Euro 2016 draw: Albania to play hosts France, derby against Switzerland
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- Granit Xhaka, who plays as midfielder for German club Borussia Mönchengladbach will face his elder brother, Basel defender Taulant Xhaka in the Albania-Switzerland fixture, registering the first case two brothers play on opposite teams in a European cup
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TIRANA, Dec. 13 - Albania will face France, Switzerland and Romania in Group A of the Euro 2016 in a bid to make another surprise campaign after a historic qualification as an outsider.
Albania will make its first-ever appearance in a major football competition on June 11, 2016 against Switzerland in what is considered a derby as the Albanian side features as many as seven Swiss-born players while five of the Swiss internationals have Albanian roots. The odd thing about this match is that two Albanian brothers will be playing for different sides in the derby in an encounter they had hoped to avoid.
Granit Xhaka, who plays as midfielder for German club Borussia Mà¶nchengladbach will face his elder brother, Basel defender Taulant Xhaka, registering the first case two brothers play on opposite teams in a European cup. A similar case happened in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups when the Boateng brothers faced each other in the Germany-Ghana fixtures.
“Personally, I didn't want this draw. It is a special match above all for me as I am going to play against my brother," said Swiss international of Kosovo roots Granit Xhaka.
Albania's major opponents in Group A are favorites France whom the national side face for a second time after the "centralized friendlies' with no points in the Euro qualifiers. Albania got a goalless draw and won 1-0 at home surprising the Euro 2016 hosts in the two friendlies. Two Albanian players, captain Lorik Cana and midfielder Ermir Lenjanni play Nantes in French league 1.
The fixture against France will also be special for much-travelled captain Cana who spent most of his career in top French clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille in the 2000s and also played in England, Turkey and Italy before returning to what he calls his second homeland last summer to play Nantes.
“It is understandable that it is special for me to take part in an important competition which will be Albania's first, in my second homeland and in addition against France in Marseille, only 15 minutes from my home," said Cana.
Albania will play its third group match against Romania, one of the most frequent opponents which the national side are yet to beat.
Speaking after last weekend's draw, Albanian-Italian coach Gianni De Biasi said he was aware of the quality of the opponents and the tough fixtures, but assured his team will give the best.
"Our advantage is that there's no pressure on us, so everything we do will be an achievement. This is a very important experience for us, and we'll try to show that because the players are proud to be taking part in this edition of the European Championship," said De Biasi.
Last October, Albania beat Armenia 3-0 to claim direct qualification in the 2016 UEFA European Championship in a decisive last qualifier for the second place in Group I of the Euro qualifiers to avoid play-offs in case of a possible third place.
Group I also featured leaders Portugal, third-placed Denmark and Serbia and Armenia.