EURO 2016 qualifiers

Albania made history having qualified for its first major tournament

Albania beat Armenia away to confirm qualification for first major tournament for the Balkan nation.

By Daniel Cole

albania-makes-history-qualifying -for-euro

The Albanians clinched second place in Group I with a deserved 0-3 win against Armenia in Yerevan, the final whistle setting off massive celebrations in Tirana, with thousands of people gathering in the city’s main square. The significance of the achievement is best summed up in the words of team captain Lorik Cana: “I can’t find the words to describe the happiness. When I joined the Albanian national team 12-13 years ago I had so little hope I could achieve such a thing one day.”

Albania finished seven points behind group winners, Portugal who beat Serbia 1-2 in Belgrade. Denmark is the one to go into the play-offs from group I as they finished in third place and now await for the play-off draw that is set to be made on October 18th.

Elsewhere, Germany allowed no surprises, beating Georgia 2-1 at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig to claim the first spot in Group D. However, it was the match between Poland and Ireland that provided real drama as the teams came into the match level on points. Grzegorz Krychowiak’s put the home side ahead in the 13th minute, but Jonathan Walters’ penalty three minutes later gave hope to Ireland.  Just before the break, Robert Lewandowski managed to score the winner that booked Poland’s place at next year’s Euro. It was his 13th goal of the campaign and one that has equalled David Healy’s scoring record in a UEFA European Championship qualifying.

The remaining match in group saw Steven Fletcher bagging a hat trick as Scotland crushed Gibraltar 6-0. 

In group F Romania booked its place at the Euro’s thanks to a 3-0 win against Faroe Islands. Hungary hoped that they could take second place if Romania was to slip up, but it was them who failed to pick up the points, as they lost 4-3 away at Greece.

Already qualified Northern Ireland managed to hold on to first place in the group as they drew 1-1 in Finland.