No place for Salihi in Albania's preliminary Euro 2016 squad

Posted May 21, 2016 7:00 am

The Associated Press

TIRANA, Albania (AP) - Giovanni de Biasi has announced the preliminary 27-man Albania squad that will start final preparations for the European Championship, with no place for Skenderbeu striker Hamdi Salihi.

The Italian, who has coached Albania since the end of 2011, said Saturday he had independently selected the players, adding he will "pay the consequences or get the fruit."

Salihi is top scorer in the Albanian Super League this season with 28 goals.

De Biasi said his players will train in Austria and Italy for Euro 2016 before going to France. The squad will be trimmed to 23 by May 31.

"I have sent a letter to the players explaining they are selected to be part of a team, based on their physical and psychological conditions and capacities to cope with such an activity," De Biasi said.

Albania, a surprise qualifier, is in Group A with France, Romania and Switzerland.

Albania has friendlies against Qatar on May 29 and Ukraine on 3 June.

The tournament runs from June 10-July 10.

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Albania:

Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Lazio), Alban Hoxha (Partizani), Orges Shehi (Skenderbeu)

Defenders: Arlind Ajeti (Frosinone), Naser Aliji (Basel), Berat Gjimshiti (Atalanta), Mergim Mavraj (Koeln), Amir Rrahmani (Split), Lorik Cana (Nantes), Elseid Hysaj (Napoli), Ansi Agolli (Karabag), Frederik Veseli (Lugano)

Midfielders: Ledian Memushaj (Pescara), Ergys Kace (Paok), Andi Lila (Giannina), Migjen Basha (Como), Odise Roshi (Rijeka), Burim Kukeli (Zurich), Ermir Lenjani (Nantes), Herolind Shala (Slovan Liberec), Taulant Xhaka (Basel), Amir Abrashi (Freiburg)

Forwards: Bekim Balaj (Rijeka), Sokol Cikalleshi (Medipol Basaksehir), Armando Sadiku (Vaduz), Milot Rashica (Vitesse), Shkelzen Gashi (Colorado Rapids).

Albaniaâs Italian soccer coach Giovanni de Biasi speaks at a news conference in Tirana, Albania, Saturday, May 21, 2016, announcing the 27-man squad that will provide the pool of players for his selection of the 23-man squad needed for the Euro 2016 finals being played in France next month. Albania, a surprise qualifier, plays in Group A with host France, as well as Switzerland and Romania at the tournament. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press

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