Albania head coach Sylvinho was bursting with pride following his team’s plucky draw with Croatia.
Albania are fast establishing themselves as the surprise package of EURO2024. The tournament’s unlikely heroes pushed Italy all the way in their opening match before coming within touching distance of what would have been just their second ever Euros win, taking home a hard-fought point after tying with Croatia.
Embed from Getty ImagesSylvinho told the press that the match “was amazing, unbelievable. The first half I think we did really well. In the second half, the first 15-20 minutes was difficult for us.”
Embracing the underdog narrative, he added that “All the sides [at EURO2024] are top sides, they are unbelievable players, unbelievable team, all my respect to the [Croatia] coach and the players… Croatia have been doing really well during the last few years… with great players and a wonderful coach, they are a tough side, really difficult… We are going to remember this game for all our lives.”
He went on to contextualise the magnitude of Albania’s achievement, saying that one must look beyond the scoreline to understand the true nature of the game.
“When you analyse the game it doesn’t matter about the result, you have to check, you have to review the match… This afternoon I have to tell you that you try to defend well, and you did it. It is very hard for the other side to create something. Our team did really well and defended really well against unbelievable players except 15 minutes in the second half. Croatia have all my respect.”
The Brazilian was quick to defend Klaus Gjasula, who conceded the own goal which gave Croatia the lead before making amends with a late equaliser.
Embed from Getty Images“The game was crazy, the pace of the game was so hard, so difficult… he was trying to get up to the pace, it was difficult for him, but the end of the game it was a present for everyone when he scored… I have to say thank you to him for scoring in the end of the game, it helped us a lot.”
Asked whether Albania could progress beyond the groups for the first time in it’s history, Sylvinho maintained that his team are simply there to make their country proud.
“You have to try to enjoy this kind of tournament, it is very hard… What I promise for the players and the people, we are fighting for every single point… it is important for our life, the life of the country, the federation. We have to enjoy that moment.”
Albania will face Spain in their final group stage match on Monday, where even one point could be enough to see them through to the knockout stage. Follow that encounter, and every match of EURO2024, here on FromTheSpot.
