Players in the Albanian national football team have come home to a heroes' welcome after qualifying for the 2016 European Championships — the first major tournament the country has ever reached.
Hundreds of jubilant fans gathered at Tirana's Mother Teresa Airport Monday as players returned a day after beating Armenia 3-0 for second place in Group I behind Portugal.
Prime Minister Edi Rama gave players a red carpet welcome at his office after traveling to the airport and hugging players as they came off the plane. President Bujar Nishani awarded the team the country's highest civilian award, the Honor of National Order.
Much of the capital Tirana remained draped in the national colors, red and black, after a night of street celebrations.