MIRACLE MINNOWS ON AN ITALIAN JOB
DEBUTANTS Albania – who were runners-up in their qualifying group behind Portugal – will be hoping for a fairytale in France this summer.
The rank outsiders are in a very tough group, and their boss – Italian coach Gianni De Biasi (right) – knows it will be an uphill struggle.
Albania, who are playing in their first major tournament, scored just seven times in qualifying – although they were also awarded a 3-0 win against Serbia, after fights broke out causing the game to be abandoned. But this is the year of the underdog. And De Biasi has worked wonders since his appointment five years ago – to the degree that he has now been linked with the vacant position in charge of Italy. He has forged a hardworking, tight-knit, highly-motivated team with players who star in Serie A, the Bundesliga and the Dutch top flight. When Albanian Prime Minister HUGO LLORIS believes France can overcome the historic disadvantage of host nations that stage the European Championship finals.
Since the tournament started in 1960, only three countries have won it on home soil – Spain in 1964, Italy in 1968 and France in 1984.
But the Tottenham goalkeeper – captain of club and country – reckons the massive backing of the French public will inspire his men this time around.
“We can profit from that support,” said Lloris. “We are not really favourites, but because we are playing at home, of course, it gives us more chances.
“The supporters will be a great help to us. Sometimes the culture of the support is different. It wasn’t a great help to Brazil two years ago in the World Cup. But we can make the fans proud of us.”
France, of course, have won both the World Cup in 1998 and the Euros in their homeland. Lloris put that down to “two great teams that reached maturity”. And the current squad? “Yes, we have a lot of ambition. The team is young and is hungry. We will give everything on the pitch.” France have been tipped to progress to at least the semi-finals, but Lloris is wary of any predictions that could rebound spectacularly. “The only match to think about at the moment is Romania on June 10,” said the ultra-professional Lloris. “Then we have to aim to get out of the group. Nothing more. You cannot think further than that. “You can talk before or even during the competition, but the truth comes in the competition.” And asked about the saying that success comes from a strong defence, he Edi Rama wrote to the 59-year-old coach the day after their Euro 2016 qualification he spoke for the whole nation. “Dearest Gianni,” Rama began. “Words cannot express my gratitude to you.”
De Biasi had previously managed Torino and Levante – saving both from relegation – before taking charge of the Albania team.
“I hope the country grows having these boys as an example,” said De Biasi. “Few people believed we could have made it in the beginning, but we all made it. We all contributed to this achievement.”
Their star player is Nantes’ Lorik Cana, an inspirational captain who will be remembered by Sunderland fans as a no-nonsense midfielder during the 2009-10 season. Cana, 32 and closing in on his 100th cap, has played in the deeper role of centre-half in the last few years.
Two others to look out for are Elseid Hysaj, a tall, fast right-back and Taulant Xhaka a tenacious and versatile player who can fill roles in defence or midfield.