Albania & Serbia to Host 2027 U-21 Euros Together

Albania and Serbia will co-host the 2027 Under-21 European Championship, putting aside past tensions to bring the tournament to the Balkans.


Albania and Serbia Will Host 2027 U-21 Euros Together

Albania and Serbia will work together to host the 2027 Under-21 European Championship, UEFA announced on Tuesday. These two countries have had a tense history, joined forces to make a successful bid for the tournament.

The tournament will have 16 teams and be played in four cities in each country. In Albania, games will take place in Tirana, Shkoder, Elbasan, and Rrogozhine. 

Matches will be held in Serbia in Novi Sad, Loznica, Leskovac, and Zajecar. The opening game will be in Serbia, while the final will happen in Albania.

Since they are hosting, both Albania and Serbia automatically qualify, while 14 other teams will need to earn their spots in the qualifiers.

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Albania & Serbia to Host 2027 U-21 Euros Together
Albania & Serbia to Host 2027 U-21 Euros Together

Football Brings Albania & Serbia Together

Albania and Serbia haven’t always had the best relationship, with a lot of political tensions over the years. Things got really bad in the late 1990s during the Kosovo War. NATO even had to step in with airstrikes against Serbian forces to stop violence against Albanians. Kosovo later declared independence in 2008, but Serbia still doesn’t recognize it.

Football has also seen its share of drama. In 2014, a match between Albania and Serbia had to be stopped when a drone carrying a “Greater Albania” flag flew over the pitch, leading to fights between players and a major political argument.

Big Tournament for the Balkans

Unlike the senior Euros, which happen every four years, the Under-21 Euros take place every two years. Slovakia is set to host the 2025 tournament, where England will defend their title.

The 2027 edition will be a big moment for Albania and Serbia, showing that football can bring people together, even when politics have kept them apart.

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