The U17 Women’s National Team continued their run of great form today with a second win from their two friendlies against Norway. This will be yet another source of confidence for the side after having progressed through the first round of European Qualifiers with maximum points. They now have two months before the Elite Phase of the competition, which will see them in action from 22 to 28 March in Belgium against the host country, Switzerland and Greece.

The game in Sarno on Tuesday was decided by Alice Ilaria Berti’s goal right at the death, and the Azzurrine came away with yet another positive result today after a 3-2 win at the Stadio Figliolia in Baronissi (SA), the goals coming from Nicole Arcangeli, Chiara Beccari and Berti. Nazzarena Grilli’s 4-3-3 starting line-up was inspired by a stellar Maria Letizia Musolino performance, the Juventus star popping up after just five minute to get the assist for Arcangeli’s opener. Omarsdottir made the most of a defensive error to make it 1-1 in the 27th minute, but Italy re-established and then doubled their lead just before half-time thanks to big goals from Beccari and Berti. The second half was a well-fought battle between both sides but only saw one goal, Bjornsen netting in the 79th minute to make it 3-2 at full-time.

Grilli was full of praise after the match: “The girls were immense. They played two fantastic games against a side at the very top level who were also very strong physically, a side who scored 24 goals in the European Qualifiers without conceding a single one.” The Azzurrine will head to Portugal at the end of February for their final test before the Elite Phase itself: “These two matches were very useful, we’ll be facing another strong opponent in a month’s time with the goal of preparing as best we can for the second phase of the European Championship.”