[ad_1]
The dream of participating in the tournament for the first time lives on. Image: EPA
The most important game in history: all Kosovo dreams of ME
On Thursday, Kosovo has a great opportunity to take another step towards qualifying for the MS next summer. For coach Bernard Challandes’ team, the Barrage is also about presenting itself as an independent nation.
A year ago, Kosovo was already close to securing a ticket to Euro 2020 in qualifying. Now, the youngest member of UEFA hopes to make up for what was initially lost. In the semifinals of the Barrage, which had to be postponed from spring to autumn due to the corona pandemic, Kosovo will face North Macedonia. If this hurdle is skipped, the team still lacks a victory, on November 12 against the winner of the Georgia vs. Belarus duel.
In Kosovo they talk about the most important match in the history of the national team. The small country, which was never recognized by Serbia after its declaration of independence in 2008, is defined through the national soccer team. “The players do more for our recognition on the international stage than for our diplomacy,” 41-year-old taxi driver Arsim Mehana told AFP news agency.
Switzerland as a builder of success
It wasn’t until 2016 that the area with its 1.8 million inhabitants became a member of UEFA and FIFA, much to the chagrin of Serbia. “It is not just a soccer game. We are in a new country, Kosovo and the football team is very important for the people here ”, emphasizes Bernard Challandes.
Committed as always: Bernard Challandes. Image: keystone
The Neuchâtel is considered the builder of success. “It brings continuity,” said the association’s president, Eroll Salihu. “Our players have Kosovar roots, but they come from different nations and states. They combine to form a strong team through discipline and self-confidence. “
No player is employed in the national league. Most of the team members are the children of Albanian refugees who fled the regime of former Belgrade ruler Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990s. Much of the team was born in Switzerland.
Callandes with worries
In 2018/2019, the Kosovo national team achieved the feat of surviving 15 competitive matches without defeat. Only England inflicted a defeat on Kosovo last September (5-3).
Before the game against North Macedonia, Challandes remains concerned. Several players are injured, others have barely been able to train in recent months due to the corona pandemic. “We waited more than two years for this game and now we are in this situation,” Challandes said. It is important to make the most of it, “we have no alternatives.” (ram / sda / afp)
