Albania's national team have been handed a heroes' welcome for their return home following the shocking violence that forced their Euro 2016 qualifier against Serbia to be abandoned.

Journalist Nick Ames provides his first-hand account of the chaotic scenes which led to the abandonment of the Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania.

Serbia's FA has reportedly called on UEFA to reward them with a 3-0 victory after their politically-charged Euro 2016 qualifier against Albania in Belgrade was abandoned.

Serbia and Albania can expect severe punishments after UEFA launched an investigation into a night of violence in Belgrade, described as ‘inexcusable’ by Michel Platini.

Albania claim their players were assaulted by fans, stewards and police in Belgrade at the now-infamous Euro 2016 qualifier against Serbia which was abandoned after the violent scenes.

Albanian internationals Lorik Cana, Etrit Berisha and Thomas Strakosha share the same Lazio dressing room in harmony with Serbia's Filip Djordevic and Dusan Basta.

Serbia have been awarded a 3-0 victory over Albania following their abandoned qualifier but they have also been deducted three points and ordered to play two games behind closed doors.

Antoine Griezmann came off the bench to salvage a draw for Euro 2016 hosts France with a late equaliser in Friday's friendly against Albania in Rennes.

Stefano Okaka scored a late goal on his debut to give Italy a 1-0 win over Albania in a friendly on Tuesday as they remained unbeaten in six games since the World Cup.

France national team boss Didier Deschamps has warned his players they are in for a tough ride ahead of their post-season international friendlies against Belgium and Albania.

France players including Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris were put through their paces at a training camp in Clairefontaine ahead of their international friendly with Albania on Saturday.

An impressive display from minnows Albania earned their first ever victory against France. The Euro 2016 hosts fell to the shock defeat courtesy of a sublime free-kick from youngster Ergys Kace.

A court ruling for appeals filed by the Serbian and Albanian football federation against UEFA sanctions after their European Championship qualifier was abandoned is expected by July 10.

Albania have been awarded a victory over Serbia by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after a Euro 2016 qualifier was abandoned when a drone with a political banner flew into the stadium.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team-mates were all smiles on Thursday as they took to the training ground ahead of Friday's clash with France and Monday's game against Albania.

Denmark's Christian Eriksen remains sidelined with a knee injury but that did not prevent him from watching his national side draw 0-0 at home to Albania in their crunch Group I clash.

The Portugal squad flew to Albania on Saturday ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifier and Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma made sure they got the best seats... in the cockpit.

A stoppage time header by defender Miguel Veloso gave Portugal a 1-0 win in Albania and allowed them to extend their lead on top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group I on Monday.

A bus carrying the Serbia squad was hit by stones within hours of the team arriving in Albania on Wednesday for a Euro 2016 qualifier, a year after their previous encounter was abandoned in chaos.

Chelsea duo Branislav Ivanovic and Nemanja Matic were forced off with injuries before Serbia downed bitter rivals Albania 2-0 to give themselves some pride in Euro 2016 qualifying.

Germany, Poland, Romania and Albania successfully reached Euro 2016 as the final round of qualifying matches continued on Sunday. Constantin Budescu struck twice for Romania.

JOE BERNSTEIN: There is no more unlikely qualifier for Euro 2016 than Albania whose footballers have shown there is more to the former Iron Curtain secret state than a fixation for Norman Wisdom.

The two sides have been paired together in Group A, and while Albania could field six Swiss-born players, Switzerland have more than half-a-dozen potential starters eligible for their opponents.

Albania leveled quickly after conceding an early goal, but gave away another goal at the start of the new half, and Ukraine, also going to Euro 2016, sealed the win with two minutes to go.

JACK GAUGHAN: They are the minnows of Euro 2016. You would be hard pressed to find a supporter outside of the area au fait with their history. Albania do not conjure memories of football.

The hosts' group is relatively straightforward and should not pose too many problems to Didier Deschamps. Switzerland are a talented side but Albania and Romania are certainly minnows.

JOE BERNSTEIN: The parents of Euro 2016 footballers Granit and Taulant Xhaka will find themselves having to support both teams as Albania meet Switzerland in Lens.

Granit and Taulant Xhaka line up on opposing sides as Euro 2016's Group A action continues in Lens. Follow all the action from Stade Bollaert-Delelis with MATT MALTBY.

Neither side are particularly fancied as winners ahead of their first game, but with talent throughout the Switzerland side, it would be foolish to write them off before they have even kicked a ball.

France will be looking to dampen down the voices of criticism that piped up after their less than convincing opening game win over Romania last week as they face Albania in Marseilles.

France made it two Euro 2016 wins from two against Albania in Marseille on Wednesday night in Group A after late strikes from Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet.

Host nation France made it two wins from two with two late goals to down Euro 2016 minnows Albania, Here, Sportsmail rates the performances inside the Stade Velodrome.

IAN LADYMAN IN MARSEILLE: France made it two Euro wins from two against Albania at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday night, with late goals from Antoine Griezmann & Dimitri Payet.

Antoine Griezmann has claimed that his late goal for France against Albania enacted some 'revenge' for his disappointing showing in the Euro 2016 opener against Romania.

Ahead of kick-off, Sportsmail 's MARTIN KEOWN offers his assessment of three of the big games from this weekend's Euro 2016 fixtures including the hosts' final group game.

Albania are hoping the return of inspirational captain Lorik Cana will drive the debutants on to a first victory and help them sneak into the last 16.

Romania head into this clash knowing that three points could be enough to take them into the next round but only if Switzerland lose to France.

CRAIG HATHERALL AT STADE DES LUMINIERES: An Armando Sadiku header gave Albania three points, and a fighting chance of making the Last 16 in France.

European football's governing body has opened disciplinary proceedings against Albania and Romania after their fans caused trouble in their Group A game at Euro 2016 on Sunday.

Albania were rewarded with an open-top bus parade despite being knocked out of their first Euros after finishing third in Group A. England will surely have to go further before getting the same

Albanian police have told a group of home fans to stay away from the World Cup qualifier against Italy. Illyria Elite group was banned from the stadium in northern Albania after 'problems' at Albania's game in Italy in March.

Antonio Candreva's second-half strike was enough for Italy to end their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory in Albania.

STEPHEN MCGOWAN AT HAMPDEN PARK: With seven goals in eight games already this season, Steven Naismith is sleeping soundly these nights.

Sessegnon only made his debut for Spurs in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Everton before making his bow in the Champions League on Wednesday following a £25m summer move from Fulham.

Aiden McGeady has been told to stay away from Sunderland's first team by manager Phil Parkinson because of his negative influence on the squad. He has been told to find a new club ahead of January.

Honorary Consul General of India, Tirana
Rr. Artan Lenja No.10/74, Tirana, Albania.
(R): Rr. Frosina Plaku, No.9, Tirana.
[*Under jurisdiction of Embassy of India, Bucharest].

Telephone: 00-355-4-2245060 (O) / 2233248 (R)
Telefax: 00-355-4-2245060
E-Mail:petraqgramo@megapharm.net
Website:www.eoibucharest.gov.in/

Honorary Consul General*
Mr. Petraq Gramo

Every developed country built the infrastructure of its cities only during the last 100 years, often in response to crises of plagues or fires. If we learn their lessons, then we could build our infrastructure with the participation of the people, says Ramesh Ramanathan.

Indian cities have neither the funds required to realise their envisaged progress, nor credible systems to ensure effective utilisation of what they have. Srikanth Viswanathan emphasises the need for accountability and more robust financial management by municipal corporations.

The concrete road is a symbol of some development in this northern Bihar town, but it sits oddly with its surrounding landscape. The lack of jobs, the bane of many small towns, has affected Madhubani too, writes Kalpana Sharma.