In Dortmund the anticipation for tonight’s match has been electric since yesterday because some groups of Albanian fans had already arrived in the city and in the afternoon they hoped to meet coach Sylvinho or captain Djimsiti outside Signal Iduna Park. For Albania it is a historic moment: the second participation in a European Championship, after that of 2016, came thanks to first place in a non-trivial qualifying group like the one in which Poland and the Czech Republic were present. Here’s why the hunt for a ticket to watch the debut against the Azzurri live was frantic. The Albanian federation has received around 12,000 tickets, 20% of the capacity of the stadium set by UEFA (62,000 seats, compared to over 80,000 in the Bundesliga), but the doubt is related to how many Eagles fans will have managed to grab the 60% of the tickets went on public sale (40% on official channels, through various phases) or distributed by UEFA to sponsors and the “football family”. In Germany, tickets are not nominal and may have been purchased by a person to be given to a friend, even of another nationality. This is why it is difficult to make an estimate before the start of the match on how many supporters will be dressed in red and blue. Prime Minister Edi Rama, a great Eagles fan, will certainly be there.
YELLOW-BLUE WALL
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The south stand, which is the Borussia Dortmund fans’ corner, will be light blue. Or at least the segment between the central stand and the famous Yellow Wall will be blue. The Albanian fans will be on the opposite side. There are many Italians in Germany and they too have worked hard to purchase the precious vouchers: they have already demonstrated their love for the national team in 2006 and are ready to do the same again 18 years later. The Albanians, however, dream of the feat and have moved from all the European nations. As already happened in 2016 in France when the red shirts popped up almost everywhere in the three group matches. The same could happen tonight, so much so that the Albanian Football Federation is convinced that (at least) half of the stadium will be occupied by supporters of Djimsiti and his teammates.
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MAROTTA AND DEL PIERO, THEN TOTTI
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FIGC president Gravina returned to Iserlohn yesterday, accompanied by general secretary Brunelli. Both were veterans of the Federal Council. At Casa Azzurri we also saw the president and CEO of Inter, Beppe Marotta who will naturally be at the stadium tonight like Alessandro Del Piero. Before the match, Alex will meet Gigi Buffon on the lawn, a former teammate at Juventus and in the national team (in 2006 they were both in Germany, world champions with the blue shirt). And it’s easy to imagine that the unforgettable Juventus number 10 will fondly think back to the goal he scored against Germany in this stadium, during extra time of the semi-final. Also cheering for the Azzurri were ministers Abodi and Lollobrigida who attended the event at Casa Azzurri this morning to present “Dop and Igp. Quality champions!” the sport which sees some Azzurri as protagonists (Donnarumma, Darmian, Pellegrini, Orsolini and Zaccagni) and coach Spalletti and which aims to promote PDO and PGI branded products. “The national team is not just a team – said Abodi -, but it is an emblem, a catalyst of attention. For this reason it is right to use the blue shirt as a communication tool”. Then he added to Sky: “Tonight we only have one result available: to win. I hope that Italy will be the surprise of Euro 2024.” For one of the next matches Francesco Totti will also be present in the stands to cheer for Italy.
