The Group B matches ended yesterday and everything was decided in the match between Spain and Norway, which ended in a solonimous goalless draw that sends both teams to the semifinals. The Spaniards, who finished first, will be Italy's opponents; the Norwegians will face Portugal. Both matches will be played on Thursday 13 July, the first at 21:00 CEST, at the National Stadium in Tà Qali and will be broadcast live on Rai Sport (channel 58 DT); the second will be played at 18:00 CEST, at the Tony Bezzina in Paola.

Alberto Bollini was at the stadium yesterday to watch the game of his next opponent: "We are playing against a team that has always been tough and has excellent players such as Ivan Fresneda (Real Vallodolid's right-back), who is the subject of much attention in the current transfer market, including some Italian clubs. We have to try to be 'our' Italy, organised and solid, against an opponent that is yet to lose or concede so far this tournament".

Michael Kaiodè, starring in the match against Poland, turned 19 yesterday, a birthday celebrated in the evening with the whole team and staff: "It is a source of happiness and pride for me to have been with my teammates, an infinite joy". He had already played against Spain in a friendly match in January, a match that was lost by a narrow margin (1-0) but was a hard-fought one: "I remember well that in the first half we wasted many chances to take the lead, but on the pitch we showed that we could do well against a team that plays excellent football and has many strong individuals. A friendly is one thing, a European semi-final is another: "Of course and we are well aware of that but I have great confidence in my team-mates and in the value of this team. I am very calm".

Semifinals

Thursday 13 July

Portugal v Norway, 18:00 CEST, at the Tony Bezzina Stadium in Paola

Spain v ITALY, 21:00 CEST, at the National Stadium in Tà Qali, live on Rai Sport

Squadlist

Goalkeepers: Davide Mastrantonio (Triestina), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone);
Defenders: Andrea Bozzolan (Milan), Fabio Christian Chiarodia (Borussia M.), Alessandro Dellavalle (Torino), Lorenzo Dellavalle (Juventus), Michael Olabode Kayode (Fiorentina), Filippo Missori (Sassuolo), Iacopo Regonesi (Atalanta);
Midfielders: Lorenzo Amatucci (Fiorentina), Giacomo Faticanti (Roma), Luca Lipani (Genoa), Cher Ndour (Benfica), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma);
Forwards: Luca D'Andrea (Sassuolo), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Luis Hasa (Juventus), Luca Warrick Daeovie Koleosho (Espanyol), Nicolò Turco (Juventus), Samuele Vignato (Monza)