Euro U-17 / FSHF organizes a welcome dinner, Duka: We did our best to make you feel at home

2025-05-25 16:27:00, Sport CNA

Euro U-17 / FSHF organizes a welcome dinner, Duka: We did our best to make you

The Football Federation organized a reception dinner in honor of the teams participating in the U-17 European Championship "Albania 2025", the UEFA organizational staff, as well as many other guests from the world of football.

During this evening, the President of the Albanian Football Federation, Armand Duka, gave a welcoming speech where he emphasized the importance of this event for Albania, describing it as a special event not only for Albanian football, but also for the young people who follow and play this sport.

President Duka also underlined that all efforts have been made to ensure that the organization of the U-17 European Championship is at the highest level, ensuring the best possible conditions for all participants, with the aim of making them feel at home and leaving Albania with beautiful memories.

"On behalf of myself, the Football Federation and the Albanian community, I welcome you to Albania. This final tournament of the European Championship, for many of you, given that you have a lot of experience in federations, or for Christopher who has over 30 years in UEFA, may be an ordinary thing, but for us it is a very special and important thing.

It's not that we have had any previous experience in organizing final tournaments of this level. We have organized other things before, maybe smaller ones, even the Conference League final. But this tournament has its own characteristics and is truly more beautiful than the others. It is important for the children who play football, for the children who have been on the steps of the stadiums to support them and why not, to become footballers tomorrow. What is most important for us, as assistants to the organizers, which is UEFA, is that you feel comfortable and good, you and all the young people who have come to play in Albania.

I don't know if you are really satisfied and if our staff did everything well, but one thing I am sure of; we did our best to make you feel at home. So that the young boys are comfortable in their training and playing, and that they leave not only from this important activity, but also from our country, with a good and beautiful memory. Why not, to have also created friendships, because ultimately, through the game, we exchange cultures and create friendships.

We are only in the middle of the Championship, and unfortunately our team hasn't had good results, but I am happy that we are part of this European Championship as a team.

"I believe that the boys who played should also be satisfied, because they have created a beautiful experience. Since we are nearing the end, I hope that the rest of the season will go even better than so far and that we end it with a beautiful final in Tirana," said President Duka.

UEFA delegate Claudio Negroni praised the organization of the EURO U17 finals in Albania, describing it as a successful test. He commended the work of the Albanian Football Association and highlighted the high fan turnout, with an average of 4,500 spectators per match, the second highest figure since 2002.

"I am pleased to speak on behalf of the UEFA representatives about the finals of this competition, which Albania is organizing for the first time, but which will not be the last, as Albania will welcome the EURO U21 finals in 2027.

The U17 EURO is a very good test, a good training, and we wish the President and his team all the best and success in organizing this prestigious tournament. This is the future, but for me the present looks very good.

Sincere thanks go to Evian, the tournament director, and her team, who are doing a very good job so far.

Another element that is very impressive is the attendance at the matches. So far we have had 4,500 spectators present in the stadium in almost every match, which is the second best record for attendance since 2002. Germany continues to hold the record for many years with over 5,500 spectators,” said Claudio Negroni.