From a very young age, Simone Pafundi has been likened to the greatest in football. Watching him run with the number 10 on his back and admiring his left foot, it's easy to see why. His left foot produces football of the highest quality, revealing a talent so pure and instinctive that it's impossible to overlook. Roberto Mancini was one of the first to notice, calling him up to the senior national team and giving him his debut at just 16 years, 8 months, and 2 days old on 16 November 2022, in a match against Albania in Tirana.

PAFUNDI. That memory is still very vivid in my mind," says Pafundi from Belfast to Vivo Azzurro TV, the FIGC's OTT platform available on the App Store, Google Play, and at www.vivoazzurrotv.it. "But I was very young. Now, my dream is to return to the senior national team and do it with more awareness. I've grown, experienced football outside of Italy, and I'm ready to play my cards". Clear ideas and precise goals. When Pafundi speaks, he never raises his voice, but his words are direct, filled with the confidence of someone who knows what he wants. "The Italy team means a lot to me. Competing in such an important tournament is a source of great satisfaction and pride. I couldn't wait for this European Championship. Since qualifying in March, I've thought about it every day. Now we're here, facing a semifinal, and we want to go all the way".

In the National Football Stadium in Belfast on Thursday 25 July at 15:00 CEST, the Azzurrini take on Spain for a place in the final. This is a rematch of last year's semifinal in Malta, where Italy triumphed 3-2 over La Roja. 'We've had a very positive group phase', Pafundi continues. 'We played three great games, and the loss to Ukraine (which hasn't lost a game in all of 2024) was just a setback. We're very focused on the match against Spain and want to go all the way. We're a strong team and can perform even better. The defeat in the last match will serve as a lesson for the semifinal. We need to stay more focused during certain phases of the game. Corradi keeps us very calm, and I believe the quality of our play is a great weapon that we must try to exploit. Our goal has always been to win the European Championship. Last year's victory certainly brought more attention to our journey, but this shouldn't put pressure on us. Instead, we want to replicate that result".

Much will also depend on the quality of the Azzurrini's number 10. Italy's top scorer in the qualifying phase with 5 goals, has yet to score in this final phase. "Do I miss scoring? Yes, but on a personal level, I believe I've played well in the European Championship so far. I can certainly do more, but scoring isn't a priority. I'm focused on achieving results and winning". Doing so while wearing the most iconic jersey would be even more special. "Wearing Italy's number 10 is thrilling. It's the most beautiful jersey. Wearing it in such a competition carries great responsibility and even greater satisfaction". Concluded Pafundi.

The full interview is available on Vivo Azzurro TV."

UEFA EURO UNDER-19

Group A: Northern Ireland (hosts), Norway, Italy (holders), Ukraine
Group B: Denmark, Türkiye, France, Spain

MATCHDAY 1

Group A, Monday 15 July
Italy 2-1 Norway | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Northern Ireland 0-0 Ukraine | Inver Park, Larne

Group B, Tuesday 16 July
Denmark 1-2 Spain | Inver Park, Larne
France 2-1 Türkiye | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

MATCHDAY 2

Group A, Thursday 18 July
Norway 0-0 Ukraine | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Northern Ireland 0-3 Italy | Inver Park, Larne

Group B, Friday 19 July
Denmark 2-4 France | Inver Park, Larne
Türkiye 1-1 Spain | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

MATCHDAY 3

Group A, Sunday 21 July
Norway 2-0 Northern Ireland | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Ukraine 3-2 Italy | Inver Park, Larne

Group B, Monday 22 July
Türkiye 3-3 Denmark | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Spain 2-2 France | Inver Park, Larne

Table after Matchday 3
Group A: Italy 6, Ukraine 5, Norway 4, Northern Ireland
Group B: France 7, Spain 5, Türkiye 2, Denmark 1

WORLD CUP UNDER-20 PLAYOFF

Thursday 25 July
Norway vs. Türkiye, 17:30 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

SEMI-FINALS*

Thursday 25 July

S1: Italy vs. Spain, 15:00 CEST | National Football Stadium a Windsor Park, Belfast
S2: France vs. Ukraine, 20:00 CEST | National Football Stadium a Windsor Park, Belfast

FINAL

Sunday 28 July
S1 winner vs. S2 winner, 20:00 CEST | National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast