I also am very excited for this one. I pegged this as one of my games to watch in the Group Stage because of the derby feel to it. So may connections between the teams, not least the battle of the Xhakas (even the Boatengs matchup in WC2014 couldn't compare since only half-brothers).... For what its worth I am very interested to see Albania, I think they are an intriguing team that could pull a shock or two at this tournament.
I have heard various commentators talk up Albania as a dark horse. Let's see what they got when the lights go on and the pressure starts. They looked good against Portugal in the one qualifier I saw of them.
Also don't forget these friendlies: France 1-1 Albania Albania 1-0 France I honestly tip them to steal a point against France. France still wins the group with 7pts, but I have a feeling Albania will snatch 1 point from their game with France.
I'm sure they'll get a point here or there, but the problem for Albania is that in order to progress, you really need to win a game and that's where the problem will be for them... having gone to Albania last summer, I watched a couple of their last qualifiers with interest but really struggled over the finish line losing at home to both Portugal and Serbia before finally beating Armenia. Can't help but be turned off a bit by the fact that that 3-0 awarded win in Serbia was a huge factor in them qualifying. But anyway, I am keen to see them make their debut. The real story here in brother vs brother at international level: Granat vs Taulant Shaka..... has that ever happened before at this level?
Not exactly the Euros, but Jerome Boateng vs. Kevin Prince Boateng were on opposite teams in '14 World Cup. Steve Mandanda (France) played against his brother Parfait Mandanda (Congo) once in a friendly. The other brother v. brother game that could happen one day is Paul Pogba (France) vs. Florentin Pogba (Guinea) or Rafinha (Brazil) vs. Thiago Alcantara (Spain)
Granit Xhaka, Valon Behrami, Blerim Xhemaili, Xherdan Shaqiri, Shani Tarashaj and Admir Mehmedi. Six Swiss players with Albanian/Kosovar roots. Lorik Cana, Ansi Agolli, Naser Aliji, Ermir Lenjani, Burim Kukeli, Armando Sadiku are all Albanians who have lived/played in Switzerland. Arlind Ajeti, Freddie Veseli, Migjen Basha, Amir Abrashi, Shkelzen Gashi, Taulant Xhaka were actually born in Switzerland ... 12 players total
That is a cheesy joke about Albania. I would like to try to make jokes about Switzerland but will stay neutral on that idea.