The weekly magazine of UEFA dedicated a special feature to the historic success of Albania , qualifying for the first time in the finals of an European Championship. Three of the characters of this success , the coach Gianni De Biasi , the captain Lorik Cana and the striker Sokol Cikallesh , showed their emotions , from the start of the qualifiers , to the win that sealed the qualification in Armenia until the magnificent feast in Tirana. ‘’ We started with a victory in Portugal and this increased our trust that we could achieve great things. We were highly motivated and avoided all the thoughts that this would be impossible for us. The best thing was when the players put their hands in their hearts and they said ‘respects’. I think this was the most beautiful thing for me , because they understood that behind these results , I gave my help for achieving this great objective ‘’, – declares the coach of the Red&Blacks. ‘’My greatest dream for the team of my nation was to qualify in such event like the European Championship. When we won in Armenia and sealed the qualification, flows of emotions , happiness , stress , love passion and disappointments run through what I have experienced 13 years with the national team. In France , there will be a lot of Albanian fans , and this will be something you cannot forget easily. And , we will do our part ‘’, – declared the captain of Albania , Lorik Cana.

While , Sokol Cikalleshi had this experience for this miraculous editions: ‘’ Since the beginning of the qualifying round the team felt something different , with the harmony and trust that we had in our strength. Mentioning here the support of our great fans , we believed that we could do something great. We won in Portugal , and as our saying says: ‘’ a great start , half of the work”. After the win in Armenia , when we landed in Tirana , all the people were in the streets celebrating , and this was really wonderful’’.