Presidents hail Albania's big moment

Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president

 Welcome to TIrana for the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League final. The first final is always an exceptional occasion, and the National Arena in the Albanian capital is the privileged setting for the climax to a thrilling 2021/22 season.

Teams with great histories and prestige have made it to this stage, and are hoping to crown their successful journey through a hard-fought campaign with European silverware.

The inaugural season maintained its promise - many fans and clubs celebrated their first UEFA experience with spectacular wins, highlighting the importance of football across the continent. In addition, the diversity of playing styles and football philosophies added a much-needed extra flavour that the European club competition scene was missing.

I wish to thank Albania and its football association for their efforts in staging this eagerly awaited event. Let’s look forward to an exciting final – and may the best team win!

Armand Duka, FShF president

Football fans, we are honoured to welcome you to Albania for this important final, an occasion that will take place for the first time in our country. That today we open a major chapter in the history of football is the result of years of hard work, earning the right to stage the UEFA Europa Conference League final in this stadium.

We hope that you have a great time in our capital; I am convinced that you will enjoy many wonderful hours in a country that has hospitality embedded deep in its tradition. We have invested all our energy in organising every detail surrounding the final, from the very first moment you set foot in Albania until the time you leave. We hope that the memories you take with you will not only include the emotions of a great match, but also the pleasure of your stay in the Land of the Eagles.

Speaking for every Albanian, I want to thank the Executive Committee of UEFA, and President Aleksander Čeferin, for entrusting us with such an important event. I also want to thank every link of the Albanian state administration, who aided the efforts of the FShF in this important task.  

The final has put forward two great teams, both containing extraordinary players. We all expect a match full of emotions, showing the best elements that European football has to offer. Let’s all enjoy this show together – and I hope that each of you takes back the best of memories from our country. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you again in Albania!