The satisfaction of winning a second silver medal in four years, disappointment at suffering an unjust defeat. There are mixed feelings for Daniele Franceschini, who, like four years ago, led the Under-18 National Team to the final of the Mediterranean Games but not to Italy’s fifth gold medal in the event. This was last achieved 25 years ago, when, the Under-23 squad featuring Gigi Buffon and Francesco Totti were crowned champions after beating Turkey 5-1 in Bari in front of a 20,000-strong crowd.

Yesterday evening, 30,000 Algerian fans were present at the Complexe Olympique in Orano. They watched Italy dominate throughout but concede midway through the second half (Pirringuel with the goal) and ultimately lose. The Azzurrini tried absolutely everything but encountered an opposition goalkeeper (Zadi) in fantastic form and were also denied by the woodwork with both D’Andrea and Accornero hitting the bar. Not even Antonio Raimondo, the event’s top scorer with six, was able to find the net.

“There’s a lot of regret,” said the Italy Head Coach. “After what we showed throughout the tournament and in the final, we deserved more. However, given the kind of group that has been created and the growth of the lads, who will certainly remember this experience, there’s also satisfaction. I can’t criticise them at all. When you display the commitment, passion and dedication that they did, you should come off the pitch with your head held high. I’m sure that they’ll have the chance to play in many other finals in their careers if they continue to play in this manner.”

(Photo credit: Pagliaricci CONI)

Fixtures, results and standings in Group B

Matchday 1 (26 June)
Greece 1-2 Turkey
ITALY 1-0 Portugal

Matchday 2 (28 June)
ITALY 4-0 Greece 
Portugal 2-0 Turkey

Matchday 3 (30 June)
ITALY 0-0 Turkey 
Portugal 0-2 Greece 

Standings: ITALY 7 points, Turkey 4, Portugal and Greece 3

Semi-finals (2 July)

France 2-0 Turkey
ITALY 2-1 Morocco

Finals (4 July)

Third-place playoff, Turkey 2-4 Morocco

Final, ITALY 0-1 France