Kosovo is waiting to become independent, so a dilemma, like a ball, is circulating: Will the Kosovar football players continue to play with the Albanian national team? The officials of the two countries often make patriotic or confused declarations, while the players just want to play.

That day, he was surrounded by a crowd of fans and journalists. He was the star of the local media and the most requested man on the Albanian national soccer team in Belarus. The Kosovar Lorik Cana, who plays for French football club Olympique de Marseille, was giving autographs and responding to questions. ‘What will you do if Kosovo becomes independent? Will you still play for the Albanian national team?’ an Albanian journalist asked him. A moment of silence followed. Finally: ‘I have found my team,’ replied the best-paid footballer of the red and blacks. The truth was out: Even if Kosovo’s final status remains unresolved, the age and the talent of its players cannot wait indefinitely.

TIRANA, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Bulgaria's hopes of reaching the Euro 2008 finals suffered a major setback when they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Albania in their Group G qualifier on Wednesday.

The result, after Albania missed a late penalty, left Bulgaria third with 19 points from 10 matches. Romania lead the group with 26 points from 10 matches, three points more than Netherlands.

Klodian Duro almost gave Albania a dream start in the third minute, hitting the bar with a thunderous 20-metre shot, while unmarked Hamdi Salihi blasted over from close range after 11 minutes.

Albania's Croatian coach Otto Baric was sent off in the 24th minute after arguing with Austrian referee Fritz Stuchlik.
The home side, however, continued to press forward and took a deserved lead in the 31st minute when Bulgaria's Radostin Kishishev headed into his own net as he tried to clear a Duro free kick.

Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov levelled with three minutes remaining when he tucked the ball home at the near post off a perfect low cross from the right by substitute Hristo Yovov.

The hosts were then given the chance to take all three points following a hand-ball in the area by Igor Tomasic, but Bulgaria keeper Georgi Petkov saved Ervin Skela's spot-kick.

Tonight at 20:45 CET the Albanian national team takes on the Bulgarian side at Qemal Stafa. Albania coming from a 0-0 draw against Slovenia in Celje last Saturday is hoping for points to gain advantage against Slovenia for the fourth spot in the group, granting them a better ranking ahead of the next qualifications.

The Bulgarian side comes to Tirana with a full-boosted squad with practically no big names missing. It’s set for a tough and decisive game for both teams in Tirana tonight.

BELGRADE, Oct 6 (Reuters) -  Serbia will lodge a protest with soccer's world governing body FIFA over attempts by the breakaway province of Kosovo to compete as a national team, according to a media report.

Zoran Lakovic, general secretary of Serbia's soccer federation, said Kosovo had not sought UEFA or FIFA approval to play in international matches.

"The Soccer Association of Serbia will lodge a strong protest to UEFA and FIFA early next week to ask them to protect our rights," he was quoted as saying by the country's state news agency Tanjug.

Kosovo, which has been a United Nations protectorate for the past eight years, reportedly played friendlies with Albania and Saudi Arabia recently and are looking to arrange a match with former World Cup winners Germany.