After the first match in the elite phase against the Republic of Ireland, which was drawn (2-2) two days ago, tomorrow (10 March, 14:00 CET) the Under-17 national team faces its second game against Cyprus.  The hosts come from a defeat (4-2) against Ukraine, who now lead the standings in Group 6 of the second qualifying phase of the European Championship. Coached by Konstantinos Charalampidis, a former Aek Larnaca player, the Cypriots apply a 4-2-3-1 with good athleticism and the two standout players are left-back Andreas Nikolau and midfielder Ioannis Avramidis, the latter of whom scored the first goal against Ukraine. "Regardless of the result, the Cypriots played a good game against the Ukrainians," said Tommaso Ravaglioli, who scored the brace that drew Italy level against the Republic of Ireland, "so they should not be underestimated, also because they will be playing in front of their home crowd.

Tommaso was born in Cesena but grew up in the nearby Forlimpopoli football school. Accompanied by his father Veris, a true fan, he first passed through Forlì and Cesena before joining the Bologna youth team at the age of 13, where he now plays in the Under 17 championship with 19 goals to his name. He was selected for the Under 15 national team and due to covid, he missed this experience and joined Zoratto's Under 16 the following season, for whom he played 8 games and scored one goal. Arriving at Under 17 level, he scored a brace against Switzerland last August and, with the one he scored two days ago, he continues his form as a solid and concrete striker: "I was expecting Liberali's cross and I anticipated the position in order to be able to get the best shot away: after the goalkeeper's rebound, I followed the ball and managed to bury it".

On the game against the Irish: "They attacked us in the first half and we didn't play our game. But we are a very tight group and the reaction in the second half, helped by the subs made by coach Corradi, was decisive. We even went for a winner, thanks to several chances created and hit the post that denied us a goal from the free kick taken by Mannini". Tommaso lives in the Bologna boarding school, attends the sports science high school and likes Lautaro's game. He is right-footed and he doesn't hide his excitement for the two goals scored in the Azzurra jersey: "I haven't woken up yet, but the story of this qualification is not over yet: we still have two games left and we can't make mistakes. We want to win them and get to the finals of the European Championship."

The other match in the group is between Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland (14:00 CET), a match that if won by the Ukrainians, first after their victory over Cyprus (4-2), would all but guarantee their qualification to the next round.

Cyprus passed through the first qualifying round by finishing second in Group 11 behind Serbia. A three-team group, Cyprus achieved a win against Gibraltar (2-0) and a loss against Serbia (3-1). The record against Italy sees three wins for the Azzurrini and one draw.

Group 6 fixtures and table: Italy, Republic of Ireland, Ukraine and Cyprus

Tuesday 7 March

ITALY 2-2 Republic of Ireland

Cyprus 2-4 Ukraine

Table: Ukraine 3 points, Italy 1, Republic of Ireland 1, Cyprus 0

Friday 10 March

ITALY vs. Cyprus, at 15:00 (14 CET), Stelios Kyriakides Stadium – Paphos;

Ukraine vs. Republic of Ireland, at 15:00 (14 CET), Geroskipou Municipal Stadium – Paphos;

Monday 13 March

Ukraine vs. ITALY, at 15:00 (14 CET), Geroskipou Municipal Stadium – Paphos;

Republic of Ireland vs. Cyprus, at 15:00 (14 CET), Stelios Kyriakides Stadium - Paphos.

 

The squad

Goalkeepers: Tommaso Martinelli (Fiorentina), Francesco Plaia (Spezia);
Defenders: Matteo Cocchi (Inter), Fabio De Sole (Torino), Filippo Pagnucco (Juventus), Gabriel Ramaj (Atalanta), Edoardo Sadotti (Fiorentina), Alessandro Ventre (Juventus), Francesco Verde (Juventus);
Midfielders: Andrea Bonanomi (Atalanta), Francesco Crapisto (Juventus), Mattia Liberali (Milan), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Leonardo Mendicino (Atalanta), Lorenzo Riccio (Atalanta), Marco Romano (Genoa);
Attackers: Federico Ragnoli Galli (Atalanta), Emanuele Rao (Spal), Tommaso Ravaglioli (Bologna), Filippo Scotti (Milan).

Coach: Bernardo Corradi