Albania national under-15 football team

Albania Under-15
Nickname(s)	Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks); Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
Association	Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit – FSHF; (Albanian Football Association)
Confederation	UEFA
Head coach	Armand Dama
Captain	Endri Çelaj
Most caps	Jurgen Vatnikaj
Top scorer	Endri Çelaj (5)
Home stadium	Elbasan Arena; Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA code	ALB
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)

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. It was founded in 2009.

History

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

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

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

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

2017

28 September Friendly match	Albania	3–4	Montenegro	Shkodër, Albania
		Report		Stadium: Reshit Rusi Stadium

30 September Friendly match

Montenegro

v

Albania

Montenegro

Players

Current squad

COACH: Eqerem Memushi

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

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Berdan Qikaleshi	(2003-02-19) 19 February 2003	0	0	Akademia e Futbollit
1GK	Redon Gega	(2003-06-15) 15 June 2003	0	0	Pepa

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

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

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

Recent call-ups

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	0	0	Internacional Tirana	Gathering in Durrës, Albania, 19 May 2017

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

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

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

Coaching staff

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

Youth Olympic Games

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.

References

^ FSHF krijon kombetaren U15 - Lajme Archived 2016-08-19 at the Wayback Machine Top Channel
^ ^a ^b U-15 / Shqiperi-Lihtenshtein 2-0 albaniasoccer.com
^ ^a ^b U-15 / Shqiperi - Mali i Zi 1-2 albaniasoccer.com
^ Lajme: Kombetarja U-15 ne Zvicer per Lojrat Olimpike FutbolliShqiptar.net
^ Itali dhe Greqi, gati seleksionimet për U-15 Archived 2016-07-28 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
^ U-15 national team, gathering in Kamëz Archived 2016-10-24 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
^ FSHF EMERON TRAJNERIN E KOMBETARES U-15 Archived 2017-02-18 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
^ Konturohet Kombëtarja U-15, ja lojtarët! Archived 2017-12-05 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
^ KOMBËTARJA U-15, TRAJNERI MEMUSHAJ NIS GRUMBULLIMIN Archived 2017-12-05 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
^ ^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.
^ "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.
^ Kombëtarja U-15 (Albania national under-15 team) FSHF.org

[1] FSHF krijon kombetaren U15 - Lajme Archived 2016-08-19 at the Wayback Machine Top Channel

[Liechtenstein-2] U-15 / Shqiperi-Lihtenshtein 2-0 albaniasoccer.com

[Montenegro-3] 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

[Konturohet_U15_FSHF-8] Konturohet Kombëtarja U-15, ja lojtarët! Archived 2017-12-05 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org

[U15_Nis_grumbullimin-9] KOMBËTARJA U-15, TRAJNERI MEMUSHAJ NIS GRUMBULLIMIN Archived 2017-12-05 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org

[Friendlies_against_Montenegro-10] "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

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