AP for Albania match Serbia: Facing Only Three Points

The AP writes that facing Tirana is not only about three points, since the echo of previous confrontations is impossible to ignore, and confrontation which is deeply rooted in national identity, which “organisers are trying at any cost to set aside”.

Facing Albania, Serbia, according to the AP, is one of the most politically and emotionally charged rivalries in European football, based on deep historical and ethnic tensions, especially those related to Kosovo's war and the wider history of the Balkans.

The Associated Press also recalled the October 2014 match in Belgrade, which was interrupted when you were afraid with the flag “Autochthonous”, flew over Belgrade's sky, which then caused major clashes in the field.

Albania's “was awarded victory 3-0 following a decision stressing that the game could not continue due to the hostile atmosphere in the stadium. This victory secured Albania's qualifications at the 2016 European Championships the first time in history for the Albanian national”.

Even before the match, that confrontation was described as high-risk. Kosovo, which has a majority Albanian population, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 an act Serbia does not recognise. Football, often a reflection of nationalism and politics, reflected this deep split”.

Serbia and Albania continue to have disagreements about the status of already independent Kosovo, and the rivalry among fans remains heated”.

“Nearly half of the Albanian team consists of players of Albanian origin from Kosovo, Northern Macedonia or southern Serbia”.

For players, this is a game covered by the shadow of history, politics and national pride a reminder that sometimes sports is not just a” game, the AP wrote.

Guardian Elseid Hysey, who was part of the October 2014 match, also spoke of the match, saying that chaos “should not be repeated”.

We need to be calm and aware that we're football players. We are here to satisfy the fans and give the best for the” victory, Hysa told the AP.

Inevitably, Albanian Football Federation President Armand Duka has also spoken of, who once again called on Albanians to view the match against Serbia as a sporting event, where “ekipipi receives positive support and energy from fans to achieve the” goal.

“Players do not carry the burden of history or political tensions. They compete in the field to win, to give the best for the fans they represent and, above all, to build respect bridges through the” game, Duka told the AP.

The Associated Press mentioned the statement they called, “Serbia's populist President”, Allexander Vuciq, who, according to them, has increased tension by telling Serbia's coach, Dragan Stojkovic, at a large rally of his supporters, that Serbia “must win. ”

“Go there and beat”, Vucinqi told Picciqi, the nickname of Serbia's coach, who was in the crowd, writes the AP, broadcasts Klankosova.tv.

While, according to the AP, Stojkovqi and some players have tried to ease tensions, saying this is just another match.

Everybody says the first fight is very important. We are very focused on starting out the way we want to, and we will prepare to play as best we can, with all due respect for Albania”. /Periscope/