It is Portugal again who are in the way of Italy becoming this year's U19 European champions in Malta. Since the tournament was organised by UEFA and reserved to Under-19 sides, it happened in 2003 in Liechtenstein when Paolo Berrettini's side came out on top thanks to goals by Della Rocca and Pazzini. And it also happened in 2018 in Finland with Paolo Nicolato's Azzurrini narrowly losing after extra-time (4-3, with a Kean brace and one from Scamacca not enough).

The teams have already met in this year's competition: a 5-1 loss for Italy eight days ago in Ta'Qali in the group stages, but Alberto Bollini's lads will certainly be looking for a different outcome this time around. With the superb win over Spain now behind them, Italy must recuperate the energy used up in a short recovery session, with the final only two days away, scheduled to take place at the National Stadium in Ta'Qali on Sunday at 21:00 CEST. The game will be shown live on Rai 3 in Italy and, for the Azzurri Youth Sector, will be the second final in a month, following the Under 20's defeat to Uruguay in the World Cup final on 11 June in Argentina.

It is proof of the worth and continued work of Club Italia. Part of that side in Argentina are also taking part in this group: Luca Lipani, Niccolò Pisilli, Giacomo Faticanti and Francesco Pio Esposito. They will be the first looking to turn tears of sadness into tears of joy.