Mission accomplished with a game to spare. In beating Iceland 3-0, the Under 19 National Team sealed their place in the second phase of qualification for the European Championship. With 180 minutes played in the group that is being played out in Slovenia, Italy have taken full points after beating the Icelanders who had won their opening match against Slovenia, while the hosts and Lithuania drew 1- 1 today. "We’re happy for qualifying in advance”, explained coach Carmine Nunziata at the end of the match. “It was our first objective and we achieved it with a good performance. close the round with full points. Now we’ll enjoy finishing out round, but we have to stay focused because we want to end the group on full points”.

Italy took the lead after just three minutes thanks to a goal from Wilfried Gnonto (Zurich) set up with a ball in behind the Icelandic defence. Gnonto himself, however, had a penalty saved in the 25th minute. In the second half, Tommaso Mancini (Vicenza) doubled the lead in the 49th minute and the definitive third was added by Giovanni Fabbian (Inter) in the 67th minute, both from corner kicks. Italy will return to the pitch on Tuesday at 15:30 CEST against Slovenia in Gornja Radgona.

Schedule and standings

Wednesday 6 October

ITALY 2-0 Lithuania

Iceland 3-1 Slovenia

Standings. Italy and Iceland 3 pts, Slovenia and Lithuania 0

Saturday 9 October

ITALY vs. Iceland, 15:30 CEST - Bakovci Stadium

Slovenia vs. Lithuania, 15:30 CEST - Tšc trate

Tuesday 12 October

Slovenia vs. ITALY, 15:30 CEST - Tšc trate

Lithuania vs. Iceland, 15:30 CEST - Bakovci Stadium