foxsports
Albania has returned home to a heroes' welcome from a European Championship qualifier in Serbia that was abandoned after an Albanian nationalist banner was flown over the stadium, sparking violence between players and fans.
Up to 3,000 flag-waving supporters gathered outside Tirana's airport early Wednesday.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is abroad, praised players on his Twitter page for ''the pride and joy they gave us.''
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The referee halted the scoreless Group I match in the 41st minute when a Serbian player grabbed the banner - that carried a map of Albania enlarged to include chunks of all its neighbors - and Albanian players tried to protect it.
Rama is due to visit Belgrade next week, the first by an Albanian prime minister in 68 years.
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