Albania's footballers touched down in Tirana Monday less than 24 hours after qualifying for the 2016 European Championship finals. Thousands lined the streets to greet them.
Heroes welcome —
Albania's footballers touched down in Tirana Monday less than 24 hours after qualifying for the 2016 European Championship finals. Thousands lined the streets to greet them.
Blerta Kambo
Albania had never qualified for a major football tournament but the 3-0 win over Armenia Sunday sparked wild parties across the country.
Dream come true —
Albania had never qualified for a major football tournament but the 3-0 win over Armenia Sunday sparked wild parties across the country.
Blerta Kambo
The players were met at Tirana airport by the country's prime minister Edi Rama.
Back home —
The players were met at Tirana airport by the country's prime minister Edi Rama.
Blerta Kambo
Rama watched the action at home with his 17-month-old son as Albania bounced back from its defeat by Serbia to qualify.
Meeting the prime minister —
Rama watched the action at home with his 17-month-old son as Albania bounced back from its defeat by Serbia to qualify.
Blerta Kambo
The players made their way from the airport to the prime minister's residence with fans turning out in their thousands to greet their heroes.
Fan frenzy —
The players made their way from the airport to the prime minister's residence with fans turning out in their thousands to greet their heroes.
Blerta Kambo
Rama took the bus as well, taking time out from official business to celebrate with the squad.
New tour guide? —
Rama took the bus as well, taking time out from official business to celebrate with the squad.
Blerta Kambo
The team were honored with a ceremony at the prime minister's official residence.
Standing tall —
The team were honored with a ceremony at the prime minister's official residence.
Blerta Kambo
The players were invited inside for a celebratory reception given by the prime minister.
Time to celebrate —
The players were invited inside for a celebratory reception given by the prime minister.
Blerta Kambo
Lorik Cana, the team captain, gives a speech to celebrate qualification. He told CNN that he never thought the day would come.
Talking big —
Lorik Cana, the team captain, gives a speech to celebrate qualification. He told CNN that he never thought the day would come.
Blerta Kambo
Gianni De Biasi, the team's Italian coach, was awarded the prime minister's medal after leading the team to next year's finals. Each of the players also received a medal.
Medal men —
Gianni De Biasi, the team's Italian coach, was awarded the prime minister's medal after leading the team to next year's finals. Each of the players also received a medal.
Blerta Kambo
The players salute the fans gathered outside the prime minister's residence. Parties and celebrations took place throughout the entire country.
Saluting the crowds —
The players salute the fans gathered outside the prime minister's residence. Parties and celebrations took place throughout the entire country.
Blerta Kambo
Rama bids farewell to the players. He believes their success could bring about huge positivity within Albania.
The wave goodbye —
Rama bids farewell to the players. He believes their success could bring about huge positivity within Albania.
Blerta Kambo
Albanua secured qualification with a 3-0 win in Armenia. An own goal by Kamo Hovhannisyan gave Albania the lead before goals from Berat Djimsiti and substitute Armando Sadiku got the party started.
Party time —
Albanua secured qualification with a 3-0 win in Armenia. An own goal by Kamo Hovhannisyan gave Albania the lead before goals from Berat Djimsiti and substitute Armando Sadiku got the party started.
KAREN MINASYAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Albanian fans have watched their team play some of the best football in its history.
Fan backing —
Albanian fans have watched their team play some of the best football in its history.
GENT SHKULLAKU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Fans in Pristina, Kosovo, celebrated the victory. Kosovo is home to a number of ethnic Albanians as well as some of the Albanian players.
Celebrations —
Fans in Pristina, Kosovo, celebrated the victory. Kosovo is home to a number of ethnic Albanians as well as some of the Albanian players.
ARMEND NIMANI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Lorik Cana is one of Albania's most famous players. Cana, who captains the team, plays for French side Nantes, while his previous clubs include Paris Saint-Germain and Lazio.
Captain Cana —
Lorik Cana is one of Albania's most famous players. Cana, who captains the team, plays for French side Nantes, while his previous clubs include Paris Saint-Germain and Lazio.
MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Kosovo fans watch on a big screen in Pristina on October 8 the Euro 2016 qualifying football match between Albania and Serbia played at the Elbasan Arena in Elbasan, Albania.
Kosovo fans watch on a big screen in Pristina on October 8 the Euro 2016 qualifying football match between Albania and Serbia played at the Elbasan Arena in Elbasan, Albania.
ARMEND NIMANI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A majority-Albanian former Serbian province, Kosovo declared independence in 2008. In 1999, a 78-day air war was launched by NATO to stop the killing off ethnic Albanians in Kosovo by Serbian forces. Kosovo's independence is recognized by many countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France -- but not Serbia.
A majority-Albanian former Serbian province, Kosovo declared independence in 2008. In 1999, a 78-day air war was launched by NATO to stop the killing off ethnic Albanians in Kosovo by Serbian forces. Kosovo's independence is recognized by many countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France -- but not Serbia.
ARMEND NIMANI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images