Connect with us

Sport

Coach Silvinho: “We learned a lot from the Euros, it was an excellent experience. We will fight for every point in the Nations League.”

The head coach of the Albanian National Football Team, Silvinho, gave an interview to journalist Erion Todhe ahead of the team’s new journey in the UEFA Nations League.

The red-and-black coach spoke about the experience in the finals of the European Championship “Germany 2024,” as well as commented on the extension of his agreement with the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) to continue the project he started with Albania.

Coach Silvinho also discussed the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, stating that the future objective is to qualify for the World Cup.

Below is the full interview conducted with journalist Erion Todhe:

Advertisement

After Germany’s European Championship, have you reviewed the matches again with a cool head? What would you have done differently?

“It’s time to talk about everything that has happened in this year and a half of work. It was the first cycle of our journey together, a very beautiful journey. Playing in the European finals for the second time is historic. We all know, and people know, that it’s not easy to reach that stage. But when we got there, we faced a tough and challenging group. But I was pleased with that. Facing Italy, Spain, who won the Euros, and Croatia, an extraordinary team. In fact, after the matches, it’s easy to analyze. Of course, there are things that should have been done differently, but I went with the mindset of representing a nation as best as possible. I had told the players that we must be in the game in every match. We did well against Italy, and the match against Croatia could have been won. This is a difficult championship with many risks. Every mistake is a conceded goal. I am very satisfied with the players, but there is always room for improvement. We changed the formation for the second match by adding a midfielder, but overall, we did very well.”

On a personal level and as the coach of the National Team, what have you gained, and what lessons have you learned from the European finals?

“We have learned a lot; it was an excellent experience. I have been an assistant with Brazil in the World Cup in Russia. The European Championship is at a similar level. We have a young team, which is beautiful. We played against very strong players and teams. Being there is a luxury; for us, it was madness. On a personal level, I learned a lot. Every mistake costs a lot because the level of competition is very high. The players knew well that you cannot afford to make mistakes because you concede and are immediately out of the game. It was a great experience for the players as well. The level of focus was very high.”

After the finals, you renewed your contract. I believe you wanted to focus on the Euros first and then think about the renewal, which I suppose wasn’t difficult to achieve?

Advertisement

“No, absolutely not. In fact, it was a desire of both the Federation and ours, but the Euros were our focus. Both sides thought it through well, both the Federation and us as a staff. Our thought was to work hard for the Euros to avoid even the smallest mistake so that we wouldn’t lose focus. The most important thing at that moment was the players; it was an entire nation, 3 million here and 10 million abroad. For us as a staff, it is an advantage to continue working after a good result. Today we don’t start from scratch with the Albanian National Team. Today we start with more than 50% knowledge of the team and the players. Now we need to improve, to scout many other players who can serve us. We are pleased because we know Tirana, the Federation, and the Albanians, so the renewal was easy for us.”

Now the work resumes with the Nations League matches. Do you have ambitions for this competition, or will these matches serve as preparation for the World Cup qualifiers, which is a much more important goal than the Nations League?

“There is a dream, a desire, and an objective to reach the World Cup. But in the meantime, we have an important competition like the Nations League. I don’t consider it a transitional moment to gain experience or prepare. The first objective is to improve the team, to find new players. This is the National Team, and as such, it is open. If there is a player who can serve us, then he will come. The Nations League is difficult, and we have a tough group with Ukraine, Georgia, and the Czech Republic. We will fight for every point. It won’t be easy, but we will enter every match to win.”

After the UEFA Nations League, the World Cup qualifiers follow. Do you have a plan to change something in the team, perhaps a different style of play or a different mentality? What is your current thought?

“I believe there is always room for improvement. Beyond the formation, we have a good base; practically 70 or 75% of the group is established, but we have players who come with a lot of experience after the Euros. The players have understood one thing that for me, for the Federation, and for Albania, beyond the formation, the experience, the players, the technical quality, what is non-negotiable is the heart and soul of the team. The players know that they must have this both in training and in matches because this took us to the Euros. The desire and spirit of the team have also been understood by the people, that the spirit and heart are there on the field.”

Advertisement

Post Views: 8
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Sport

The club officially signs Liridon Balaj for 3 years in the white and red colors

Meanwhile, it was our portal “Korça Boom” that revealed Liridon Balaj as the latest signing yesterday, and today the club has officially announced the acquisition.

In a post, the white and red club states that Balaj has signed a 3-year contract, which is certainly a long-term deal.

Since yesterday, Liridon has been training with the team, and now fans are eagerly awaiting his debut in the Skënderbeu jersey in the Superleague matches.

Here is the club’s latest announcement:

Advertisement

Liridon Balaj officially joins Skënderbeu!

The 25-year-old, who came through the Besa Pejë academy, has signed a contract with the club for the next three years after spending several years playing in Switzerland and Belgium.

EDITED by:

“KORÇA BOOM”

Advertisement
Post Views: 139
Continue Reading

Sport

SUPER LEAGUE / Week 6 in two days / Here are the matchups, including Skënderbeu vs. Laçi!

The fifth week of the Superleague has now faded with Skënderbeu’s defeat, which drops them to the bottom of the league. The white and reds don’t have time to dwell on their recent loss, as they need to focus on the sixth week of the Superleague.

It is now official that week 6 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, meaning it will be spread over two days. Skënderbeu will kick off this week with their match on Saturday.

Skënderbeu vs. Laçi will be played on September 21 and will start at a different time than usual, at 17:00. The first day, Saturday, will conclude with the capital derby, Partizani vs. Tirana, which will begin at 20:00.

On Sunday, three remaining matches will be played. Vllaznia vs. Bylis will be the first match of the day at 17:00, while the last two matches will kick off at 20:00 in the evening.

Advertisement

SIXTH WEEK OF THE SUPERLEAGUE

Saturday, September 21, 2024

17:00 SKËNDERBEU-LAÇI

20:00 PARTIZANI-TIRANA

Sunday, September 22, 2024

Advertisement

17:00 VLLAZNIA-BYLIS

20:00 ELBASANI-EGNATIA

20:00 TEUTA-DINAMO

EDITED by:

“KORÇA BOOM”

Advertisement

Post Views: 144
Continue Reading

Sport

The Cup of Albania starts on September 25 / Here is the schedule and when Skënderbeu plays!

The Cup of Albania will kick off on September 25 for the 2024/2025 season. Unlike last season, which featured 44 teams, this edition will have 42 teams—two fewer than the previous season—from the “Abissnet Superiore,” Kategoria e Parë, Kategoria e Dytë, and the champion team of Kategoria e Tretë from the 2023-2024 season.

The 2024-2025 Cup of Albania will consist of a preliminary round and an elimination phase. The teams ranked from first to eighth in the “Abissnet Superiore” for the 2023-2024 season will compete starting from the round of 16.

In the preliminary round, four teams will play. Naftëtari (ranked 9th in Group A of Kategoria e Dytë) will face the team from Basania (the champion of Kategoria e Tretë in the 2023-2024 edition). The winning team will proceed to B16 in the round of 32. The other match in this round will feature Murlani (ranked 10th in Group A of Kategoria e Dytë) against Albanët (ranked 11th in Group A of Kategoria e Dytë). The winning team will proceed to B15 in the round of 32.

The matches in the round of 32 will take place on October 25, involving the teams ranked 9th and 10th in Abissnet Superiore for the 2023-2024 season, along with the 12 teams participating in Kategoria e Parë in the same season, 16 teams ranked in the top eight positions of Kategoria e Dytë groups A and B for the 2023-2024 season, and the two teams that qualify from the preliminary round.

Advertisement

To determine the quarterfinal and semifinal matchups, a free draw will take place, and the matches will be played in a home-and-away format over two legs.

EDITED by:

“KORÇA BOOM”

Advertisement
Post Views: 71
Continue Reading

Sport

World football is in mourning/ Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci, the former striker of Juventus, Inter, and the Italian national team, has passed away

Former Juventus, Inter, and Italy striker Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci has passed away at the age of 59.

Schillaci won the hearts of Italians and many Albanian fans during the 1990 World Cup. A father of three daughters, he had been suffering from a serious illness for some time and ultimately could not win the most important match of his life.

Edited by:

“KORÇA BOOM”

Advertisement

Post Views: 157
Continue Reading

Sport

EXCLUSIVE / See who is signing with Skënderbeu. Coming from Belgium and joining the training session!

Skënderbeu has closed the transfer window with yet another signing.

The player in question is Liridon Balaj, a 25-year-old midfielder who, starting today, has joined the training sessions with Skënderbeu and is expected to sign a two-season contract with the club.

It is official that Balaj is now part of Skënderbeu. He grew up in Kosovo with Besa of Peja until 2019, after which he moved to teams such as Aarau in Switzerland, Deinze in Belgium, and then to Schaffhausen in Germany. Recently, as part of the Belgian team Deinze, Liridon has now joined Skënderbeu.

Today, Balaj has started training with Skënderbeu and will now be part of the white and red squad, filling the gaps in the midfield.

Advertisement

During his career, he has managed to score 22 goals and is a player with significant value, but now we are expecting to see him on the field, possibly even in this Saturday’s match.

Welcome Liridon Balaj to the white and red family!

EDITED by:

“KORÇA BOOM”

Advertisement
Post Views: 218
Continue Reading

Sport

SKËNDERBEU / Here’s when the 6th round is played. Check when Skënderbeu plays and the time!

The 5th round of the Superliga concluded last night with a loss for Skënderbeu, which drops them to the bottom of the Superliga standings. The white-red team doesn’t have time to “mourn” their recent defeats, as they need to immediately focus on the 6th round of the Superliga.

It is now official: the 6th round will be played on Saturday and Sunday, meaning it will be spread over two days. In fact, Skënderbeu will play the first match of this round, on Saturday.

Skënderbeu vs. Laçi will be held on September 21st, starting at 17:00, a different time than usual. The first day, Saturday, will end with the capital derby, Partizani vs. Tirana, which will kick off at 20:00.

On Sunday, three more matches will be played. The first match of the day will be Vllaznia vs. Bylis at 17:00, while the last two matches will start at 20:00.

Advertisement

Elbasani vs. Egnatia will be played at “Elbasan Arena,” and the final match, Teuta vs. Dinamo, will be at “Niko Dovana.”

Thus, Skënderbeu has only a few days to prepare for their next match, as they will face Laçi at the “Skënderbeu” stadium on Saturday at 17:00.

6th ROUND OF THE SUPERLIGA

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2024

17:00 SKËNDERBEU vs. LAÇI

Advertisement

20:00 PARTIZANI vs. TIRANA

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

17:00 VLLAZNIA vs. BYLIS

20:00 ELBASANI vs. EGNATIA

20:00 TEUTA vs. DINAMO

Advertisement
  • EDITED BY:
  • “KORÇA BOOM”

Post Views: 162
Continue Reading

Sport

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: This friday, the clash of giants Dinamo-Skënderbeu. Here is the full schedule!

Skënderbeu in Women’s Volleyball: Seeking All Trophies This Season

Skënderbeu aims to win every trophy this season in women’s volleyball. The national championship has just begun, and Skënderbeu secured a victory in their opening match against Teuta with a score of 3-1.

This Friday, Skënderbeu will face Dinamo in the capital, marking a long-awaited matchup between the two teams. However, it’s important to note that this isn’t the renowned Dinamo of old, but Skënderbeu is determined to secure a win in the capital.

The season will feature 14 matches, culminating in the final phase of the playoffs.

Advertisement

Our portal, “Korça Boom,” brings you the exclusive full schedule for the season. Check it out below:

Skënderbeu Women’s Volleyball Calendar 2024-2025

Phase I

  • Week 1: Skënderbeu vs. Teuta – 3-1
  • Week 2: Dinamo vs. Skënderbeu September 20, 2024 Time: 16:00
  • Week 3: Skënderbeu vs. Vllaznia September 28, 2024 Time: 14:00
  • Week 4: Barleti Volley vs. Skënderbeu October 5, 2024 Time: 17:00
  • Week 5: Skënderbeu vs. Pogradeci October 12, 2024 Time: 17:00
  • Week 6: Skënderbeu vs. Partizani October 18, 2024 Time: 17:00
  • Week 7: Tirana vs. Skënderbeu October 25, 2024 Time: 18:00

Phase II

  • Week 8: Teuta vs. Skënderbeu January 31, 2024 Time: 14:00
  • Week 9: Skënderbeu vs. Dinamo February 8, 2025 Time: 17:00
  • Week 10: Vllaznia vs. Skënderbeu February 14, 2025 Time: 14:00
  • Week 11: Skënderbeu vs. Barleti Volley February 22, 2025 Time: 17:00
  • Week 12: Pogradeci vs. Skënderbeu March 14, 2025 Time: 17:00
  • Week 12: Pogradeci vs. Skënderbeu March 14, 2025 Time: 17:00
  • Week 13: Partizani vs. Skënderbeu March 21, 2025 Time: 17:00
  • Week 14: Skënderbeu vs. Tirana March 28, 2025 Time: 17:00

EDITED by:

“KORÇA BOOM”

Advertisement

Post Views: 199
Continue Reading

Sport

Final message from Gvozdenović to his team before the match

Before Skënderbeu’s match against Dinamo, coach Ivan Gvozdenović held a meeting with his team to discuss the upcoming game.

Among other things, he emphasized that players must remain focused at all times and avoid costly mistakes.

Although this match is an away game against a strong team like Dinamo, Gvozdenović firmly stated regarding the possibility of accepting a draw: “We are Skënderbeu, and we step onto the field aiming for victory.”

Gvozdenović and his team are aware that points are essential, even if the performance isn’t stellar. Being somewhat pragmatic, they understand that securing points is crucial.

Advertisement

Edited by:

“KORÇA BOOM”

Post Views: 210
Continue Reading

Second Category

SECOND DIVISION starts this weekend! Here is the draw for MALIQI!

The Second Division Championship will begin on September 21. In Group B of the Second Division, 11 teams are participating: AF Luftëtari, Tomori, Memaliaj, Shkumbini, Këlcyra, Oriku, Turbina, Devolli, Butrinti, Delvina, and Maliqi.

MALIQI’S DRAW

Week 1: Maliqi – (not playing)

Week 2: Maliqi – Luftëtari

Advertisement

Week 3: Memaliaj – Maliqi

Week 4: Maliqi – Këlcyra

Week 5: Turbina – Maliqi

Week 6: Maliqi – Butrinti

Week 7: Delvina – Maliqi

Advertisement

Week 8: Maliqi – Devolli

Week 9: Oriku – Maliqi

Week 10: Maliqi – Shkumbini

Week 11: Tomori – Maliqi

Edited by:

Advertisement

“KORÇA BOOM”

Post Views: 69
Continue Reading

Second Category

SECOND DIVISION starts this weekend! Here is the draw for DEVOLLI!

The Second Division Championship will begin on September 21. In Group B of the Second Division, 11 teams are participating: AF Luftëtari, Tomori, Memaliaj, Shkumbini, Këlcyra, Oriku, Turbina, Devolli, Butrinti, Delvina, and Maliqi.

DEVOLL’S DRAW

Week 1: Turbina – Devolli

Week 2: Devolli – Butrinti

Advertisement

Week 3: Delvina – Devolli

Week 4: Devolli – (Bye)

Week 5: Devolli – Oriku

Week 6: Shkumbini – Devolli

Week 7: Devolli – Tomori

Advertisement

Week 8: Maliqi – Devolli

Week 9: Devolli – Luftëtari

Week 10: Memaliaj – Devolli

Week 11: Devolli – Këlcyra

Edited by:

Advertisement

“KORÇA BOOM”

Post Views: 66
Continue Reading

Flash News