Albanian football was today in the epicenter of the big stage of European football! The newest club competition started its journey. UEFA Europa Conference League will play its grand finale in Tirana on May 25, 2022. An achievement that without a doubt is an excellent promoter of Albania in the international arena, that came as not an accident, but simply as a product of the long and tireless work of the Albanian Football Association and shows that the Albanian football has achieved levels that could not be thought before.
The presence of Lorik Cana in the stage during the draw for UEFA Conference League was the pinnacle of a long process of incredible transformation that football in our country went through and now has the honor and privilege to host the prestigious final. A final that will improve the image of Albania in the international arena and will serve as great publicity for our country in the eyes of everyone, without a doubt will have an impact in the economic and touristic life of the country, thus bringing thousands of fans in Tirana where the attention of international media won’t be absent.
27 August will be remembered as an historic date for Albanian Football. The works and devotion of the entire Albanian football community will be delivered on May 25, with the big final of the newest UEFA competition that will be played at ‘’Air Albania’’ stadium.
Present in this ceremony was present the president of AFA, Armand Duka, as a member of the Executive Committee of UEFA. Lorik Cana will serve as an ambassador of UEFA Conference League for the final “Tirana 2022’’. He was present during the draw and was received with the highest honors by the government of European football. Speaking before the draw, the former captain of the Albanian national team, stressed that the decision to play the final of Conference League in one of the most modern stadiums in Europe is an appraisal for the great achievements that Albanian football has conquered lately.
“If you look back you see that almost all children who have a passion for football dream of reaching the highest levels of football. I am happy and very proud of what I have achieved during my career. I had the opportunity to start Paris SG, I managed to play with the club I was a fan of as a child, Olimpique Marseille, then I came to Turkey to Galatasaray and then to Lazio. In general, I have had great career achievements even playing in the UEFA, Champions & Europa League competitions, but in personal terms my journey with the Albanian National Team is undoubtedly the greatest pride “, – said Lorik Cana, adding:
“The stadium is, let’s say, as an image or message that the developing Balkan countries want to convey, a moment of appreciation for the country as well as for the image of the state and the city. The stadium is simply fantastic, very modern and one of the newest stadiums in Europe. It is very attractive, it is located downtown and I am sure we will be great hosts of the Conference League final, but also the people who will travel to watch the match will be in the middle of the city and will enjoy the our beautiful Albania ”, – were the words of Lorik Cana at the opening ceremony.
While, the President of UEFA, Aleksandër Ceferin, after presenting the new trophy, said that the football community has welcomed the creation of this new competition and has a lot of enthusiasm from the member federations for this tournament: “Football is inclusive, football is our history, football is our passion and everyone should have a chance to dream of playing in European competitions. I think these competitions show that small countries can play with big countries, anyone can play with anyone. Football is not just a sport for the elite, it is not just a sport for the richest people in the world, but it is our sport and no one can take it away from us. Reactions from UEFA member federations to this tournament have been excellent. When you see how big, medium or small federations are so unanimous about something it is very exciting. Of course, in the beginning we had some criticism from people who criticize everything, but then the criticism stopped, because they saw that this is a very serious tournament “, – said Aleksander Ceferin.
