The President of the Albanian Football Federation (AFF), Armand Duka, has spoken once again about the 21 U2027 European Championship, which Albania is organizing together with Serbia. In a long interview with UEFA, he spoke about the benefits that Albania will have by organizing the European Championship.
Duka's interview with UEFA was published on Thursday on the official AFF website.
"The application process was individual, but with a kind of pragmatism along the way, we decided to join the candidacies with the Serbian Federation to have more chances to win the organization of this tournament. Albania has never organized a sports tournament of such a high level before. We will host the finals of the U17 European Championship in May this year, which is also an important competition, but hosting the finals of the U21 European Championship is a much higher level. The benefits for Albania are numerous, from the participation of our U-21 National Team for the first time in the finals of a European Championship to continuing with the improvements in infrastructure that this tournament will bring. There will be economic benefits, especially in terms of tourism," said Duka.
He further emphasized that the joint European Championship with Serbia will be more than just a football tournament.
"Last but not least, I think the messages we give to the world with this organization are very big. The European U-21 Championship 2027 will be more than a football tournament. It will serve as an incentive to break down barriers, strengthen mutual understanding and create a more positive future for the peoples of the Balkans, and will show what can be achieved when people unite around a common objective, inspired by the power of football," Duka emphasized.
Duka holds an important position in the European Football Confederation. He is one of the vice-presidents of UEFA. Duka has also been heading the UEFA Media Committee for two years.
"It is a privilege for me to contribute to the UEFA Executive Committee and then as chairman of the UEFA media committee," said Duka.
The UEFA Executive Committee in February made official the decision that the 2027 European Under-21 Championship will be held in Albania and Serbia.
Reactions to the joint organization of Albania and Serbia were numerous. Football experts, fan groups and various fans have reacted. But there has been and is not expected to be any reaction from the Football Federation of Kosovo.
