The National Beach Soccer Team have begun their preparations for the European Games, with the beach soccer tournament set to take place in Minsk from 25 to 29 June. Head Coach Emiliano Del Duca has 16 players at his disposal, and they will train from 18 to 22 June, the day when they’ll depart for Belarus’s capital.

In the last European Games played in Baku, Italy claimed the silver medal. Once they arrive in Minsk, the National Team will complete two days of training before their opening game against Ukraine on Tuesday 25 June. It’ll then be time to face Russia the day after before their final group fixture against Spain on Thursday 27 June. The semi-final clashes and final are pencilled in for 28 and 29 June respectively.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Alessio Battini (Pisa Beach Soccer), Andrea Carpita (Viareggio Beach Soccer), Simone Del Mestre (Sambenedettese Beach Soccer));
Defenders: Gregorio Altobelli (Napoli Beach Soccer), Alfio Chiavaro (Catania Beach Soccer), Francesco Corosiniti (Catania Beach Soccer), Dario Ramacciotti;
Outfield: Michele Di Palma (Pisa Beach Soccer ), Alessio Frainetti (Beach Soccer Club Terracina), Gentilini Josep Junior (Sambenedettese Beach Soccer), Simone Marinai (Viareggio Beach Soccer), Pietro Angelo Palazzolo (Catania Beach Soccer), Paolo Palmacci (Catania Beach Soccer);
Forwards: Gabriele Gori (Viareggio Beach Soccer), Marcello Percia Montani (Sambenedettese Beach Soccer), Emmanuele Zurlo (Catania Beach Soccer).

Staff - Head Coach: Emiliano Del Duca; Head of delegation: Massimo Agostini; Accompanying director: Ferdinando Arcopinto; Assistant Coach: Michele Leghissa; Fitness Coach: Paolo La Rocca; Goalkeeping Coach: Antonino Nosdeo; Doctors: Gianluca Fedeli (18-21 June) and Giorgio Bruni (21-30 June); Physiotherapist: Enrico Matera.

Full schedule

Wednesday 19 June
10:00 Training
16:30 Training

Thursday 20 June
10:00 Training
16:30 Training

Friday 21 June
10:00 Training
16:30 Training

Saturday 22 June
12:40 Flight from Fiumicino to Minsk

Sunday 23 June
h. tbc Training

Monday 24 June
h. tbc Training

Tuesday 25 June
18:00 Ukraine vs. Italy

Wednesday 26 June
15:30 Italy vs. Russia

Thursday 27 June
18:00 CEST Italy vs. Spain

Friday 28 June
h. tbc Semi-finals

Saturday 29 June
h. tbc Final

Sunday 30 June
09:45 Flight from Minsk to Fiumicino