The Telegraph: Kosovo fans enjoy match between their two most beloved nations

“According to official sources, 20,000 Kosovars were waiting in Southampton for the match against England and only 10,000 among them with tickets an international support away from anyone else. They had certainly come to support their team, currently with 15 unbeatable and fresh matches from victory over the Czech Republic on Saturday, but they also have a deep love for British and British football in general”.

“Christian Gashi, 30, a Kosovo fan who was first in the United Kingdom from his home in Austria was asking a BBC crew if he could show his flag at the back of their live broadcast for the news. Thank you.

Always grateful for you, our beloved England” Gashi came from the Kosovo city of Ferizaj and wanted to explain why Britain's role in intervention with NATO in the 1998 to 1999 Balkan war meant so much”.

I've tried the war and I never thought that in such short space we'd be here, playing soccer in a stadium,” he said. “We are playing against the most traditional football nation. I will always be grateful for England and what they did for my country. They intervened in the extermination of our people. Then they helped us later so that our team could be known in the sport”.

<x0mor Arifi, 26, from Pristina, has a photograph of a British soldier playing street football with Kosovo children. He's here for the game and to visit his family”, writes The Telegraph.

This photo is only 20 years ago and we are now playing England. That's great. Arifi said his cousin had hoped to meet Tony Blair this week and offer to take him to the game”.

“The prime minister is praised as a hero in Kosovo for NATO intervention and has a reputation since a generation of children have his name. “I know about 20 children named” Tonibler “, Arifi” said.

“Lan Zeka, 55, and his son Jon, 19, had come from West London for the game. Jon was born in London a year after his family moved from Pristina, and although they will usually support England, it was another” proposal.

We never thought to see this day,” said Leka. “We can remember when it wasn't even a place. ”

His son Jon said for Kosovars in Great Britain in particular this was an important day. I was born here, I was able to go to school here. We will not be disappointed if we do not win. Football is just a sport at the end of the day”.