Melbourne Victory striker Besart Berisha has missed out on selection for Albania for Euro 2016, despite holding slim hope that he would get the call-up following another standout season.
The 30-year-old has made 17 appearances for the national team with his last cap dating back to 2009, and there was no fairytale return to Albanian colours for the Victory fan favourite as coach Gianni De Biasi named his 27-man provisional squad.
The only major surprise was the omission of Albanian Super League top scorer Hamdi Salihi, despite his 28 top-flight goals for Skënderbeu this season.
“I have prepared this list after analysing the details of every player,” said De Biasi.
“It’s all my opinion and my decision – nobody else’s. I have sent a message to all the players to explain my decision, as I always do.”
Provisional Albania squad for UEFA EURO 2016
Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Lazio), Alban Hoxha (Partizani), Orges Shehi (Skënderbeu).
Defenders: Lorik Cana (Nantes), Arlind Ajeti (Frosinone), Berat Gjimshiti (Atalanta), Mërgim Mavraj (Köln), Amir Rrahmani (Split), Elseid Hysaj (Napoli), Ansi Agolli (Qarabağ), Frederic Veseli (Lugano), Naser Aliji (Basel).
Midfielders: Ledjan Memushaj (Pescara), Ergys Kaçe (PAOK), Andi Lila (Giannina), Migjen Basha (Como), Odise Roshi (Rijeka), Burim Kukeli (Zürich), Ermir Lenjani (Nantes), Herolind Shala (Slovan Liberec), Taulant Xhaka (Basel), Armir Abrashi (Freiburg).
Forwards:
Bekim Balaj (Rijeka), Sokol Çikalleshi (Medipol Baksasehir), Armando Sadiku (Vaduz), Milot Rashica (Vitesse), Shkëlzen Gashi (Colorado Rapids).
Czech Republic’s Group D fixtures
11/06: Albania v Switzerland (Lens)
15/06: France v Albania (Marseille)
19/06: Romania v Albania (Lyon)
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