Impressive performances by Albania at Euro 2024 against three major soccer nations — Italy, Croatia and Spain — have left its fans and coach beaming with pride despite the failure to progress from the group stage.
"My players left everything on the pitch and they will remember this for the rest of their lives," Albania's Brazilian coach Sylvinho said after another battling display in the team's 1-0 defeat by Spain on Monday.
Even though this was the most subdued performance of their three Group B games, Albania still had more shots on goal than its illustrious rivals — four to three — and pressed hard for an equalizer in front of its passionate red-clad fans.