Albania towards the World Cup, Hysaj: Poland is difficult, I have a preference for the final

2025-12-10 19:26:00, Sport CNA

Albania towards the World Cup, Hysaj: Poland is difficult, I have a preference

Elseid Hysaj was one of the most prominent players for the Albanian national team in the World Cup qualifiers. The 31-year-old showed excellent form on the right wing of defense, just like in his best times.

Recently, he spoke about Albania's journey. Hysaj stated that this edition that just ended may have been the most successful with the national team, because they achieved very good results.

The defender emphasized that it was a very strong group, where few believed in second place, while expressing regret about the match against Serbia in Tirana, where, according to him, the red and blacks deserved the victory, for what they showed on the field.

"This year I believe it could have been the best with the National Team. It was a very strong group, I believe that most of the fans thought that we probably wouldn't make it. We managed to be in second place. I'm sorry that in previous years two teams have been eliminated from the World Cup, this year it fell to the second place to make the 'play off', but still a very good year."

The match with Serbia here in Albania, we showed character. It was a very good match that we could have won. And from there we believed that the next match in Albania would be decisive for us. We had a chance to win because the match in Albania was well played. We gained confidence in that match, it changed our opinion about qualification.”

Hysaj also spoke about Poland, the opponent in the "play off" phase, who he said are a difficult team, while adding that the draw could have been even easier. Shkodrani said that he would like Sweden in the final, given the difficult moment they are going through.

"Poland is very strong, I thought it was an easier team. Football is beautiful because you can have difficult matches and win them. It only takes a minute to make a mistake, change your life, or win the match and you can qualify. We have played many matches in Poland, we have also had losses. If we play like in the last matches, like with England and Serbia there, I believe we can have a chance to qualify.

"I don't know who I prefer. Both Ukraine and Sweden are strong teams. Sweden has had some ups and downs now, but they are a strong team with names. I would like Sweden more."

Albania will face Poland in March in Warsaw and, if they qualify, will face the winner of the Ukraine-Sweden duel in the play-off final.