Two matches, two wins and nine goals scored. The U17 national side, after Finland 4-0 thanks to goals from Romano, Ragnoli Galli and Pafundi (along with the own goal from Levealahti) are just one step away from qualification for the next stage of the European Championships. The win in Pristina (Kosovo) adds to the 5-2 victory three days before and projects Bernado Corradi’s team to the top of Group 8 after two matches. Greece’s 5-0 win against Kosovo however, means Italy’s passage to the next stage is not yet confirmed and they will still have to face the Greeks on Tuesday in Sarajevo.

"The aim is to always play to win and the goal is to score three points in our next game”, - the words of Corradi. “We still have one last test and we will work to pass it on Tuesday: it would be naive and immature to approach the match against Greece in a bad way, it has to be played and won on the pitch. However, the first two matches confirm how much of a threat we pose in attack, otherwise we would not have scored nine goals, to which we must also add two missed penalties and a myriad of chances. Up front this group has quality, but today I also take with me the attention of the defence both in and out of possession. Against Kosovo we paid the price for not yet being adjusted to international standards that do not allow for distractions; this time it went better, and we can still improve”.

After an early shock after Lahteenmaki's free-kick hit the post, the result was clear from the quarter-hour mark thanks to Marco Romano's goal, who headed a well worked ball into the goal from a perfectly executed corner kick. Six minutes later came the Azzurrini's second: from Pafundi's ball towards the left, Mannini's cross allowed Federico Ragnoli Galli to slot it past Viitala with a great left-footed volley. Italy, running riot, found their third goal in the 23rd minute when Simone Pafundi himself, after beating his marker with a couple of feints, found the corner to Viitala's left. Corradi's boys, in total control of the match, continued to build chances, even managing to score a fourth, ten minutes into the second half: Matteo Cocchi, from the left, put in a strong and threatening ball which Levealahti deflected into his own goal.

Schedule, results and standings in Group 8

Matchday 1 (5 October)
Finland 2-1 Greece
Kosovo 2-5 ITALy

Matchday 2 (8 October)
Grecia 5-0 Kosovo
ITALY 4-0 Finland

Standings: ITALY 6 points, Finland and Greece 3, Kosovo 0

Matchday 3 (11 October)
13.00 CEST: Kosovo-Finlandia (Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri - Pristina)
13.00 CEST: ITALY-Greece (Zahir Pajaziti Stadium - Podujevo)