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DORTMUND, GERMANY - JUNE 15: Head Coach Sylvinho of Albania gives his team instructions during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Italy and Albania at Football Stadium Dortmund on June 15, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Kevin Voigt/GettyImages)

“It’s only the second time we’ve been at a European Championship,” says Sylvinho after a constructive night for Albania

Albania manager Sylvinho spoke to the media after following his team’s 2-1 defeat to Italy on match day two, held in a packed-out Dortmund Stadium. Sylvinho was disappointed his side couldn’t get a draw or win out of the game against reigning champions Italy: “I was disappointed for the result. I can’t hide my feelings.

“When you prepare a match and you’re up against a team like Italy who are such a good side. We worked for 10 days straight to try and win this match or at least get a draw.”

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However, Sylvinho was happy that his team could make their nation proud as the atmosphere inside of Dortmund Stadium reached new heights: “I need to thank all Albanians that were here, it was incredible.

We said two days ago that the entire stadium would be red, but outside, I saw so many proud Albanians to have a team here at the European Championship. They’re proud, and so too are we. It’s a shame we couldn’t equalise in the final minute, but these things happen.

Sylvinho also admitted that his players need more time in competitions like the EUROS: “I think we struggled in the first 25 minutes, it wasn’t easy. It’s only the second time we’ve been at a European Championship. We have some very good young players, but it’s not easy. And I said once that we need to play many competitions, a Euro and a World Cup, to get better.

Albania will now look ahead to Wednesday’s Group B meeting with Croatia in order to try and obtain their first victory at EURO24.

You can follow all the post-match reactions and ongoing action from the tournament here on FromTheSpot.

"It's only the second time we've been at a European Championship," says Sylvinho after a constructive night for Albania – FromTheSpot