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The popular football magazine “France Football” has written a lengthy article on Kosovo's development in terms of football.

The following is the writing of the Golden Ball partitioner regarding Kosovo:

“created in 2014 and included in UEFA and FIFA since 2016, Kosovo is only two matches away from a historical qualification for EURON 2020. Waiting for the Play-off semifinals this Thursday against Northern Macedonia, “France Football<2> tracks the rapid development of this very new football nation.

June 3, 2016: First Fight, First Victory

While Kosovo had just joined UEFA, the team led by Albert Bunjak, begins its story with a friendly match in early summer 2016. At this first official meeting, the Dardans faced the Faroe Islands, where they won 2-0. Albert Bunnjak and his players did not know, but they would have to wait nearly a year and a half to enjoy success again.

2016-2017: Learning in the Hard Way

The first qualifying cycle in an international race immediately brings the Dardans back to reality. Falling into a group with Finland, Turkey, Iceland, Ukraine and Croatia, did not succeed.

With only one draw towards Finland, Kosovo lost to nine other meetings, between October 2016 and October 2017. The next victory came in November 2017, when they won Latvia (4-3).

March 2, 2018: Bernard Challandes' appointment as coach

In search of a new breath after these first two difficult years, the federation decided to appoint Bernard Challandez to coach post.

Swiss technician, had crossed into Armenia's bench. Before the League of Nations in September 2018, he won three consecutive victories in friendship against Madagascar, Burkina Faso, and Albania. The beginning of a magnificent series of excitement.

November 20, 2018: Inquiry in the League of Nations C

In this new race, Kosovo shows its progress. In League D, they were in a group of Malta, the Faroe Islands, and Azerbaijan. After two difficult years, in these six games Kosovo doesn't know about losses. In the end, they won four victories and two tiers.

In the last match, Kosovo beat Azerbaijani spectacles with a score of 4-0 at “Fadil Vokri”.

September 7, 2019: Czech Republic, first major blow

After their fine year in 2018, Kosovars begin March 2019 in their Euro 2020 qualifications.

After an encouraging draw in friendly matches against Denmark (2-2, March 21, 2019), Kosovo will challenge predictions.

After two draws at the opening of the qualifying cycle against Bulgaria and Montenegro, the Dyrdians will win on the land of Bulgaria (3-2). A good start to get a whole new dimension at the end of summer.

In Pristina, in September, Kosovo defeats the Czech Republic (2-1) and achieves the first major blow in its history.

September 10, 2019: The Best Fight

Three days later, Kosovo goes to Southampton to confront England, the most prestigious national in the group. Despite numerous shortages, Kosovo had a series of 18 months and 14 games without losses since the new coach's arrival.

Kosovo will offer a wonderful meeting to England. Since in the first half they were losing 5-1, in the second half they returned and scored twice, while they had a good chance for 5-4.

October 8, 2020: One step away. EUROS?

Third in the qualifying group for EURON 2020 after England and Czechia, Kosovo's excellent appearance in the League of Nations offers them a second chance to qualify in the continental race.

The challenge is simple: Win two games play-off against Macedonia, first against Georgia or Belarus. Nothing insurmountable for a national who hasn't stopped being surprised in the last two years. Their first stop is this Thursday in Macedonia. To come a step closer to the euro...