Passionate duel: Croatia’s Josip Sutalo (above) and Albania’s Rey Manaj in an air battle
Photo: dpa/Marcus Brandt
It was just that Afternoon game on this sixth match day of the European Football Championship in Germany. But before the Germans met Hungary in Stuttgart in the evening, Croatia and Albania had already fought a spectacular battle: after a Croatian comeback in the second half, the supposedly beaten Albania managed to make it 2-2 in stoppage time. A football battle that thrilled.
It was a game of survival for the Group B losers of the first matchday, and the fans in Hamburg celebrated loudly Volksparkstadion: The Albanians lost 1-2 against Italy, the Croatians lost 0-3 against Spain.
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Albania started like it did against Italy: wild, determined, undeterred. Not everything looked elegant, but the first few minutes undoubtedly belonged to the red and black. Croatia’s captain Luka Modric struggled to keep his team in order, but the Albanians played more effectively – and once again proved to be specialists in quick goals at Euro 2024: Jasir Asani crossed from the right into the penalty area in the 12th minute, where Qazim Laçi , the midfielder of Sparta Prague, evaded his opponent Marcelo Brozović and headed the ball directly into the short corner. Dominik Livaković in the Croatian goal could only jam, the score was 0-1. In the red-black fan block, which was raging directly behind the Croatian goal, they fell into each other’s arms.
The favorites were impressed by the verve with which Albania acted in the first half. Their match plan didn’t work. Their fans could set off as many smoke bombs and Bengalos as they wanted. Croatian dominance? Only in the stands.
They arrived in Hamburg from the team camp in Neuruppin with a big chest. After Croatia’s national coach Zlatko Dalić apologized to the fans for the defeat against Spain on Saturday, he went on the offensive again before kick-off in Hamburg’s Volkspark: “We were on the podium three times in international competitions. And yet we are still seen as the Cinderellas of major tournaments.«
The underdogs from Albania, visibly inspired by the strong opening game against Italy, created further chances after the goal, always following the same successful pattern: cross from the right, header in the middle. Albania was close to 2-0 twice. In the 31st minute by Kristjan Asllani and shortly before the break by Rey Manaj’s flying header, both times goalkeeper Livaković kept Croatia in the game.
“We will do our best,” Albania coach Sylvinho announced on Tuesday. “Our team is 100 percent fit.” In the second half, the team needs this stamina. In the 70th minute, the Albanians could no longer withstand the pressure of the Croatians, who were now constantly attacking: Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramarić got the ball in the Albanian penalty area, tunneled past his opponent and hit the near corner. Compensation. Just two minutes later the game was turned around, a shot from substitute Luka Sučić was blocked and Klaus Gjasula from Darmstadt 98, who was rushing back, put the ball into his own net. 2:1, the Albanians seem defeated. What a misfortune! What should Albania do now? Hardly anyone in the stadium would have bet another euro on her.
But the outsiders pick themselves up: they simply continue to fight tirelessly. And they are redeemed in the fifth minute of stoppage time: the unlucky guy, Klaus Gjasula, scores unchallenged from eleven meters after a pass from the left to make it 2-2. The arena is upside down. When the final whistle sounds shortly afterwards, the Albanians dance wildly. And a few speedsters join the celebrating players. Party atmosphere.
Third place in the World Cup, Croatia, now has to worry about qualifying for the round of 16, against Italy on June 24th at 9 p.m. The Albanians have the same starting position, but a goal difference that is two goals better in the fight for third place in the group. And: They have nothing to lose against Spain either.
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