Italy Under-19 beat their Belgian counterparts 2-0 in Helsinki today and are into the finals of the Euros, which will be held in Slovakia from the second half of June. The Azzurrini were in full control from start to finish and totally stifled Belgian attempts to break them down. The team looked compact and solid, taking the lead just nine minutes in through Juventus man Miretti. Belgium hardly looked threatening, while Italy pushed hard for a second goal. That goal finally came in the 45th minute; Casadei headed home from Miretti’s free-kick.

After the break, the Azzurrini managed the game really well and shut Belgium down any time they tried to put together an attacking move. Gnonto and Nasti both went close to making it 3-0. The Red Devils upped the tempo in the final ten minutes but to no avail as they couldn’t produce a single effort, which tested Desplanches. Italy are going to the Euros!

Carmine Nunziata: “We’ve played perfectly throughout the group stage. The boys have been fantastic. They’ve put their hearts and souls into it and played some brilliant football against good teams like Germany and Belgium. This final game is a great source of satisfaction for all of us. I want to thank the players, the staff and the Federation for the dedication, which they have shown in the groups.”

Belgium 0-2 Italy

Goals: Miretti 9’, Casadei 45’

Italy (4-3-1-2). Desplanches; Mulazzi, Ghilardi, Scalvini, Giovane (C); Fabbian, Faticanti, Casadei; Gnonto (Baldanzi  82’), Miretti (Terracciano 90’), Ambrosino (Nasti 59’). Coach: Nunziata. Subs.: Zacchi, Coppola, Fazzini, Turricchia,  Zanotti.

Belgium (4-3-3). Boets; Ngoy, Lavia (C), Leysen, Rommens (Olaigbe 72’); Engels, Mbamba-Muanda, Audoor (Mondele 88’); Oyen, Sandra (Bakayoko 59’), Descotte (Stroeykens 72’). Coach: Sonck. Subs.: Jochmans, Lagae, Wasinsky, Engwanda-Ongena, , Calut.

Referee. Kralović SVK; Assistants Erik Weiss (SVK) and Olli Jantunen (FIN); Fourth Official, Reitala (FIN).

Bookings: Rommens 45’, Nasti 65’, Ghilardi 65’, Miretti 70’

Standings. Italy 7pts,  Belgium 4, Finland 3, Germany 2