The Under-16 national team's adventure in the UEFA Development Tournament in Portugal began in the best possible way. In Mirandela, Italy beat Sweden 5-2 and momentarily go top of the group while waiting for the other match of the day between Portugal and Belgium scheduled in Bragança in the afternoon. The goals of the Azzurrini, who were able to come back twice from the goals of Sweden's Jonsson, bear the signatures of an AC Milan striker Francesco Camarda, author of a double, Cristian Cama (Roma), Andrea Orlandi (Empoli) and Mattia Mosconi (Inter).

THE MATCH. The game started uphill because in the 3rd minute, Sweden found the opener with a with a valuable volley by Jonsson, but Italy's reaction was not long in coming and on the half-hour Camarda converted from the spot to make it 1-1 after Mosconi had been knocked down in the box. It was again Jonsson at the end of the half to put his team back in front, unleashing the reaction of the Azzurrini, who in the second half first scored the equalizer with Cama and then went ahead between the 70' and 80' thanks to the goals of Orlandi, Camarda and Mosconi.

"We showed more intensity of play and quality, especially when we had the ball," the analysis of coach Daniele Zoratto, "while in the non-possession phase we made some mistakes that cost us two goals. Sweden are a good team, who attack spaces well, and in fact the match was in the balance until the middle of the second half. In the substitutions, however, we had something more, being able to count on a superior squad".

On Saturday in Bragança (16:00 CEST), Italy will face Belgium, recently beaten 2-1 in a comeback on 1 November at the Val de Marne Tournament. Line-up changes are expected, also considering the rules of the tournament that require each player to be on the pitch for at least 90 minutes over the three matches: "It will probably be a more difficult match than today's," warns Zoratto, "also because compared to six months ago they have added several interesting youngsters to the group".

Calendar, results and standings of the UEFA Development Tournamen

Matchday 1 (Thursday 4 May)

Sweden 2-5 ITALY
Portugal 1-2 Belgium

Standings: ITALY, Belgium 3 points, Portugal and Sweden 0

Matchday 2 (Saturday 6 May)

16:00 CEST: ITALY vs Belgio, Estádio Municipal di Bragança
18:00 CEST: Portugal-Sweden, Estádio São Sebastião di Mirandela

Matchday 3 (Tuesday 9 May)

11:00 CEST: Sweden vs Belgium, Estádio Municipal di Macedo de Cavaleiros
12:00 CEST: Portugal vs ITALY, Estádio Municipal di Bragança