So much was enough and so much was achieved by the Azzurrini. In the last and decisive match of the group phase, Bollini's boys first go behind, keep calm and recover with a goal from Hasa, together with Vignato among the best on the pitch, the draw that guarantees passage to the semifinals and to be among the top four teams in Europe. A shrewd disposition by the Azzurri coach who put out an unusual formation (3-5-1-2), to contain the Polish talents, a formation that proved to be a winner for the result given that a draw was enough to conquer the semifinals of the European championship being played in Malta. Italy would have deserved a higher score for the chances created, certainly more than those put in by Poland, but in the end the passage to the semi-finals was conquered. On Thursday, Italy will have to face Spain, who tomorrow will face Norway for first place in Group B, and they will have to do so without Ndour who, with today's yellow card, added to the one he picked up against Portugal, will have to serve a one match ban.

Bollini was very pleased at the end of the match: "This team deserves praise for the kind of game they played. We're used to climbing the ladder since the first qualifying round and few would have bet on us reaching this semi-final and being among the top four teams in Europe. This is a team accustomed to changing form, they did it in the previous rounds as well, and certainly the approach of the game was not defensive, aiming for a draw but to seek victory also through this tactical ploy".

The match.Bollini, having to deal with the absence of a suspended Lipani, gave Faticanti his debut at right wing back, now captain, flanked on the left by Ndour. The defensive set-up was different from usual, with Mastrantonio in goal and the three in defence composed of Dellavalle, Chiarodia, Regonesi the midfield formed by Missori, Faticanti, Ndour and Kayode (the two wing backs to reinforce the defence in the defensive phase); Hasa behind the two forwards Vignato, who started (D'Andrea not in perfect physical condition) and Esposito. Marcin Brosz, selector of Poland opposes with the 5-3-2. The first chance was for Italy in minute 5 with Missori playing it hard into the centre of the box, on a slide Esposito hit the ball well but it was too close to the goalkeeper who rejected it. Another opportunity at the feet of Kayode, the cross is from Esposito, but the volley is high from an excellent position. A minute later, in the 8th minute, the advantage for Poland: an action on the left brings Strzalek, served by the ball by Bugaj, just outside the Azzurri area, his shot is powerful and bounces in front of Mastrantonio who, well placed on the first post, does not intercept. The Azzurrini suffer the Polish onslaught but do not disband until the 34th minute when a foray into the area by Vignato who skips past two opponents and frees Hasa who, with an empty goal, deposits the equaliser into the net. A minute later the Juventus striker returned the favour but Vignato's shot, in front of Zych, went high. A minute later it was Mastrantonio who saved the result by intervening on a close-range shot by Nsangou. Going to the break in a draw, on the return Brosz immediately made two substitutions, followed 5 minutes later by a third; Bollini kept the eleven of the first half. Poland was less aggressive, Italy controlled the game and extinguished every chance for their opponents until 68' when a deflected shot by Missori arrived at the feet of Esposito who, slipping, in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, shot it wide. The Azzurri coach gave the team some breathing space by substituting Faticanti and Vignato for Amatucci and Koleosho and then Turco for Esposito, the match flowed to the end (5' of added time) with the only negative note coming from the booking suffered by Ndour who will be forced to miss the next match. Italy are in the semifinals.

The other match in the group between Portugal and Malta ended with a narrow victory for the Portuguese (2-1), who confirmed their top position in the group with all 9 points.

In Group B of this European Championship, tomorrow at 21:00 CEST, the clash between Spain and Norway (respectively first with 6 points and second with 4) to determine who will be first in the standings and thus Italy's next opponent in the semi-finals this Thursday (place and time to be decided by Uefa tomorrow).

Italy 1-1 Poland

Goalscorers:  7’ Strzalek, 34’ Hasa

ITALY (3-4-1-2): Mastrantonio; Missori [C], Dellavalle L., Regonesi, Kayode; Faticanti (C) (77' Amatucci), Chiarodia, Ndour; Hasa, Esposito (82' Turco), Vignato (77' Koleosho). Subs. Palmisani (GK), Dellavalle A., D'Andrea, Bozzolan, Pisilli. Coach. Bollini.

POLAND (5-3-2): Zych (C); Bugaj (82' Kaczmarski), Smoliński, Matysik, Drapiński, Lewicki (55' Brzozowski); Kowalczyk (46' Urbański), Kozubal, Strzałek (71' Kowalski); Nsangou (46' Pieńko), Majchrzak.
Subs. Bobek (GK), Biniek, Przybyłko. Coach. Brosz.

Referee: Gergo Bogár (HUN). Assistants, Theodoros Georgiou (HUN) and Dojando Myftari (ALB); Fourth Official, Juxhin Xhaja (ALB).

Bookings: 20' Faticanti, 23' Majchrzak, 30' Missori, 52' Lewicki, 85' Ndour, 86' Turco.