A real spectacle. In front of 8000 fans at the Stadio Nicola Ceravolo in Catanzaro, the U20s recorded their second consecutive win to move top of the Elite League. After their draw in Germany and win over the Czech Republic, the Azzurrini managed to beat a Poland side with whom they previously shared top spot after two matches. On a wonderful afternoon where two stands were filled with youngsters and Italy flags, everyone was delighted to see Verona’s Filippo Terracciano bag the winner in the 41st minute.

“It was fantastic to play in such a beautiful setting,” said Head Coach Alberto Bollini. “I always remind the lads that we not only have the honour of wearing the Italy jersey but the responsibility to represent it with the right attitude. Tonight, there was a great connection between the crowd and the team, and I’d like to congratulate the boys on their performance and a deserved win that we dedicated to all those who came to support us.”

Italy had the first chance of the match through D’Andrea, who skipped past Blachewicz before firing narrowly wide with his right foot. Montevago (23’) also threatened, as did Hasa with a header that was kept out by Borowski. Pagano also almost nodded home, but it was Terracciano who opened the scoring with a headed effort from an Amatucci corner. After the restart, Italy were grateful to Palmisani, who thwarted both Wojtowicz and Misiak. Poland threw men forward in search of an equaliser but the Azzurrini stood firm, much to the delight of the spectators in the stadium.

ITALY 1-0 POLAND
GOALSCORER: 41' Terracciano

ITALY (4-3-3): Palmisani; Missori, Dellavalle, Fontanarosa (92’ Bonfanti), Angori; Terracciano (79’ Pisilli), Amatucci (92’ Faticanti), Pagano (63’ Turco); D'Andrea (63’ Ignacchiti), Montevago (79’ Regonesi), Hasa (92’ Accornero). Substitutes: Bagnolini, Corazza, Regonesi, Comuzzo, Raimondo. Head Coach: Bollini

POLAND (3-4-1-2): Kikolski; Misiak (88’ Sochan), Matyjewicz, Polak; Borowski (46’ Wojtowicz), Neugebauer (73’ Koton), Kozubal (88’ Baranowicz) Blachewicz (46’ Biedrzycki); Duda (46’ Machowski); Majchrzak (73’ Kirejczyk), Fornalczyk (90’ Goncalves). Substitutes: Zych. Head Coach: Stepinski

REFEREE: Santoro from Messina
ASSISTANTS: Vigile from Cosenza and Longo from Paola
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Cosso from Reggio Calabria

NOTE:  Pagano (I), D'Andrea (I), Neugebauer (P), Fornalczyk (P) booked

ELITE LEAGUE 2023-24
Thursday 12 October
Romania 2-0 England
Norway 2-1 Czech Republic
Friday 13 October
Portugal 1-2 Germany
Italy 1-0 Poland

Standings (number of games played in brackets): Italy (3) 7, Romania (3) 6; Germany (3) 5, Poland (3) 4, Norway (1) and Portugal (3) 3, England (1) and Czech Republic (3) 0

Monday 16 October
18:00 CEST – Norway vs. Romania
Tuesday 17 October
18:00 CEST – Germany vs. Czech Republic
19:00 CEST – England vs. Portugal

ITALY’S CALENDAR
Thursday 16 November: England vs. Italy
Tuesday 21 November: Italy vs. Portugal
Thursday 21 March 2024: Romania vs. Italy
Monday 25 March 2024: Italy vs. Norway