The Under-20s have kicked off their Elite League campaign with a 1-1 draw with Germany. In Berlin, Alberto Bollini's side gave an excellent performance, fighting back in the second half through Sassuolo forward Cristian Volpato's goal to cancel out Marius Wörl's opener (Arminia Bielefeld) just before the half-time break. The second match is set for Monday at 17:00 CEST in Tabor against the Czech Republic, who were beaten 2-0 by Romania in the other game played on this opening day of the tournament.

"We approached the game very well," explained the Azzurrini coach. "Then, we just slightly stepped off our pressing game allowing them to get the opening goal at the end of the first half, which will help the lads grow. After the break, though, considering that we were playing against the hosts on their turf and being one down, we didn't cave in and played a superb second half, creating many chances to score, which came from our bravery and the tactics we've been working on. We're just missing the win, which we fully deserved." 

THE GAME. Bollini lined up with Palmisani in goal, Barbieri, Ricco, Fontanarosa and Regonesi in defence; Hasa, Faticanti and Ignacchiti in midfield, and D'Andrea, Montevago and Koleosho up front. It was a fast start from the Azzurrini who, through some good individual play from the player who joined Burnley this summer, Koleosho, created the first chance of the game: Montevago's effort going just wide. Italy continued to dominate proceedings, keeping the ball well with Koleosho and D'Andrea causing problems both in inside forward positions and runs into the box. The tempo of the game, though, wasn't the highest, due to the hot temperatures in Berlin. On 35', a misunderstanding between Quarshie and keeper Noll nearly caused an own goal, and from the resulting corner Fontanarosa's header went over the bar. Three minutes later, Germany got their first whiff of goal: Eitschberger drove down the right-hand flank and put in a low cross, with Marino arriving just too late. But after a melee in the box, on 44', the Germans took the lead with Wörl turning it home.

At the start of the second half, Bollini brought on Volpato for D'Andrea. With ten minutes gone after the break, Germany had a great chance to double their lead, but Diehl, getting away from his marker Riccio, failed to hit the target. Volpato tried his luck on 57' with a left-foot strike that went just wide, before finding the equaliser with another left-foot hit that ricocheted in off the inside of the post. Not content, Italy continued to push forward for the winner: from corners on the right, first Montevago and then sub Amatucci both found the gloves of Noll, before the German number one was there once again to keep out Hasa after 81 minutes. It was all Italy in the closing stages, but the second goal was not to arrive and it ended 1-1.  

ELITE LEAGUE 2023/24
Thursday 7 September
Germany 1-1 ITALY 
Romania 2-0 Czech Republic
Friday 8 September
Poland vs. Portugal
England vs. Norway 
Standings: Romania 3; ITALY, Germany 1, Poland, Portugal, England, Norwary, Czech Republic 0

ITALY'S FIXTURE LIST
Monday 11 September (17:00 CEST): Czech Republic vs. Italy (Tabor)
Friday 13 October: Italy vs. Poland
Thursday 16 November: England vs. Italy 
Tuesday 21 November: Italy vs. Portugal 
Thursday 21 March 2024: Romania vs. Italy 
Monday 25 March 2024: Italy vs. Norway