Gjirokastër, police retaliate against protesting students pages 2–3 Tirana, Azem Hajdari leads the protesters Photo: G. SHKULLAKU

. Today Albania faces Northern Ireland in Belfast. Officially, both teams will be aiming for a qualifying place in a group that has become a classic for us Albanians, because of the recurring presence of the Germans and Northern Irish. So we are playing on familiar ground, hoping to achieve something more than on previous occasions. The match against Northern Ireland is perhaps the most difficult psychological moment our national team has had to get through since the start of the France ’98 qualifiers. Put in doubt until the last minute after Albania was expelled from FIFA, made more difficult by absences from the lineup because players who play abroad did not arrive, and by the succession of several coaches in a short period of time, this match could mark, depending on the result, either the fatal blow or the turning point for a team under pressure to uphold the national colors at a moment that is not particularly favorable for sport in Albania. The first obstacle for the Albanian players has been mad cows. Frightened by the thought that they are on an island and on British soil, they have refused beef in their daily menu, thus demonstrating that footballers follow Euronews too. The second obstacle, much more tangible than the first, is expected to be the opposing team. The accidental draw with Armenia after a good performance is the last “high-pressure” test we have seen from our team. This time too, as has often happened in recent years, we Albanians are forgiving and inclined not to remember when it comes to the national team. So, we have forgotten everything: that we are last, that we have regularly been beaten at home and away, and that we have very little chance of qualifying for the World Cup. Today we are once again behind the national team and offer it our customary good wishes. For a victory in Belfast. Perhaps the mad cows are not the danger, but our chance?

Tirana, Azem Hajdari leads the protesters

Pollo: Friendship with the USA matters page 5 Students — and four days of anxiety page 9 Calabria, weapons “Made in Albania”

page 2 page 11 page 23 Calabria, weapons “Made in Albania” page 2 Health contributions scandal page 11 Today in Belfast, Albania faces the football challenge page 23