That run into the penalty area, that header, that goal and that slide on the grass celebrating the winning goal in the semi-final against Spain: Luca Lipani still hasn't forgotten it one bit in the slightest. It was a goal that put them through to the final, beating Portugal, which brought the European Under-19 title back to Italy twenty years on from the last time. Exactly 365 days have passed since that Italy vs. Spain match and 48 hours before the opener against Norway, Lipani himself is charging the troops up: "The memory of a year ago will never disappear; I will carry it with me forever. But in football you can't live on memories, you always have to keep proving your worth. Now, we are here in Belfast to try and win a new European Championship and I am convinced that this group has everything it takes to do it again"

This morning, the Azzurrini held their first training session on Northern Irish soil: “We have a great group of players and great harmony," continued Lipani. "These are fundamental aspects for the national team, where there is never a lot of time to work. It is important to be good and listen to each other, understanding the needs that every player may have. We are a cohesive group, who have fun together both on and off the pitch. I find many similarities with the national team that won in Malta last year." Lipani and Chiarodia are the two 'veterans' of that adventure "and we know that we have to bring something more. We want to convey to all our teammates, from the youngest to the most experienced, that wearing this shirt is a responsibility, but also a privilege. Everyone must feel important in equal percentages."

The countdown is now over; Norway is around the corner: “We must not make the mistake of underestimating Norway, Northern Ireland and Ukraine, just because they are less fashionable national teams compared to what France and Spain can represent (who are in the other group, ed.). Norway are in perfect physical condition to face this competition being halfway through their domestic league campaign, as are Northern Ireland, who will play in front of their own fans, and Ukraine will certainly have motivations outside of football, too. It will be a group full of pitfalls and we will have to be good to make it as less complicated as possible."

It is a more mature and more responsible Lipani, who has also grown thanks to his experiences at Sassuolo: “It wasn't easy to leave Genoa. When you grow up at home, in your club and decide to leave you are always full of questions. But looking back now, there wasn't a single reason to be afraid. I've settled in really well into an environment that welcomed me with open arms. Of course, the long-distance relationship with the family is tough, but now I feel much more like a man than a boy," he concludes. "Indeed, living far away has also strengthened my relationship with the family: by not living with them every day, you are able to better understand all the sacrifices they have made to support you in sport and in developing your dream. Sometimes, we risk taking the people we love for granted, but this is no longer the case and you begin to appreciate them even more."

SCHEDULE AND TV. The Azzurrini will make their debut on Monday 15 July at 16:30 CEST against Norway (Seaview Stadium, Belfast), while on Thursday 18 they will face Northern Ireland (20:00 CEST at Inver Park in Larne), ending their group stage  against Ukraine on Sunday 21 (20:00 CEST in Larne). The top two in the group will go through, qualifying both for the semi-finals (scheduled for Thursday 25 July) and the Under-20 World Cup, to be held in Chile in 2025, while the third-placed teams will have to battle out a play-off to determine the fifth European team to qualify for the next event. Italy's matches will be broadcast on RaiPlay.

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Federico Magro (Lazio), Renato Bellucci Marin (Roma);

Defenders: Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Fabio Cristian Chiarodia (Borussia Monchengladbach), Christian Corradi (Hellas Verona), Vittorio Magni (Milan), Filippo Calixte Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Filippo Pagnucco (Juventus);

Midfielders: Aaron Ciammaglichella (Torino), Luca Di Maggio (Inter), Jonas Harder (Fiorentina), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Marco Romano (Genoa), Kevin Zeroli (Milan);

Forwards: Lorenzo Anghelè (Juventus), Francesco Camarda (Milan), Tommaso Ebone (Milan), Simone Pafundi (Lausanne), Diego Sia (Milan).

Staff – Head coach: Bernardo Corradi; Head of Delegation; Gianfranco Serioli;National Youth Teams coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Secretary: Aldo Blessich; Assisant coach: Mirco Gasparetto; Fitness coach: Marco Montini; Goalkeeping coach: Graziano Vinti; Match analyst: Francesco Donzella; Doctors: Paolo Manetti and Cristiano Benelli; Nutritionist: Micol Purrotti; Physiotherapists: Giuliano Gepponi and Andrea Cantera; Press officer: Matteo Santi; Administrative office: Marinella Diaco; General services: Carlo Fanano.

UEFA EURO UNDER-19

Group A: Northern Ireland (hosts), Norway, Italy (holders), Ukraine
Group B: Demark, Türkiye, France, Spain

MATCHDAY 1

Group A, Monday 15 July
Italy vs. Norway, 16:30 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Northern Ireland vs. Ukraine, 20:00 CEST | Inver Park, Larne

Group B, Tuesday 16 July
Denmark vs. Spain, 16:30 CEST | Inver Park, Larne
France vs. Türkiye, 20:00 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

MATCHDAY 2

Group A, Thursday 18 July
Norway vs. Ukraine, 16:30 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Northern Ireland vs. Italy, 20:00 CEST | Inver Park, Larne

Group B, Friday 19 July
Denmark vs. France, 16:30 CEST | Inver Park, Larne
Türkiye vs Spain, 20:00 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

MATCHDAY 3

Group A, Sunday 21 July
Norway vs. Northern Ireland, 20:00 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Ukraine vs. Italy, 20:00 CEST | Inver Park, Larne

Group B, Monday 22 July
Türkiye vs. Denmark, 20:00 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Spain vs. France, 20:00 CEST | Inver Park, Larne

WORLD CUP UNDER-20 PLAY OFF

Thursday 25 July
3rd in Group A vs. 3rd in Group B, 17:30 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

SEMI-FINALS*

Thursday 25 July

S1: Winner of Group A vs. 2nd in Group B
S2: Winner of Group B vs. 2nd in Group A

*The matches will be played at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast at 15:00 and 20:00 CEST. The order of the semi-finals will be decided after the group stage.

FINAL

Sunday 28 July
S1 winner vs. S2 winner, 20:00 CEST | National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast