Underestimate Albania at your peril, because the Group B underdogs aren't arriving in Germany just to make up the numbers, even if they are in the fabled 'Group of Death'.

Only Georgia are lower in the FIFA Rankings than the Albanians, and they have been placed as the rank outsiders in the tournament down to who they are facing in the group stage. 

However, as they proved in qualifying, Albania are one tough nut to crack and have been built on a hugely solid defensive base - guided by a combination of some familiar Premier League faces in their coaching staff. 

Although the might of Spain, Italy and Croatia is a daunting task, it's one the Albanians will relish as they embark on only their second-ever major tournament appearance. 

The Eastern Europeans are more than capable of shutting out the group's big guns and have enough to conjure a killer blow - including Chelsea starlet Armando Broja - and cause an upset.  

Mail Sport takes you through Albania's team, including how they qualified for the tournament, their history in it, and who to look out for.

Albania may arrive in Germany as rank outsiders but they are capable of upsetting the odds 

Who is their manager? 

There's a familiar face to Premier League fans leading Albania's Euro 2024 charge in the guise of former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Sylvinho. 

The left-back, who later on his career would win multiple honours with Barcelona - including two Champions Leagues - was appointed in January 2023 with only unsuccessful spells in charge of Lyon and Corinthians under his belt, but has worked miracles with Albania.  

Aided somewhat randomly by Premier League winner Pablo Zabaleta and former Middlesbrough midfielder Doriva, the Brazilian's exploits have seen him awarded the Golden Decoration of the Eagle and Albania citizenship within a year of being in charge. 

His biggest accolade, however, could be navigating Albania's way out of their Euros group. 

Who is their star man? 

The ethos of Albania's style is their defensive solidity and the back four is marshalled by Atalanta's Berat Djimsiti. 

The no-nonsense centre-back was born in Switzerland and played for the Swiss U21 side before switching allegiance to Albania in 2015 and becoming the heartbeat of their defence. 

He'll come into the tournament buoyant after captaining Atalanta to their Europa League triumph over Bayer Leverkusen last month.

How did they qualify?

To the surprise of some, Albania didn't have to rely on any back path through the Nations League or a play-off to navigate their way to Germany, as they topped their qualifying group ahead of both Czechia and Poland. 

They comfortably beat both Czechia (3-0) and the Poles (2-0) on home soil, and kept four clean sheets out of four at home to top the group on goal difference. 

Fixtures (all UK time)

June 15 - Italy v Albania (Dortmund, 8pm)

June 19 - Croatia v Albania (Hamburg, 2pm)

June 24 - Albania v Spain (Dusseldorf, 8pm) 

Tournament history

There is only one major tournament appearance to talk of when it comes to Albania, their debut at a major finals at Euro 2016. 

They were drawn in Group A alongside hosts France, Switzerland and Romania. Managed by Italian, Gianni De Biasi, they narrowly lost their opening game to the Swiss before losing to France to see them exit the tournament. 

However, they did manage a first tournament win, as they defeated Romania in their final group game thanks to an Armando Sadiku goal.  

Odds to win the trophy 

500-1 (Sky Bet) 

Provisional squad (27 players)

Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Empoli), Elhan Castrati (Cittadella), Simon Simoni (Eintracht), Tomas Strakosha (Brentford)

Defenders: Nasser Alii (Voluntari), Arlind Aeti (CFR Kduz), Ivan Baliu (Rayo Vallecano), Berat Djimsiti (Atalanta), Elseid Gusay (Lazio), Ardian Ismayli (Empoli), Maras Kumbula (Sassuolo), Enea Mihai (Famalican), Mario Mitai (Lokomotiv)

Midfielders: Amir Abrachi (Grasshopper), Cristian Aslani (Inter), Nedim Bayrami (Sassuolo), Medon Berisha (Lecce), Klaus Gyasula (Darmstadt), Kyazim Ljaci (Sparta Prague), Ernest Muci (Besiktas), Ulber Ramadani (Lecce)

Forwards: Yasir Asani (Gwangju), Armando Broja (Chelsea), Mirlind Daku (Rubin), Arber Hoxha (Dinamo Zagreb), Rey Manay (Sivasspor), Taulant Seferi (Bani Yas)