TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania coach Sylvinho, a Brazilian, and his assistants were sworn in as Albanian citizens Tuesday ahead of the European Championship.
Albania had announced in December that Sylvinho was granted citizenship in a show of appreciation for having led the tiny Western Balkan country to the Euros. It’s just the second time Albania has qualified.
Sylvinho’s close Argentinian assistant Pablo Zabaleta and two Italians — Luca Laurenti and Gianluca Stesina — were sworn in at a ceremony in the city of Lushnja, 80 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of the capital Tirana, the Interior Ministry said. It was not clear why they chose Lushnja, a city of about 80,000 people.
Albania is in Group B alongside Italy, Croatia and Spain when the tournament kicks off next month in Germany.
“We have done a good job together but an important challenge is ahead of us,” the 50-year-old Sylvinho said.
US defender John Brooks to leave German club Hoffenheim
China Releases National Standards for Digital Textbooks in Primary, Middle Schools
About 50,000 Sit for Delayed College Entrance Exam in Shanghai
China to Host Global Conference on Sci
Bella Thorne puts on a leggy display in a dark red off
China Beats Turkey in Women's Volleyball Nations League
Villagers Perform Water Drum Dance in Jianhe County, SW China
Celebratory Atmosphere Ahead of 25th Anniv. of Hong Kong's Return to Motherland
Reeves hits grand slam, South Carolina eliminates Alabama 10
China Vows to Raise Average Life Expectancy