Gianni De Biasi names his 23-man Albania squad for Euro 2016
Thursday 2 June 2016 17:48, UK
Albania have named their squad for Euro 2016, which will be their first ever appearance at a European Championships.
They are drawn in Group A alongside hosts France, Romania and Switzerland.
Gianni De Biasi's side open their campaign on June 11 against Switzerland in Lens, before playing France on June 15 in Marseille and Romania on June 19 in Lyon.
Defenders Berat Gjimsiti and Amir Rrahmani, midfielder Herolind Shala and forward Milot Rashica are the players who have missed out from the initial squad.
Teenager Rashica - one of the country's most promising talents - had been selected for the provisional team ahead of Albania Super League top scorer Hamid Salihi.
Albania squad
Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Lazio), Alban Hoxha(Partizani Tirana), Orges Shehi (Skenderbeu Korce) Defenders: Arlind Ajeti (Frosinone), Naser Aliji (Basel), Mergim Mavraj (Cologne), Lorik Cana (Nantes), Elseid Hysaj (Napoli), Ansi Agolli (Qarabag), Frederic Veseli (Lugano)
Midfielders: Ledian Memushaj (Pescara), Ergys Kace (PAOK), Andi Lila (PAS Giannina), Migjen Basha (Como), Odise Roshi (Rijeka), Burim Kukeli (FC Zurich), Ermir Lenjani (Nantes), Taulant Xhaka (Basel), Amir Abrashi (Freiburg)
Forwards: Bekim Bala (Rijeka), Sokol Cikalleshi (Istanbul BB), Armando Sadiku (Vaduz), Shkelzen Gashi (Colorado Rapids)
