Italy kick off their European Championship title defence against Albania on Saturday as a new-look team tries to rebuild the reputation of one of the world's most important football nations.

Former Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena died on Saturday after suffering a heart attack during an Albanian league match between KF Egnatia and FK Partizani, according to a statement by the Albanian football federation.

The sporting world has slowly come around, including its football scene, where rowdy crowds and occasional scuffles at men's games are not uncommon

Thousands of Albanians celebrate wildly in the streets of the capital Tirana after the national football team secures its first ever victory in a major international finals.

A 90th-minute header by substitute striker Antoine Griezmann and a stoppage-time special by Dimitri Payet secured France a heartstopping 2-0 win over Albania on Wednesday that sent the hosts through as the first team into the last 16 of Euro 2016.