Euro U-17, Duka: Another historic moment for Albanian football

2025-03-31 23:39:00, Sport CNA

At a ceremony held today at the "House of Football", the draw for the U-17 European Championship "Albania 2025" was made, the major tournament for this age group that will take place from May 19 to June 1 in our country.

The President of the Football Federation, Armand Duka, during his speech, described this competition as a unique opportunity to show the progress of Albanian football. He underlined the importance of this tournament as another step in the development and promotion of young talents, considering it a celebration of sporting values ??and passion for football.

Also, the head of the Albanian football government emphasized that the organization of this championship is another proof of the Federation's commitment to raising the level of football in the country, mentioning investments in infrastructure and the development of new generations of football players.

In conclusion, President Duka wished success to all participating teams and invited everyone to discover the beauties of Albania, experiencing this tournament not only as a sports competition, but also as a unique cultural and welcoming experience.

Below, the full speech of President Duka during the draw for the U-17 European Championship "Albania 2025":

"Honorable representatives of the federations, friends of football, guests and sports lovers,

Today is a special and emotional day for all of us, as we have the privilege and honor of hosting the draw ceremony for the UEFA EURO 2025 U-17 finals, a competition that will be held in Albania from May 19 to June 1.

Let me, first of all, express my warmest welcome to the representatives of UEFA, the federations of the participating countries, the coaches, the players and all the football lovers who passionately follow the development of our continent's young talents.

For Albania and the Albanian Football Federation, hosting this tournament is a testament to our commitment to the development of football and its rise to international levels. In recent years, we have demonstrated our organizational skills with important events, including the historic UEFA Europa Conference League final in 2022 in Tirana, which confirmed once again that we are capable of delivering events with special impact and emotion. This success motivates and encourages us to work even harder to ensure that the U17 EURO 2025, which will be played in Albania from 19 May to 1 June, is another historic moment for Albanian and European football.

The presence of the Minister of Education and Sports in Albania, Ms. Ogerta Manastirliu, is proof of the importance and seriousness of this competition.

The Albanian Football Federation has worked with continuous dedication to raise the level of Albanian football. We have invested in club academies, helped increase the quality of training and brought new projects for the development of children and youth football. Organizing a tournament like the UEFA EURO U-17 is a unique opportunity to demonstrate our progress and continue the growth of football in the country.

Through modern strategies and sustainable policies, we have managed to increase the number of children who are active in football, we have improved the playing conditions and we have brought modern infrastructure. The new stadiums and standardized fields are part of a long-term plan to create a favorable environment for the growth of future generations of Albanian football.

This tournament is not just a football competition. It is a celebration of sporting values, passion and talent. We are convinced that the EURO U-17 finals will be a fantastic showcase for the stars of the future of European football. Albania will do everything to make this event unforgettable for all participants and to provide unique emotions for the fans.

During this tournament, I invite you all to experience not only the excitement of football, but also to discover the extraordinary beauties of Albania. From the magnificent Ionian and Adriatic coasts, to historic cities and majestic mountains, our country offers a unique experience that combines sport with Albanian culture and welcoming traditions. We are sure that you will feel at home and leave with unforgettable memories.

We believe that sport, and especially football, has the power to bring people together, create opportunities and inspire future generations. Organizing this tournament gives us the opportunity to showcase not only our organizational skills, but also our passion and love for football.

I wish success to all participating teams and I hope that this experience will remain a beautiful and valuable memory for all the players who will take to the field and those who will follow from the stadium steps.

Thank you and welcome to Albania!