2 0 Dinamo Tirana
7 DF Gjergji Gjika 4 February 1980 (aged 18) 0 0 Elbasani
4 MF Dritan Babamusta 6 September 1981 (aged 17) 3 0 Teuta Durrës
13 MF Ervin Bulku 3 March 1981 (aged 17) 3 0 Tirana
10 MF Dorian Bylykbashi 8 August 1980 (aged 18) 3 1 Elbasani
5 MF Gentian Gjondeda 23 June 1980 (aged 18) 3 1 Dinamo Tirana
18 MF Taulant Çerçizi 26 March 1981 (aged 17) 2 0 Flamurtari Vlorë
11 MF Endri Yzeiri 6 September 1980 (aged 18) 1 0 Erzeni
3 FW Ramiz Kollcaku 6 September 1980 (aged 18) 3 0 Besa Kavajë
6 FW Erjon Rizvanolli 14 August 1981 (aged 17) 1 0 Tirana
15 FW Andi Shtrepi 21 May 1980 (aged 18) 1 0 Erzeni
16 FW Julian Zëri 25 April 1980 (aged 18) 0 0

2000 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Main article: 2000 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Group 6

All matches were played in Finland.

Teams Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Finland 3 3 0 0 7 3 +4 9
Hungary 3 2 0 1 9 5 +4 6
Albania 3 1 0 2 4 5 –1 3
Faroe Islands 3 0 0 3 3 10 –7 0


Albania 3–1 Faroe Islands
Finland 2–1 Albania
Hungary 2–0 Albania

Squad

COACH: Petrit Haxhia

The following players participated in the tournament.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
12 GK Gasper Ndoja 15 April 1981 (aged 18) 2 0 Vllaznia Shkodër
1 GK Erjon Dine 10 April 1981 (aged 18) 1 0 Flamurtari Vlorë
5 DF Amarildo Belisha 11 July 1981 (aged 18) 3 0 Vllaznia Shkodër
7 DF Arjan Sheta 13 February 1981 (aged 18) 3 0 Partizani Tirana
3 DF Julian Kapaj 26 April 1981 (aged 18) 3 0 Tirana
17 DF Sokol Toma 17 February 1981 (aged 18) 3 0 Besëlidhja Lezhë
8 DF Elton Dalipaj 27 October 1981 (aged 17) 3 0 Elbasani
18 DF Ermal Lamaj (Vasiljevsk Lamaj) 20 March 1983 (aged 16) 1 0 Teuta Durrës
2 MF Ervin Bulku 3 March 1981 (aged 18) 3 1 Tirana
4 MF Taulant Çerçizi 26 March 1981 (aged 18) 3 0 Flamurtari Vlorë
9 MF Albert Kaçi 11 June 1981 (aged 18) 3 0 Vllaznia Shkodër
6 MF Dritan Babamusta 6 September 1981 (aged 17) 3 1 Teuta Durrës
16 MF Gledis Shkrela 4 March 1981 (aged 18) 2 0
15 MF Fatjon Leka 5 February 1981 (aged 18) 1 0
13 MF Erind Kosova 30 April 1982 (aged 17) 0 0
11 FW Erjon Rizvanolli (Captain) 14 August 1981 (aged 18) 3 2 Tirana
10 FW Oert Kote 9 January 1981 (aged 18) 3 0 Teuta Durrës
14 FW Klevi Lluka 15 May 1981 (aged 18) 2 0

2001 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Main article: 2001 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying

Group 4

All matches were played in Turkey.

Teams Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Israel 3 3 0 0 8 1 +7 9
Turkey 3 2 0 1 12 1 +11 6
Albania 3 1 0 2 2 7 –5 3
San Marino 3 0 0 3 0 13 –13 0


Albania 1–0 San Marino
Turkey 4–0 Albania
Albania 1–3 Israel

Squad

COACH: Petrit Haxhia

The following players participated in the tournament.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 GK Ervis Agolli 15 August 1982 (aged 18) 3 0 Partizani Tiranë
12 GK Eraldi Gjondedaj 4 April 1983 (aged 17) 0 0
5 DF Henri Ndreka 27 March 1983 (aged 17) 3 0 Partizani Tiranë
13 DF Rigels Gjoni 11 March 1983 (aged 17) 2 0 Flamurtari Vlorë
14 DF Robert Grishaj 10 March 1982 (aged 18) 3 0 Besëlidhja Lezhë
17 DF Mardjan Kacollja 29 May 1983 (aged 17) 1 0 Elbasani
8 DF Renaldo Tabaku (Captain) 3 September 1982 (aged 18) 3 0 Tomori Berat
3 DF Fatjon Tafaj 19 March 1982 (aged 18) 3 0 Partizani Tiranë
6 MF Endrit Agushi 24 September 1982 (aged 18) 3 0 Erzeni Shijak
11 MF Edmond Kapllani 31 July 1982 (aged 18) 2 0 Teuta Durrës
7 MF Endrit Vrapi 23 March 1982 (aged 18) 2 0 Partizani Tiranë
15 MF Vasjan Ballco 6 January 1982 (aged 18) 1 0 Skënderbeu Korçë
16 MF Erald Deliallisi 12 March 1982 (aged 18) 3 0 Lushnja
2 MF Edmond Lala 21 October 1983 (aged 17) 3 0 Tomori Berat
18 MF Gentjan Kau 10 July 1982 (aged 18) 0 0
4 FW Roland Dervishi 16 February 1982 (aged 18) 3 0 Shkumbini Peqin
9 FW Bekim Kuli 19 September 1982 (aged 18) 3 2 Besa Kavajë
10 FW Bledar Mançaku 5 January 1982 (aged 18) 3 0 Teuta Durrës

Current squad

The following players were named in the last squad for the friendly match against Italy on 19 May 2011 (When they last played a match).

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
GK Arianit Lazraj 28 March 1993 (aged 18) 1 0 St. Gallen
GK Mikel Kaloshi (Played for the U19s) 16 June 1993 (aged 17) 1 0 Lushnja
DF Shkodran Nuredini (Played for the U21s) 21 February 1993 (aged 18) 2 0 Zürich
DF Altin Abazaj (Played for the U19s) 18 August 1993 (aged 17) 1 0 Teuta Durres
DF Harallamb Qaqi (Played for U19 & U21s) 17 September 1993 (aged 17) 2 0 AEK Athens
DF Mërgim Bajraktari (Played for U19 & U21s) 27 May 1993 (aged 17) 2 0 Thun
DF Bruno Dita (Played for U19 & U21s) 18 February 1993 (aged 18) 2 0 Dinamo Tirana
MF Dorian Kërçiku (Played for the U21s) 30 August 1993 (aged 17) 2 0 Tirana
MF Teki Premci 23 March 1993 (aged 18) 2 0 Unattached
MF Mateos Toçi (Played for the U19s) 16 May 1993 (aged 18) 2 0 Elbasani
MF Alfred Deliallisi (Played for U19 & U21s) 28 March 1993 (aged 18) 1 0 Teuta Durres
MF Bekim Dema (Played for U19 & U21s) 30 March 1993 (aged 18) 2 0 Vllaznia Shkoder
MF Amir Tafa (Played for the U19s) 3 March 1993 (aged 18) 2 1 Vllaznia Shkodër
FW Arbër Çyrbja (Played for the U21s) 18 September 1993 (aged 17) 2 0 Teuta Durrës
FW Sindrit Guri (Played for U19 & U21s) 23 October 1993 (aged 17) 2 0 Vllaznia Shkoder
FW Fabio Hoxha (Played for U19 & U21s) 7 May 1993 (aged 18) 2 0 Inter
FW Mateo Hasa (Played for U19 & U21s) 23 May 1993 (aged 17) 1 0 Besa Kavaje
FW Enio Petro (Played for U19 & U21s) 1 August 1993 (aged 17) 1 0 Teuta Durrës

Players in italics have played internationally at a higher level.

Competitive record

UEFA Youth Tournament Under-18 Record

Year Round GP W D* L GS GA
1955 Did Not Participate
1956
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967 Qualifying round w.o. vs. Yugoslavia
1968 Did Not Participate
1969 Qualifying round DSQ vs. Bulgaria
1970 Did Not Participate
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
Total 0/25 0 0 0 0 0 0

UEFA European Under-18 Championship Record

Year Round GP W D* L GS GA
1981 Did Not Participate
1982 Second round 5 1 1 3 6 9
1983 First round 2 1 0 1 1 4
1984 Did Not Participate
1986
1988 First round 6 2 1 3 3 10
1990 First round 6 1 0 5 6 8
1992 Did Not Participate
1993 First round 2 0 0 2 1 7
1994 Did Not Participate
1995
1996
1997 Round 1 2 0 1 1 1 4
1998 Round 1 3 0 0 3 3 13
1999 Round 1 3 0 1 2 2 5
2000 Round 1 3 1 0 2 4 5
2001 Round 1 3 1 0 2 2 7
Total 1/10 35 7 4 24 29 72

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

See also