Klaus Gjasula and Valbona Selimllari, the two ambassadors of the UEFA U-17 European Championship “Albania 2025” finals, spoke to the media after the end of the draw ceremony at the “House of Football”.
The former Albanian national football player, Klaus Gjasula, who drew the balls during the draw, expressed that organizing the UEFA U-17 European Championship in Albania is not only a boost for football but also for the state of Albania itself, as the whole world will focus on this very important tournament.
Gjasula encouraged the boys, highlighting that they should not be afraid, as they are playing at home and will have strong support from the fans. He expressed that they should enjoy this competition and give their maximum.
You are selected as an ambassador of the EURO U-17 “Albania 2025” – I am proud, it is a great honor.
How does a European Championship held in Albania look like? – Organizing “Euro 2025” in Albania is not only a boost for football but also for the state of Albania, as the whole world will come here to watch the matches. We can show the world that we haven’t just progressed in football, but we have also made advances as a nation. From an organizational standpoint, it won’t be easy, as it’s a very large event. However, I am confident that we will succeed, we will make everyone happy, and it will be a beautiful celebration.
How important will it be for the young players, considering that many scouts will be present in the stadium? – There is nothing more important in football than having an opportunity like this to present yourself. It’s not something that happens every day. Many people will be watching the matches, not only scouts but also those following from their TVs. For a talent, this event is the pinnacle, as they will have the chance to display their skills on an important stage. I wish our team the best of luck and success, but above all, they should enjoy this tournament. We should not be afraid of the names of our opponents, as we are playing at home and we know the fans will support us. We have confidence in the boys, they need to give their best.
Can we expect surprises if we step onto the field with the mentality of a team that has nothing to lose? – Absolutely, history has always shown that. Even last summer, when we were at the “Germany 2024” European Championship, no one believed in us. But we showed strong performances and came very close to qualifying for the next round. Now it’s time to support the U-17 National Team in this European Championship.
On the other hand, Valbona Selimllari expressed that, despite the opponents, the most important thing is gaining experience. The event’s ambassador called on the fans to support the National Team in this important tournament, emphasizing that the team has the potential to deliver dignified performances and make us proud.
The draw? – The opponents are strong, but I think that by playing against strong teams, you gain experience and this is the most valuable thing.
The message you want to send? – Give your best. You can’t even imagine how much strength you have. Just don’t feel intimidated, and I want to tell you that you are the best in the world. You’re facing fantastic teams, so show your strength and talent. Make us proud!
Event ambassador? – When I was younger, I played football. In high school, I was part of Dinamo as a professional athlete. I urge everyone to support the players in this tournament. Today, Albanian football has a different identity. We are proud of our football. If we once dreamed of being in the European Championship, today we are there, and we aim to continue further. The boys need us a lot, so we must support them strongly.
