The Under 21s will go to the Euros in Romania and Georgia with two victories under their belt. After beating Serbia in Backa Topola last Friday, they followed that up with a 3-1 win over Ukraine in Reggio Calabria this evening in what was their last fixture before the Finals in June. It was a big test for Paolo Nicolato's side, coming up against another side who have qualified for the Euros, and they produced an excellent display, creating many goal opportunities. Three of those were converted courtesy of Matteo Lovato in the first half and Lorenzo Colombo's double strike after the break. Completing a perfect evening off was the presence of 8,300 fans at Oreste Granillo, with around 4,000 of these young, aspiring football players from Calabria's many football clubs (with some also from Sicily), after a campaign promoted by the FIGC's Youth Sector and Education department.

"We played really well," said Nicolato to figc.it. "I'm pleased with everyone's attitude, and hope they all get to play as much as possible and arrive to June in the best possible shape. I saw a game of high quality out there with lots of desire. I'm really satisfied: we showed a good mix, wanting to dominate the game but also in managing some siutations that developed. We're not one of the favourites at the Euros, but if we get there in good shape and with the chance to choose from our best pool of players then we'll be a challenge for anybody." 

THE MATCH. Nicolato selected a completely different starting line-up to the one in Serbia three days ago: Turati (who played for Reggina last year) was in goal; Lovato, Okoli and Pirola in defence; Bellanova, Bove, Ricci (captain), Fagioli and Udogie in mdifield, and the pairing of Cancellieri and Colombo up front. Fagioli, back after recently being sidelined with an ankle injury, had the first chance of the game, but his left-footed attempt was saved low down by Nescheret. It was an aggressive start from the Azzurrini, who continued to win the ball back high in the opposition's half, often giving the Ukraine defence difficulty in building out from the back. The opener arrived after 19 minutes: Fagioli's free-kick was headed home by Lovato, who did well to get ahead of Taloverov. All of Italy's chances were falling to the feet of Fagioli: firstly, his free-kick went just wide of the post; then, another effort was palmed away by Nescheret, before, finally, another free-kick came back off the post, before Okoli headed over in the following move. The only work Turati had to do was to stop an effort from Vivcharenko, before a left-footed attempt by Cancellieri went wide, closing out the first-half. 

The Lazio striker opened up a number of chances that came after the break: a powerful left-foot drive was put behind by by Nescheret (53'); then, two minutes later, Cancellieri again set up Bove whose right-footed shot was easily collected by Ukraine's number 1. But as Italy were dominating proceedings, Ukraine suddenly equalised through Kashchuk's last piece of action before being substituted, picking up a rebound and hitting a right-footed shot that Turati couldn't keep out. Italy's response was that of a great side: not even three minutes had passed before Colombo restored Italy's lead, hitting the back of the net at the second attempt. In-between, Oristanio, who had just come on for Cancellieri, had hit the bar from close range. Three subs all had a part to play in Italy's third goal: Fabbian (Reggina player, like Pierozzi, both entering the action on 77') started the move, flicking on for Oristanio, who drove forward and found the Lecce forward, who headed home. A minute before the end of normal time he went off, earning a standing ovation from the watching crowd. But the round of applause not only came for an excellent performance by Italy, but also for Ukraine, whose players entered the field of play with their national flag draped around them, in what is a difficult moment for the entire country. 

"Getting two goals was an incredible feeling, let's hope they come when the result really matters," said Colombo. "Regardless, I think I've improved a lot of areas in my game and one of the most important is to attack the goal more. I'm working on this a lot with my Club. There's quality in this National side: we can take anyone on, even the best in Europe." Speaking of emotions, Giovanni Fabbian's went through the roof: an Under-21 debut in the city where he plays his domestic football: "I'm over the moon, I really wanted to make my debut in this stadium," he said. "Inzaghi has given me the chance to bloom here in Reggio and I'm so thankful."

ITALY 3-1 UKRAINE
SCORERS: 19' pt Lovato (I), 68' Kashchuk (U), 71' and 82' Colombo (I)
ITALY: Turati; Lovato, Okoli, Pirola; Bellanova (77' Pierozzi), Bove (77' Fabbian), Ricci, Fagioli, Udogie; Cancellieri (69' Oristanio), Colombo (89' Mulattieri). Unused subs: Caprile, Sorrentino, Parisi, Viti, Esposito, Casadei, Zapelli, Ruggeri, Baldanzi, Zanoli, Gallo, Carboni. All. Nicolato
UKRAINE: Nescheret; Liakh, Taloverov, Batahov, Vivcharenko; Mykhaylenko (69' Ocheretko), Brazhko; Kashchuk (69' Khlan), Kryskiv, Viunnyk (77' Nazarenko); Sikan (77' Kukharevych). Unused subs: Kinareikin, Fesiun, Didyk, Zhelizko, Bilovar, Drambaiev, Rubchynskyi, Bol, Roman, Braharu. All. Rotan
REFEREE: Theouli (Cyprus). (Soteriou, Petrou; Fourth official: Cosso)
BOOKINGS: Batahov (U), Brazhko (U)