Serbia-Albania match, Swiss newspaper: More than football. Test on the history, politics and future of the Balkans

The prestigious Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung has dedicated an article to this Saturday's match between Serbia and Albania, calling it one of the most tense matches of the World Cup qualifiers.

According to foreign media, the meeting is not simply a sporting duel, but a test of how the two peoples will confront the shadows of the past and the possibility of cooperation in the future, especially on the eve of Euro 2027, which is expected to be organized jointly by Belgrade and Tirana for the first time.

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Saturday's match between Albania and Serbia in the framework of the World Cup qualifiers is considered one of the most tense. In addition to its sporting importance, it is seen as a test for the atmosphere of the European Championship that will be held in two years.

The match will not take place in Belgrade, but in the small town of Leskovac, where the stadium has a capacity of only 8,100 seats. There will be no section for Albanian fans, as tickets have not been put on sale. Hundreds of police will secure the stadium, including snipers, civilian agents and drone experts, measures aimed at avoiding a repeat of the 2014 incident.

The drone incident and its aftermath in 2014

In a Euro 2016 qualifier, Serbian fans threw stones at the Albanian team bus and booed the national anthem. In the 42nd minute, a drone with the flag of “Greater Albania” flew over the pitch, causing a scuffle between players. The match was abandoned, but the aftermath was widely felt: there were celebrations in Pristina, flags were burned in border areas, and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s visit to Belgrade was postponed.

Football as a continuation of historical conflict

At the center of the conflict is Kosovo, which is mostly populated by ethnic Albanians. Serbia has not recognized its independence since 2008. Serbian fans often display symbols of “Greater Serbia” and glorify historical figures such as Milos Obilic, while Albanians sing about KLA fighters and promote the idea of ​​a united Albanian nation in the region.

Provocations in the international arena

After a Euro 2024 match, Albanian player Mirlind Daku used a megaphone to shout “Fuck Serbia,” leading to a two-match suspension. Meanwhile, the Serbian Football Federation was fined after fans attempted to burn an Albanian flag during a match against Switzerland.

Managing tensions and hoping for cooperation

The first World Cup qualifier between the two countries ended without incident. In Tirana, the Albanian Football Federation did not sell tickets to fan groups, but instead selected the winners through a draw from 200,000 applications. Fans protested with banners: “Take our tickets, bring us the police, but you cannot kill the heart that beats for Albania.”

Euro 2027: An opportunity for rapprochement or clash?

UEFA has decided that the 2027 European Under-21 Championship will be held in Serbia and Albania, with the opening match in Novi Sad and the final in Tirana. Armand Duka, president of the Albanian Football Association and member of the UEFA Executive Committee, has been the main promoter of this cooperation.

While sports and diplomatic officials see the tournament as a step towards rapprochement and part of the “Open Balkans” initiative, nationalist groups are fiercely opposed. Albanian fans have painted the federation’s headquarters red and posted photos of Serbian crimes in Kosovo, with the message: “We do not cooperate with murderers.”

Whether Euro 2027 will actually take place in both countries will depend on the political relations between Serbia and Albania. The return match this Saturday is a clear indication of this prospect.