Kosovo U20 Edges Out Albania in Tight Division B Opener

Skopje, North Macedonia – July 18, 2026 – In a fiercely contested opening match of the FIBA Europe U20 Championship Division B, Kosovo U20 held off a late surge from Albania U20 to claim a 76-72 victory. The game, played on July 18, 2026, at the Sport Hall Jane Sandanski, was a showcase of regional rivalry and young talent, with both sides trading leads throughout the second half.

Match Overview

Albania started brightly, using their size advantage inside to build an early 10-point lead midway through the first quarter. However, Kosovo's guards found their rhythm from beyond the arc in the second period, knotting the score at 38-38 by halftime. The third quarter saw Kosovo push ahead by as many as nine points, but Albania responded with a 14-3 run early in the fourth to tie the game at 68-68 with under four minutes to play.

From there, Kosovo's composure under pressure told. A three-pointer from guard Luan Gashi with 2:11 remaining gave his side the lead for good, and clutch free-throw shooting in the final minute sealed the 76-72 win. Albania's final possession ended in a contested miss as time expired.

Key Performers

• Kosovo U20: Forward Driton Krasniqi led all scorers with 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Gashi added 18 points, including 4-of-7 from three-point range.
• Albania U20: Center Klevis Lila posted a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while point guard Endrit Hoxha chipped in 15 points and 6 assists.

Turning Point

Trailing 68-66 with 2:30 left, Albania's defense forced a short-clock violation, but a costly turnover on the ensuing inbound pass gave Kosovo the chance to extend their lead. Gashi made them pay, drilling a step-back triple that swung momentum permanently in his team's favour.

Impact on the Tournament

Both teams are competing in Division B, aiming for promotion to Division A. This narrow loss puts Albania at an early disadvantage, while Kosovo's gritty victory positions them well in the group standings. The two sides will face other opponents in the coming days, with matches against higher-seeded teams likely to decide who advances to the knockout stages.

The win also carries extra significance for Kosovo, who have been steadily developing their youth programme. Head coach Valon Beqiri praised his team's maturity: "To come back after Albania's run and make winning plays down the stretch shows real character. We are building something special here."