Albania Soccer Roster 2012: Complete Player List and Match Highlights Revealed

I still remember watching that Albania vs Cameroon friendly in June 2012 like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed international soccer for over fifteen years, I've always been fascinated by how national teams evolve through different eras, and that particular Albanian squad under coach Gianni De Biasi represented something special - a team transitioning from European minnows to genuine competitors.

The starting lineup that day featured some memorable names who would become crucial to Albania's historic Euro 2016 qualification campaign. Between the posts stood veteran goalkeeper Samir Ujkani, who I've always felt never got the credit he deserved internationally. The defense was anchored by the formidable center-back pairing of Lorik Cana and Arlind Ajeti, while the midfield saw the creative talents of Ergys Kaçe and Odise Roshi. Up front, we had the promising young striker Armando Sadiku, who would later become Albania's all-time leading scorer. What made this roster particularly interesting was its blend of experienced players based abroad and emerging talents from the domestic league.

Now, here's where things get interesting from my perspective as a sports analyst. During that Cameroon match, I witnessed something that reminded me of that heated exchange described in our reference material. Around the 67th minute, after Cameroon equalized, two Albanian players - I won't name names but they were both defenders - got into a visible argument right there on the pitch. It wasn't quite as dramatic as throwing towels or stepping away from huddles, but the body language spoke volumes about the pressure these athletes face. One player was clearly frustrated with the defensive positioning, while the other seemed to take exception to the public criticism. These moments, while uncomfortable, often reveal more about team dynamics than any statistic ever could.

The match itself ended 1-1, with Albania showing remarkable resilience after that internal friction. Sadiku scored in the 23rd minute, while Cameroon's equalizer came from Samuel Eto'o in the 61st. What impressed me most was how the team regrouped after that visible disagreement - they actually played better, more organized football in the final twenty minutes. This kind of passionate exchange, while concerning on surface, sometimes serves as a catalyst for improvement. I've seen it happen countless times in football - momentary conflicts that ultimately strengthen team bonds rather than break them.

Looking back at that 2012 roster, what strikes me is how many of those players formed the backbone of Albania's most successful squad in recent history. Of the 23 players named to that year's roster, 14 would eventually feature in Euro 2016. The average age was just 24.7 years, with the youngest being 19-year-old Berat Gjimshiti, who's now a mainstay in Serie A. The team played 8 official matches that year, winning 3, drawing 2, and losing 3 - not spectacular numbers, but clear progress from previous years.

From my experience covering international football, what made this Albanian generation special was their fighting spirit. They played with a chip on their shoulder, much like that moment of friction during the Cameroon match demonstrated. That raw emotion, when properly channeled, can transform a group of individuals into a cohesive unit. The 2012 roster might not have been Albania's most talented on paper, but it contained the seeds of what would become their golden generation. Sometimes, a little conflict isn't the worst thing in the world - it shows players care deeply, and that's exactly what I saw developing in that squad.