Albania Euro 2016 team profile: The Eagles hope to leave mark on maiden major tournament

World ranking: 42

Best European Championship finish: N/A

How they qualified: Albania qualified for their first major international tournament after finishing second in Group I, behind winners Portugal. The Eagles were the lowest scoring nation to progress, netting just 10 times in eight qualifying games.

Fixtures: Group A - Albania (11 June), Romania (15 June), France (19 June)

Squad -

Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha, Alban Hoxha, Orges Shehi

Defenders: Lorik Cana, Arlind Ajeti, Mergim Mavraj, Elseid Hysaj, Ansi Agolli, Frederic Veseli, Naser Aliji

Midfielders: Ledjan Memushaj, Ergys Kae, Andi Lila, Migjen Basha, Odise Roshi, Burim Kukeli, Ermir Lenjani, Taulant Xhaka, Armir Abrashi

Forwards: Bekim Balaj, Sokol Cikalleshi, Armando Sadiku, Shkelzen Gashi

Expectations: As the lowest ranked team in the competition and in their maiden global tournament appearance, Albania are expected to be the whipping boys in France. Though not drawn into an difficult group which could yet see them progress to the last 16, using the process to experience a major event ahead of attempts to qualify for a first World Cup – where they have been drawn with Spain and Italy – will be valuable. Recent victories over Portugal and France suggests they may not go quietly.

Manager: Gianni De Biasi maybe Italian by birth, but after obtaining Albanian citizenship, try telling the locals he is anything but a fully-fledged member of the 'Shqiponjat'. Qualification for Euro 2016, coupled with the aforementioned scalps of two of Europe's heavyweights, saw De Biasi awarded the honour of nation order – an honour only bestowed on 15 individuals and never before on someone from a sporting background. He is a national hero who can do no wrong.

Prediction: Group stage – Many of the smaller nations will rely on defensive stability and Albania are likely to be no different. Repeating their win over France from June 2015 will be vital if they have any ambitions of reaching the knock-out phase. Those hopes are likely to end early.