Mission accomplished in Bremen, Italy flies to Malta. Italy drew 2-2 against Belgium at the Stadio Obervieland, securing first place in group 2 and gaining access to Malta (3-16 July). The other match of the group ended with Germany's victory against Slovenia (3-0) and the Azzurrini only needed a draw to secure their passage to the next round. A battle, fought with courage and technical sagacity, that began with the Belgium opener scored by Bassette in the 8th minute. A cold shock from which the Azzurrini recovered immediately, equalizing first with D'Andrea on a penalty kick and going ahead, again from 11 metres, with Esposito. Belgium's equaliser came from the penalty spot in the 85th minute and, despite the 5 minutes of added time, the Azzurrini absorbed the pressure and brought home the qualification. A match to frame for Koleosho, on the pitch from the first minute and then substituted because he was limping: despite his precarious condition, he was the real thorn in the side for Belgium.

Bollini was delighted at the end of the match: "This is a victory for Italy," stressed the Azzurri coach, "today the boys put a lot of heart into the game. We played with four 18-year-olds (under age) against an opponent of great technical depth and overcame a group that seemed insurmountable. It was an uphill path due to the one and only undeserved defeat we suffered in the opening match of the first phase against Estonia. A great group with a great heart and a great staff that managed to turn all the negativity into strength and determination".

THE MATCH. Bollini had to do without Kayode and Regonesi, the two starting full-backs, replaced by Missori and Chiarodia. Mastrantonio and D'Andrea back from suspension. Belgium immediately pressed and after 1 minute of play it was Mbangula, the Juventus Primavera forward, who brought the first danger, wedging himself into the Azzurri defence and drawing a Mastrantonio save. The Belgian action was insistent and in the 7th minute, the opener arrived: captain Dony freed himself from D'Andrea's marker and, near the right corner, lined up a perfect cross for Bassette who, getting up really well, scored with a header. Italy reacted with D'Andrea who, in the 12th minute, from the right, just inside the area, committed Peersman with his left footer.

Then it was time for Koleosho, who rose to the occasion in the 25th minute when he started from deep, moved to the centre of the box and exploded with a right-footed shot, Peersmman stretching out, deflecting the ball just enough to send it onto the post. It was again the Espanyol striker who brought another danger on the right, where he beat two opponents and again fired a right-footed shot that forced the Belgian goalkeeper to clear over the crossbar. It was an Azzurri story, which was interrupted in the 40th minute by Stroeykens who, inside the area, directed his right-footed shot into the opposite corner, but the shot was intercepted by Faticanti's leg. In the 47th minute came the deserved equaliser for Italy: Koleosho from the right put a ball into the middle that was touched with his hand by Sadiki in the middle of the area, the referee awarded the penalty that D'Andrea (his second goal in this tournament) scored by firing high into the centre.

The first half ended in a draw and in the second half, in the 51st minute, the Azzurrini immediately took the lead, in what was a replay of the first goal: D'Andrea flew down the right, crossed into the middle and Dany hit the ball with his hand. He beat Espostito from 11 metres, with a hard, unstoppable strike and it was 2-1. The Azzurrini continued to keep the game in their hands, creating with Koleosho who, despite his precarious physical condition, created at least four more chances. In the 65th minute, Italy went close to making it 3-1: a cross from the left by Chiarodia was tapped into the box by Esposito from close range, but the ball was caught by Peersman. The match turned into a battle, the Red Devils were not prepared to lose and in the 85th minute the referee awarded a spot-kick to Belgium for a foul in the box by Mane on substitute Sagrato. From the penalty spot, Stroeykens made no mistake even though Mastrantonio, guessing, nearly managed to stop the ball. The referee awarded five minutes of added time and the battle continued, but the Azzurrini held their own and maintained parity until the end, a result that meant qualification for the final stages of the European Championships, scheduled in Malta from 3rd to 16th July.

Italy 2-2 Belgium

Goalscorers: Bassette 8’, D’Andrea 47’ (P), Esposito 51’ (P), Stroeykens 85’ (P)

Italy ((4-3-3): Mastrantonio, Missori, Dellavalle, Mane, Chiarodia; Pisilli, Faticanti (C), Lipani (Amatucci 68’); D’Andrea (Vignato 75’), Esposito, Koleosho( Kumi 66’). Coach. Bollini. Subs. Palmisani, , Stivanello, Raimondo.

Belgium (4-3-3): Peersman, Sadili, Lagae (Vermeeren 72’), Spileers, Doni (C); Mbangula, Mbamba (Wasinski 66’), Kuavita; Stroeykens, Stassin (Vermant 64’), Bassette (Canak 64’). Coach. Siquet. Subs. Van Neck, Sagrado, Godts, Da Silva.

Officials: Karaoglan (TUR); Assistenti: Tugral (TUR) and Koslwski (GER); IV Uomo, Badstubner (GER).

Bookings: Chiarodia, Lagae, Dony, Faticanti, Pisilli, Vermant.

The squad

Goalkeepers: Davide Mastrantonio (Triestina), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone);

Defenders: Fabio Christian Chiarodia (Werder Bremen), Lorenzo Dellavalle (Juventus), Michael Olabode Kayode (Fiorentina), Filippo Calixte Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Filippo Missori (Roma), Iacopo Regonesi (Atalanta), Riccardo Stivanello (Bologna);

Midfielders: Lorenzo Amatucci (Fiorentina), Giacomo Faticanti (Roma), Justin Kumi (Sassuolo), Luca Lipani (Genoa), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma);

Attackers: Luca D’andrea (Sassuolo), Francesco Esposito (Inter), Luis Hasa (Juventus), Luca Warrick Daeovie Koleosho (Espanyol), Antonio Raimondo (Bologna), Samuele Vignato (Monza).

Results and standings of Group 2

Wednesday 22 March

Germany 2-3 ITALY

Belgium 0-0 Slovenia

Saturday 25 March

Slovenia 0-0 ITALY

Germany 1-1 Belgium

Tuesday 28 March

ITALY 2-2 Belgium

Slovenia 0-3 Germany

Standings. Italy 5 pt, Germany 4, Belgium 3, Slovenia 2