The Azzurrini's European adventure came to an end at the Netanya Municipal Stadium. The Netherlands beat the Italy 2-1 and will play the winner of Denmark vs. Serbia in the semi-finals this coming Sunday. The first half didn't go well for our Under-17 side, with the Dutch taking a two-goal lead into half-time. There was a promising reaction from the Azzurrini after the break, who pulled one back through Lipani. Corradi tried to get his team back into the game through his substitutions, but ultimately it wasn't to be. Yet again, the Netherlands have proven themselves to be Italy’s bogey team.

The match. The Netherlands were relentless in the opening half hour and showed no signs of easing up. In the 27th minute, Mesehouy gave his side the lead as he slid in to put Babadi's cross in the net. Italy’s reaction to going a goal behind was good as Quieto went one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper, but his shot, destined for the near post, was well covered by Kuijesten. In the 42nd minute, Misehouy orchestrated the second: his cross from the right was met by the head of Van Duiven, who headed home from close range.

The Azzurrini came out much more aggressive, and, in the 64th minute, Lipani got on the end of Bruno's corner to reduce the arrears. The Azzurrini gave absolutely everything in the hope of drawing level, but the Dutch held firm to come away with the victory.

Netherlands 2-1 Italy

Goalscorers: 27' Misehouy, 43' Van Duiven, 64' Lipani  

NETHERLANDS (4-3-3): Kuijsten; Rovers (81' Henry), Blokzijl, Huijsen, Breinburg (72' Kleijn); Vos, Misehouy (83' Banzuzi), Milambo (72' Van Den Heuvel); Slory (72' Boerhout), Van Duiven, Babadi (C). Subs: Klaverboer (GK), Agougil, Splinter, Rust. Head Coach: Visser.

ITALY (4-3-1-2): Magro; Domanico, Mane, Chiarodia, Saiani (73' Malaspina); Ciammaglichella (73' Onofrietti), Lipani (C), Di Maggio; Bruno (81' Delle Monache); Bolzan (51' Esposito), Quieto (51' Vacca). Subs: Borriello (GK), Serra, D'Aprile, Parravicini. Head Coach: Corradi.

Referee: Willy Delajod (FRA). Linesmen: Erwan Finjean (FRA) and Daniel Vasilevski (MKD). Fourth Official: Igor Stojchevski (MKD).

Bookings: 40' Saiani, 65' Breinburg, 68' Huijsen, 90' Henry.

 

Quarter-finals

Wednesday 25 May

Germany (3) 1-1 (4) France

The Netherlands 2-1 ITALY

Thursday 26 May

Denmark vs. Serbia, Stadio di Nes Ziona, 16:30 CEST

Spain vs. Portugal, Stadio Municipale di Netanya, 19:00 CEST

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Federico Magro (Lazio), Francesco Borriello (Parma);

Defenders: Fabio Christian Chiarodia (Werder Bremen), Giovanni D’Aprile (Torino), Saverio Domanico (Juventus), Mattia Malaspina (Milan), Filippo Mane (Dortmund), Filippo Saiani (Spal), Nicolò Serra (Torino);

Midfielders: Kevin Bruno (Sassuolo), Aaron Ciammaglichella (Torino), Luca Di Maggio (Inter), Luca Lipani (Genoa), Vincenzo Onofrietti (Dortmund), Fabio Parravicini (Spal), Daniele Quieto (Inter);

Forwards: Alessandro Bolzan (Roma), Marco Delle Monache (Pescara), Alessio Vacca (Juventus), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter).