The qualification of the Albanian U17 national team in the second round of a UEFA tournament had turned into a nightmare for many years, as the red and black representative always said goodbye to this contest since first matches.

A series that has come to an end this season, with the team led by Ervin Bulku which can now quietly celebrate the participation in the Elite Round. 

Albania U17 finished third in their qualifying group, with the top two automatically advancing to the next round. But the fact that it took points from first-placed Wales in a goalless draw meant that the Little Reds and Blacks secured one of the places that the Championship formula guarantees based on the best third of all groups qualifying. 

Although three qualifying groups have not yet been completed, Albania now has the mathematical certainty that it will be among the qualified teams in the next round, which usually takes place in March and April. 

For the last time, the U17 representative qualified for the Elite Round in 2013, when the team led by Xhemal Mustedanagiç and which included names such as Keidi Bare, Elhan Kastrati, Ardit Toli or Ardit Deliu, secured passage to the next round of the tournament.