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Thomas Strakosha has spoken ahead of Albania's match with Poland, which will decide tomorrow which team advances to the World Cup play-off final. This match will kick off at 20:45.
In the interview with "FIFA", Strakosha said that no one has thought of playing for another national team. We recall that he was born in Athens, while he wore only the red and black jersey since he was a child.
This semi-final against Poland could be the first step towards fulfilling your dream. What is going through your mind right now?
To be honest, I was in a good mood even before this match started. It's not just a semi-final for us, it's a final. It's a big match, as we have the opportunity to make history for Albania and the nation as a whole. To play for our country in a World Cup, especially in America where so many Albanians live, would be a dream not only for me, but for everyone involved.
Between Poland, Sweden and Ukraine, you are the only team in your path that has never participated in a World Cup before. Will going in as an underdog make it easier mentally for you?
To be honest, yes, we are the underdogs and history proves that. But we believe we have what it takes. It is no coincidence that we have reached this point. We deserve to be here. We are fully aware that Poland, by comparison, is ranked higher than us, but it promises to be a competitive match. As far as we are concerned, it is a final, just as it is for them.
Poland boasts a quality striker in Robert Lewandowski and a talented squad. How do you plan to hinder them?
They are one of the most organised teams I have faced in recent years. They have top quality players. Lewandowski is the first name that comes to mind, and Piotr Zielinski too, who I really like. In my opinion, they are one of the best national teams in the second tier, not far from the top teams like France, Italy and Spain. We are lucky to have a striker with great potential like Armando Broja. If he manages to get regular playing time, around 30-40 games a season, he can make a leap to the next level. We really need players of his calibre, who can turn a game in our favour.
Your campaign at EURO 2024 showed that you can stand up to anyone. What have you learned from that experience?
I was very happy to have the opportunity to play against such strong teams. I wanted to see where we were. We thought we would be out of our strength, but in the end, we gave our best. We could have easily snatched a victory against Croatia. It was a great experience, with the most exciting atmospheres I have ever experienced in my career.
Silvinjo has been at the helm of the team since 2023. How would you summarize his main strengths and in what areas have you improved as a team?
He has taught us to believe in ourselves more, while keeping our feet on the ground. We know we could have done better in some games, but he has given us a lot of confidence and given us a real boost ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. We have made great strides since he has been in charge. He has brought real stability to the team. You don't spend a lot of time together with the national team during the year, so it is essential to have a strong foundation. These days, we are a more cohesive unit and we know what we are capable of.
Like many of your teammates, you were born abroad. Can you explain what it means to represent your country?
It is a great source of pride. We grew up respecting and loving our roots and heritage. Even if you were born or raised abroad, you still feel a strong connection. It is a true honor to play for Albania. I never had any doubts, even though I could have played for Greece. My parents always taught me to respect everyone, but also to have a deep love for my country. I am grateful to Albania for the experiences it has given me and it has never crossed my mind to play for anyone else.
Can you imagine the scenes in Tirana and across Albania if you make it to the 2026 World Cup?
I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like. The European Championship was great, but a World Cup, especially in North America, would be something else. It would be a celebration for Albanians all over the world. I don't even want to think about it yet, not even the group stage. For now, we have to focus on our match against Poland.
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