Euro 2025 for girls/ Franja, Elezaj & Delija: Let's give more than 100% to Norway

2024-10-23 12:44:00, Sport CNA

Euro 2025 for girls/ Franja, Elezaj & Delija: Let's give more than 100%

Girls' national team, Source: FSHF

There are only two days left from the first meeting against Norway and the national team for girls is intensively preparing to get a positive result and ensure for the first time a qualification to the finals of the European 2025.

The team is training in Shkodër and everything went normally, as luckily there were no problems for coach Armir Grima's team. The three footballers of the red and black representative, Esmeralda Franja, Endrina Elezaj and Eriola Delija, praised Norway, but also believe in the strength of the Albanian girls' national team.

Franja underlined that the team must give more than 100% on the field of play, while also commenting on the new names and returns to the team.

"These are two very important matches for us because the Norwegian team is very strong and we have to give more than 100% to get positive results. But anyway we will give our best on the field of play and why not get a positive result. It has been several years as part of the National Team and for me it is a privilege to represent Albania. Of course, there will be new arrivals, because the national team needs young girls and new blood to give the best for Albania. We have received them well. There should be a new spirit in the team and they should give their best in the team and why not continue and contribute to the National Team" - said Esmeralda Franja, who also spoke about the opposing team and also invited the Albanian fans to support them in this challenge decisive.

"There are many difficult matches because the Norwegian team has many girls who play in very strong teams of the championships of Spain, England, France. It is difficult for us, but we will give our best to get a positive result. Many times we have played with the National Team in Shkodër and I think we have had very good performances and I think it is a stadium where we are lucky. It is positive for us, because footballers need support. Even for us as girls who play at Vllaznia, it is our home and we feel good that we will play at the "Loro Boriçi" stadium. I call on the fans to come and support us because their support can give us an extra push on the day of the match" - underlined Esmeralda Franja, among others.

Endrina Elezaj is a name that returned to the Albanian National Team. The red and black defender has left behind the long injury and is already waiting to make her contribution with the team.

"I missed the national team. It is an honor and a pleasure to represent the Red and Black National Team. The atmosphere is always good. We are a homogeneous group, we have become like a big family. The red and black family. I will give my best for Albania, as I have given in every gathering that I have been present, with all my strength and possibilities I will protect the team," she said.

Elezaj also comments on the transfer to the Dinamo Zagreb team, while also giving a message to all the fans of the National Team.

"I was helped by the Croatian championship and the Dinamo Zagreb team where I currently play. The level of professionalism is very high. My performance and good form at Dinamo Zagreb give me the opportunity to represent Albania as well as possible and to make a greater contribution. The fans? I appeal to all the fans that we are waiting for them in the play-off match against Norway. It's a high-level opponent, so we don't have to feel inferior. We are well mobilized and prepared. We have soccer players from all over Albania and we believe in victory. Why not" - is the message of Endrina Elezaj.

Eriola Delija returns to the red and black team after the adventure with the team in the friendly matches in Malta. Now the midfielder of Albanian origin can give her contribution even in official matches with the National Team and give her maximum and the whole team. Delija also recounts the emotions of the gathering.

"Normally I have emotions that I am a new player of National Team A. We were in a gathering in Malta, a friendly match and I had the opportunity to show myself, I gave my best there. I believe that we should not take the match with stress. We have to give our best to please the people who will come to see us and support us. First of all, I want to integrate with the team" - says Delija, who also invites the fans to support them in the stadium.

"Yes, I hope we will have many fans in the stadium. My whole family will come and thank everyone who will come. I hope they will support us, as it is an important match and we really need support" - says Eriola Delija.

The Football Federation invites all Albanian fans to support the girls' national team in these two very important matches against Norway. Their presence at the "Loro Boriçi" stadium on October 25, at 4:00 p.m. would give the team more courage to successfully overcome this challenge. Entrance to the stadium will be free. /CNA