Qemal Stafa (stadium)

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Qemal Stafa
nickname =


location = Tirana, Albania
broke ground = August 1939
opened = 1947
owner = Football Association of Albania
operator = Football Association of Albania
construction_cost =
architect =
tenants = SK Tirana, Dinamo Tirana, Partizani Tirana

seating_capacity = 27,549

Qemal Stafa is a multi-use stadium in Tirana, Albania named after Qemal Stafa, a World War II hero. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 30,549 (not all-seated, it has about 27,549 seats). It is also the largest stadium in Albania. It is currently used by the Albanian National Football Team and some Albanian football clubs. The stadium is considered a "curse" for foreign teams, partly due to the fact that Albania usually wins or rarely loses their home games. In a period stretching from September of 2001 to October 2004 Albania went undefeated at home and all these games were played at the Qemal Stafa Stadium. Illustrious teams like Russia, Sweden, and newly crowned European Champions Greece in 2004 were eclipsed by the Albanian National Football Team, whereas teams like Ireland, Switzerland and Bulgaria had to settle for hotly contested draws in the intimidating Arena. Albania's next game is against Sweden an opening and vital World Cup Qualifier for South Africa 2010. Sweden's coach Lars Lagerback was quoted as saying "I would rather face Portugal away on our first game than Albania, few teams who go there ever come out with a successful result." This quote by one of the most prestigious coaches in Europe further fuels the legend of the Qemal Stafa Stadium and that of Albania's inability to lose at home. Although Albania has never qualified for a major tournament and their away record is the exact opposite of their home one, they can take comfort at their fiery and passionate home of Qemal Stafa, and the future troubles they will create for Europe's finest at that certain potentially tricky venue, where many a football team has fallen to the plucky Albanians and the "curse" of Qemal Stafa.