Albania writes European Championship history
Italy recovers quickly from embarrassment after 22 seconds
15.06.2024, 22:56
Italy’s start to the European Football Championship went terribly wrong: after just 23 seconds the team was behind against Albania – after a catastrophic misunderstanding. But the Italians quickly managed to turn things around against the underdog.
Despite Albania’s record start with the fastest goal in European Championship history, Italy managed a must-win at the start of their mission to defend their title. After Nedim Bajrami’s lightning goal after 23 seconds, the 2021 European champions kept a cool head in a 2-1 (2-1) victory against the underdogs after falling behind and in front of tens of thousands of Albanian fans.
Three years after winning the title at Wembley, Bajrami gave the Squadra Azzurra a cold shower in the Dortmund cauldron when he replaced the Russian Dmitri Kiritschenko, who had scored after 67 seconds in the preliminary round in 2004, as the fastest goalscorer at the European Championships. However, Italy remained cool and presented themselves with great composure: Alessandro Bastoni (11th) and Nicolo Barella (16th) turned the game around against the supposedly easiest opponent in the tough Group B with Spain and Croatia.
On the second day of the tournament, referee Felix Zwayer celebrated his debut on the big stage. His nomination for the European Championship was not without controversy; the Berliner was only briefly in the spotlight when the 2-1 goal was reviewed, otherwise he remained inconspicuous and refereed the match with confidence.
Experience magical nights again
Italy’s national team wants to try to “relive the magical nights of 2021,” promised captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. In Dortmund, where Italy had destroyed Germany’s World Cup dreams in the 2006 semi-finals, the Squadra Azzurra expected a real away game. Long before kick-off, the shrill “Shqiperia” (Albanian: Albania) echoed through the stadium. And when Bajrami took advantage of an embarrassing throw-in from Federico Dimarco to take an early lead, the Albanian party in the stands reached its brief climax.
The two-time title holder shook himself briefly – and hit back ice cold. Bastoni headed in at the far post after a short corner, and shortly afterwards pacesetter Barella, who had reported fit in time, scored with a dry shot from the edge of the penalty area. The Italians, who are by no means among the top favorites after missing out on the 2022 World Cup and the bumpy qualification, dominated at will and let the underdog run. Davide Frattesi’s attempt was deflected onto the post by Albania’s goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha with a reflex save (33′).
A special game for ten Albanians
It was a special match for ten Albanian professionals who play in Italy. The team of Brazilian Sylvinho, who was once successful as a player with FC Barcelona and FC Arsenal, rarely made any offensive moves in their second finals appearance after 2016, even after the break. Italy controlled the action, but initially missed the decisive goal. Things got tight again in the 90th minute when Rey Manaj narrowly missed the Italian goal from a tight angle.
Before the match, the Dortmund police prevented an attack by Italian hooligans on Albanian fans. 50 “high-risk fans”, some of whom were carrying “dangerous objects” according to the authorities, sought confrontation with an Albanian group in Potgasse, a police spokesman said.