After a draw in Germany and three points in the Czech Republic, the Under-20 National side are now ready to open up their Elite League campaign at home against Poland at the stadio Nicola Ceravolo in Catanzaro on Friday 13 October at 18:00 CEST (live on figc.it). The Polish side lead the group alongside Italy on four points in a tournament that contains eight other teams. Head Coach Alberto Bollini has announced a 22-player squad, who will meet up on Monday 9 October in Lamezia Terme, and where they will hold their first training session in the afternoon.

It will be the first time for the Under 20s in the Calabrian city. Instead, the National Youth teams return to Catanzaro after six years following two friendlies for the Under 17s against the Czech Republic (played at the Federal Reegional Centre). At the Ceravolo, also the Under 21s have played there, with the last time being in 2003 when they beat Azerbaijan 6-0 in a European qualifying group game courtesy of a brace by Gilardino and goals from Zaccardo, Gasbarroni, D'Agostino and Borriello. 

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Davide Mastrantonio (Monterosi Tuscia), Lorenzo Palmisani (Olbia);
Defenders: Tommaso Barbieri (Pisa), Tommaso Corazza (Bologna), Alessandro Dellavalle (Torino), Alessandro Fontanarosa (Cosenza), Filippo Missori (Sassuolo), Iacopo Regonesi (Atalanta), Alessandro Pio Riccio (Modena), Filippo Terracciano (Verona);
Midfielders: Lorenzo Amatucci (Fiorentina), Giacomo Faticanti (Lecce), Samuel Giovane (Ascoli), Luis Hasa (Juventus), Lorenzo Ignacchiti (Pontedera), Riccardo Pagano (Roma), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma)
Forwards: Federico Accornero (Pescara), Luca D'Andrea (Catanzaro), Daniele Montevago (Gubbio), Antonio Raimondo (Ternana), Nicolò Turco (Liefering)

Staff - Head Coach: Alberto Bollini; Head of Delegation: Evaristo Beccalossi; Assistant Coach: Marco Scarpa: Fitness Coach: Nicolò Varesco; Goalkeeping Coach: Francesco Antonioli; Match Analyst: Luca Dalmasso; Doctors: Carmelo Papotto, Benedetto Carta; Physiotherapists: Angelo Cartocci, Giuseppe Galli; Nutritionist: Alessio Colli; Secretary: Luca Gatto

ELITE LEAGUE 2023-24
Thursday 12 October
18:00 CEST: Romania vs. England
18:00 CEST: Norway vs. Czech Republic
Friday 13 October
16:00 CEST: Portugal vs. Germany
18:00 CEST: Italy vs. Poland (stadio Nicola Ceravolo, Catanzaro, live on figc.it)

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 

Tables (games played in brackets): Poland (2) and Italy (2) 4, Portugal (2) and Romania (2) 3, Germany (2) 2, England (0), Norway (0), Czech Republic (2) 0

ITALY'S FIXTURE SCHEDULE
Friday 13 October: Italy vs. Poland
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 

Games already played
Thursday 7 September
Germany 1-1 Italy 
Romania 2-0 Czech Republic 
Venerdì 8 settembre
Poland 4-0 Portugal 

Monday 11 September
Polond 1-1 Germany
Czech Republic 0-1 Italy
Tuesday 12 September
Portugal 2-1 Romania