5 surprise packages from the Euro 2016 qualifiers
With another set of matchdays over, the qualification campaign for Euro 2016 is drawing to its end as the final set of matchdays will begin next month. As of now, some teams have already confirmed their berth at Euro 2016 and while many have already been eliminated.So far, the qualifiers have had their fair share of surprises and upsets with the expansion of the format boosting the spirit of many unheralded teams who have shone in the qualifiers. Here are the five biggest surprise packages of the Euro 2016 qualifiers so far.
#5 Albania
Albania have been a big surprise package of these qualifiers. Placed in a group consisting of Portugal, Demark and Serbia, they were expected to just make up the numbers along with Armenia. However, they produced one of the biggest upsets of the qualifiers in their opening match as they beat Portugal 1-0 at Aveiro thanks to a goal from Bekim Balaj.
Their other notable performances have been drawing against Denmark in both legs. The team hasn’t boasted of many individual performances throughout the qualifiers but have performed brilliantly as a unit. Apart from their strike-force and midfield, which hasn’t been very impressive, Albania have had a solid defence orchestrated by captain Lorik Cana as the Albanians have only allowed three goals - the least in their group. Their performances in the qualifiers had earned them an all-time high FIFA ranking of 22.
Albania are currently in third place in their group, one point behind Denmark, and are already assured of a playoff spot. However, two wins out of two in their remaining matches would give Albania second position in their group and direct qualification, provided Denmark do not win both of their matches.
Their qualification would mainly be resting on Bekim Balaj, Lorik Cana, Hamdi Salihi and Etrit Berisha.