Albania secured a spot at the UEFA European Championship for just the second time in their history and have made a bold impact at Euro 2024.
After being knocked out in the group stages at Euro 2016, Albania were handed a tough group-stage draw this time around, having been paired with defending champions Italy, Spain and Croatia in Group B.
However, with the potential of a third-place finish being enough to secure a knockout-stage spot, the small eastern European nation have been hopeful they can upset the odds in Germany and break a historical barrier for the country.
Their push to secure a place at Euro 2024 saw Albania finish top of their qualification group with former Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester City defender Sylvinho the managerial mastermind behind their recent progress.
MORE: Euro 2024 group stage: Schedule of matches, dates, times, fixtures for first phase of games
Who is Albania coach Sylvinho?
Premier League fans will recognise not one, but two, familiar faces on the Albania bench, with Sylvinho assisted by his former Manchester City teammate Pablo Zabaleta.
Sylvinho spent two years as a player with Arsenal before heading to La Liga, first with Celta Vigo and then Barcelona. It was at Camp Nou that he enjoyed the most successful spell of his career, winning three league titles and two UEFA Champions Leagues. The left-back spent the 2009/10 season back in England with Manchester City before retirement in 2011.
The former Brazil defender was appointed as Albania head coach in January 2023 after uninspiring short spells in charge at Lyon and Corinthians.
However, despite his lack of experience, the 50-year-old has impressed in the role, leading them to automatic Euro 2024 qualification ahead of group favourites Poland.
His CV is not as deep as rival coaches Luciano Spalletti, Luis de la Fuente at Zlatko Dalic at Euro 2024, but the early signs are positive.
Sylvinho's coaching record
Sylvino worked as assistant coach to Tite at Corinthians, beginning in July 2013. He then accepted an offer to link up with Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan a year later, before returning to work with Tite and the Brazil national side in 2016.
Following three years on the bench with Tite, the Brazil FA moved him into a new role as Under-23 head coach, but he opted against the job to take charge at Lyon instead.
However, he lasted just 11 games from the start of the 2019/0 season before being sacked after picking up just four wins. He accepted a return to Corinthians in May 2021 — this time as manager of the Brazilian side — but despite a positive start, he was dismissed nine months later.
The Albania job was viewed as a turning point for him, as a first international role, and if he impresses at Euro 2024, he could be a target for European clubs with his contract expiring at the end of the tournament.
Have Albania played at the Euros?
Euro 2024 is Albania's second appearance at the European Championship following their debut in 2016. Under veteran Italian coach Gianni Di Biasi, they lost their opening games to Switzerland and eventual finalists France, whose two goals came after the 90-minute mark. They then secured a 1-0 win over Romania.
Three points secured third place in Group A but they missed out on a best third-place knockout spot with Portugal and Northern Ireland boasting a better goal difference.
Albania's Euro 2024 schedule
| Fixture | Date | Local KO time | Venue |
| Italy vs. Albania | Jun. 15 | 9:00 p.m. | Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund |
| Croatia vs. Albania | Jun. 19 | 3:00 p.m. | Volksparkstadion, Hamburg |
| Albania vs. Spain | Jun. 24 | 9:00 p.m. | Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf |
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