Cana talks De Biasi, qualification and EURO hopes
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
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Captain Lorik Cana tells UEFA.com about the pride he feels when playing for Albania, their "great achievement" of qualifying for UEFA EURO 2016 and Gianni De Biasi's influence.
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On Albania qualifying for a first major final tournament ...
This had been a dream for everybody, not only for us players but for those who love football and even those who don't – because they know what our national team represents. I know how much this means for the country – uniting around the shirt, around the badge – and the message it sends to others, that we Albanians can give good things to Europe, to our continent, to the world as well. It's a great achievement.
Representing our country and making our people happy has been our main aim. Through many years of sacrifice, exhaustion, defeats, victories and ups and downs, we have never given up and have made Albanian dreams come true.
On Gianni De Biasi's influence as coach ...
He understood this job from the beginning and he is a great person who will leave a mark on the history of Albanian football.
He has adapted to the Albanian mentality, taking the best bits and getting rid of the worst. He has also taught us a lot. I have had an excellent relationship with him and I've tried to help him to the maximum. Most of our players speak Italian, and the lads translate as well as they can for the ones who don't.
On wearing the Albania shirt and captain's armband ...
Representing your country and your people gives you a feeling that is very difficult to describe. It's something that makes you proud – especially when you have tried so hard all these years to achieve something big – but at the same time it gives you a sense of responsibility. We will try to show people what we stand for on and off the field, and that starts with me, the captain. I have to be ready.
And playing in France, which is like my second home – where I spent part of my youth and where I grew up as a footballer with clubs like Paris, Marseille and now Nantes – should be something very special.
On facing the host nation in Group A ...
France are always one of the favourites, especially now they have a very strong team with a new generation, which is achieving great success after a good World Cup. With the support of their fans, it will be very difficult for us to play against them.
On Albania's targets and expectations at UEFA EURO 2016 ...
Every team will go there to win, and Albania's target is the same. Whether that's possible, and what our chances are, is something else. We want to play our game and demonstrate the values we've shown for the last few years, the things which helped us qualify.