AFA today hosted a special football tournament with the embassies, as part of the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process. This event, organized at the “House of Football” under the slogan “Friendship Through Football – Western Balkans Edition,” featured the participation of six teams: “Diplomatic League,” “WBF + RYCO,” the team of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, the team of the German Embassy in Albania, the team of the German Embassy in Kosovo, and the team of the AFA Administration.
The event was attended by the President of the AFA, Armand Duka, the German Ambassador to Albania, Karl Bergner, the German Ambassador to Kosovo, Joern Rohde, as well as other representatives from various institutions.
In his welcoming speech, the President of the Football Association, Armand Duka, thanked all those present at this special event, which conveyed positive messages through football.
Furthermore, President Duka expressed his gratitude to the German ambassadors for the fantastic hospitality extended to the Albanian national team and its fans in Germany during Euro 2024, and reiterated that the doors of the Football Federation are always open for any collaboration that serves the education of children and the improvement of life in our country.
“First of all, I want to thank all of you for being here today. In particular, I want to thank the German Ambassador to Albania, who is the initiator of this tournament, and the German Ambassador to Kosovo. I also want to thank all of you, the participants of this tournament, and the representatives of all the teams.
I am truly pleased to be here with you today and to have the opportunity to convey a message to all of you and to society in general. My words, and those of the ambassadors, may need translation, but the game itself does not. Football is unique; it speaks for itself, and that is why it is the most beautiful game in the world.
I am very happy that we, all of us involved in football, have the privilege of conveying very important messages to society because football is the most beautiful game in the world. Everyone loves it, and everyone wants to play it. At the very least, people enjoy watching it. This allows us to easily send messages, and that is one of our main objectives.
Today, besides the joy that the footballers will experience on the field, the message they will convey – ‘friendship through football’ – is very important. Our goals are to use football to educate and build a better future for society. These are the main objectives, not just the competition and winning. However, victories help convey the message more effectively.
I would like to take this opportunity, through the German ambassadors at the “House of Football”, to thank all the German people who welcomed the Albanian team and all the Albanian fans during Euro 2024. It was a fantastic event from UEFA’s organizational perspective, and thanks to the organizers in Germany and the participating teams. Undoubtedly, it was the best-organized championship ever from every point of view. The credit for that goes to Germany and the organizers there.
I want to reiterate that the doors of the Football Association are always open for any collaboration that serves the education and future of our children and contributes to improving life in our country and around the world.
Finally, as we are approaching the holiday season, I want to wish everyone who follows and plays football, as well as the entire society, a happy holiday season! May we have joyful celebrations and look forward to a successful 2025. Certainly, all teams will play for enjoyment, but one will win,” concluded President Duka.
The German ambassadors also addressed the event. In his speech, the German Ambassador to Albania, Karl Bergner, praised Albanian hospitality and highlighted how the Albanian national team and its fans made a lasting impression during Euro 2024 in Germany. He added that next year, Albania will host an important event, the U-17 European Championship.
“Thank you to everyone – the ambassadors, the team representatives, participants, guests, and fans. We are grateful to have you here. Thank you for the warm Albanian hospitality. December 2024 marks the end of a year filled with football events. You participated in Euro 2024, and I want to congratulate Albania on its team and fans, who left a wonderful impression in Germany. The team played well and, in my opinion, deserved to go further. The fans left a very positive impression of Albania; they were warm and well-integrated, without any violence. They were great friends in Germany. Next year, Albania will host an important event, the U-17 European Championship,” said Ambassador Karl Bergner.
The event started with a draw, dividing teams into two groups, A and B. In the end, the German Embassy team in Albania and the Diplomatic League advanced to the final. The tournament was won by the team from the German Embassy in Albania.
