Gjimshiti: Some dreams come true, Albanians want the World Cup

2025-03-20 19:55:00, Sport CNA

The captain of our national team, Berat Gjimshiti, returns to the team after an absence in the Nations League, as he states that he has found the team with a very positive atmosphere. He underlined in the press conference that Albania will try everything tomorrow on the field against England, while he gave high marks to the opponent.

Gjimshiti said, among other things, that the team has been well prepared during these days and will fight as a group to stop the islanders.

The captain of the national team, Berat Gjimshiti, returns to the team after the absence in the Nations League and said that he has found a very positive atmosphere. In the press conference, the red and black captain praised the opponent with high marks, but stressed that Albania will try everything on the field against England. Gjimshiti said, among other things, that the team has prepared well during these days and will fight as a group to stop the islanders.

How did you find the atmosphere in the team after returning – I found a very good atmosphere. A new spirit, there are some new players, they are talents, they improve the team. In training I have seen that everyone gives their maximum on the field to achieve a goal that has never happened. I believe this is the most important thing.

Can we qualify for the World Cup? – They say dreams are impossible, but I believe that some dreams do come true. And why not. I don't believe that people previously thought that Albania would qualify for the European Championship twice. We are a smaller team than England, but we have a goal. We have to try because we have the opportunity, to give everything and in the end the result is seen. But we have to give everything on the field and then if we achieve it, it is a success.

How do you rate the match considering the opponent? – England's strength is known, I don't want to talk about individual players. We are well prepared, the coach has told us what we have to do on the field and we will be prepared to give everything on the field. What is most important is that the team does what it knows how to do on the field. We had a few days available to prepare, but we prepared very well and we will see tomorrow.

Will you be able to block Harry Kane? – Individually I don't think we should talk about England's players. The team has a difficult job tomorrow, not just Gjimshiti or whoever will play tomorrow. As a team we have to stop England's attack. It won't be individual duels, but it will be a team duel and I believe that if we cope well, they will have a hard time.

How do you think Albania will cope with tomorrow's challenge, considering that England enters as a favorite? – I believe that England enters the field as a favorite to win not only against us, but also against other teams. I do not believe that England will underestimate us because they also know that we have done some good things as a national team. Football is not known, I believe that they will not underestimate us.

What have you learned from the European Championship and what will you apply in tomorrow's match? – I believe we had a good European Championship, even though we didn't advance. We had very strong, world-class opponents, like England tomorrow. We need to have 100% concentration throughout the match. In the European Championship, we conceded goals quickly in the matches against Italy and Croatia due to not having 100% concentration on the field.

What are your chances of getting through the group? – It's too early to talk about the chances. Maybe after four games it can be better defined. But we won't enter the field without a goal. We will give everything on the field.