Albania’s U-17 national team is set to make its historic debut in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals, which this year will be hosted at home. The young Red and Blacks will face Portugal in their opening Group A match at the “Air Albania” Stadium in Tirana on Tuesday at 18:00.

On the eve of this major milestone for Albanian youth football, head coach Andrea Tedesco addressed the media, outlining the team’s ambitions and reflecting on the honor of hosting the tournament in Albania.

“This is a great opportunity for our team and for Albanian football. We are proud to be part of this competition and ready to challenge even the strongest opponents,” said the Italian coach.

Tedesco emphasized that participating in the European finals is a historic moment and an invaluable experience for the young players. He also spoke about the emotions of playing in front of a home crowd, the quality of the opponents in their group, and his trust in the squad’s talent and determination.

With the spotlight on the next generation of Albanian footballers, the team aims to make the most of this unique chance, hoping to leave a mark both on the pitch and in the hearts of Albanian fans.