National cup

National Stadium
Spectators: 5149 (Terracing: 3862, Seating: 1184, VIP seats: 103) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Minir Noli got the match started through his kick off. A collision led to U21 Germany getting a freekick after 2 minutes play. Merlin Röhl hit a great ball. If Julian Behrami had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 6 minutes into the game, Shkëlzen Ibrahimi was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. U21 Albania's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave U21 Germany the free kick. The supporters of U21 Germany booed when U21 Albania was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 6 match minutes in a wonderful position. Shkëlzen Ibrahimi didn't get a good kick on the ball. U21 Albania's Laze Gjoka played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Michael Weniger in the 11th minute of play. Laze Gjoka was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Béla Strothmann showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-0 in the 16 minute of play. Béla Strothmann kicked well hit freekick during the 22nd minute of the match. U21 Germany's Bastian Abel played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Julian Behrami in the 23rd minute of play. In the 34th minute Edgar Abersell shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Laze Gjoka saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the last second Laze Gjoka throw himself and got hold of the ball when Edgar Abersell in the 35thth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. U21 Germany's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Edgar Abersell in the 36th minute. U21 Germany's Edgar Abersell was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Laze Gjoka in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. A collision led to U21 Albania getting a freekick after 38 minutes play. Alesandro Nesta hit a great ball. 39 minutes into the game, U21 Germany's Edgar Abersell nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Laze Gjoka made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. The audience thought a goal was coming when Valerian Hinz got free with Laze Gjoka in the 45th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort.

In the 59th minute Michael Weniger shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Laze Gjoka saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Béla Strothmann took the ball and in the 60 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Laze Gjoka. Laze Gjoka dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-0. Laze Gjoka made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Michael Weniger in the 66th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Julian Behrami in the 68th minute of play forced U21 Germany's goalkeeper Bastian Abel to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 75th minute, Carl Kröger ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Laze Gjoka was frozen by the shot and now it was 4-0. U21 Germany's Karsten Dettke was substituted for Roger Kohn. In the 80th match minute, U21 Germany was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Carl Kröger to maneuver through the defense. U21 Albania's Januz Oparaku was substituted for Minir Noli. In the 81st minute, Carl Kröger hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 83 minutes of play, U21 Albania's Januz Oparaku made it 4-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Bastian Abel was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 85th minute, Shkëlzen Ibrahimi hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Harald Aubele recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 86th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. A collision led to U21 Germany getting a freekick after 94 minutes play. Béla Strothmann hit a great ball. U21 Germany were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of U21 Albania for a fine match.