As the Colorado Rapids head into its summer break, Shkëlzen Gashi will join Albania as they take part in the European Championships in France. Stay tuned as we'll be updating his progress after each Albania match.
Shk
ëlzen Gashi
Sunday, June 19th, Albania 1-0 Romania
Wednesday, June 15, Albania 0-2 France
Saturday, June 11, Albania 0-1 Switzerland
6/23: Albania has been knocked out of the European Championships after Wednesday's results in Group F meant they wouldn't finish as a top four third-place team. After losing their first two matches, they defeated Romania 1-0, their first win in a major tournament. They might not have progressed in the tournament, but they made their home country proud and have even been awarded with diplomatic passports for their efforts.
6/19: On Sunday, Albania defeated Romania for the first time since 1948 through Armando Sadiku's 43rd minute header. The victory marks the first ever for Albania in a major tournament and puts them in a position to progress to the knockout stage as one of the best 3rd place teams in the group stage. Gashi was an unused substitution again, but he will be anxiously waiting to see if his team progresses.
6/16: Albania frustrated France for most of the match, but a late lapse in concentration allowed Antoine Griezmann a free header on the six which he buried. As Albania pushed for the equalizer, France took advantage and Dimitiri Payet struck in the last minute of stoppage time to give France the 2-0 victory. Gashi was an unused substitute.
6/13: Albania dropped their first match of the Euros losing to Switzerland 1-0 on Saturday. Gashi came in as a substitute in the 82nd minute and had a chance to draw level when he found himself with only to keeper to beat, but his shot was tipped over the bar. Albania will now face hosts France on Wednesday.
6/03: In their last friendly before the Euros, Albania fell to Ukraine 3-1. Gashi came on as a substitute in the 67th minute. They open their European Championship against a tough Switzerland side on Saturday.
6/01: Gashi was named to Albania’s final 23 man roster for the European Championships this summer. With their first match of the tournament on June 11, Albania have one more warmup friendly against Ukraine. He played the first half of the 3-1 win over Qatar last Sunday.
