De Biasi leaves out Albanian top scorer Salihi

Albania coach Gianni De Biasi has named a provisional 27-man squad ahead of UEFA EURO 2016.

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There was little doubting the biggest surprise, De Biasi opting to leave out Albanian Super League top scorer Hamdi Salihi despite his 28 top-flight goals for Skënderbeu this season.

"I have prepared this list after analysing the details of every player," said De Biasi. "It's all my opinion and my decision – nobody else's. I have sent a message to all the players to explain my decision, as I always do."

Albania step up their preparations with friendlies against Qatar (29 May) and Ukraine (3 June).

Provisional Albania squad for UEFA EURO 2016
Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Lazio), Alban Hoxha (Partizani), Orges Shehi (Skënderbeu).

Defenders: Lorik Cana (Nantes), Arlind Ajeti (Frosinone), Berat Gjimshiti (Atalanta), Mërgim Mavraj (Köln), Amir Rrahmani (Split), Elseid Hysaj (Napoli), Ansi Agolli (Qarabağ), Frederic Veseli (Lugano), Naser Aliji (Basel).

Midfielders: Ledjan Memushaj (Pescara), Ergys Kaçe (PAOK), Andi Lila (Giannina), Migjen Basha (Como), Odise Roshi (Rijeka), Burim Kukeli (Zürich), Ermir Lenjani (Nantes), Herolind Shala (Slovan Liberec), Taulant Xhaka (Basel), Armir Abrashi (Freiburg).

Forwards: 
Bekim Balaj (Rijeka), Sokol Çikalleshi (Medipol Baksasehir), Armando Sadiku (Vaduz), Milot Rashica (Vitesse), Shkëlzen Gashi (Colorado Rapids).

Czech Republic's Group D fixtures
11/06: Albania v Switzerland (Lens)
15/06: France v Albania (Marseille)
19/06: Romania v Albania (Lyon)