The second phase of Euro qualification for the Under 17s is about to get underway. After today's training camp ended at Giulio Onesti in Rome, Bernardo Corradi announced the 20 Azzurrini who will represent Italy in Group 6 of the Elite Round, where they will face the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus (the hosts) and Ukraine for one of two places available at the European Championships, scheduled in Budapest from 17 May to 2 June. “I want to thank all the lads for their dedication and efforts," declared the Azzurri Head Coach, "and to those who will not be with us, I say the door will always remain open. It will all depend on the amount of hard work and perseverance you put in every day on the training field.”

The 20 lads called up all were all born in 2006, except Matteo Cocchi (Inter), Francesco Verde (Juventus) and Mattia Liberali (AC Milan), who are from the 2007-born group. Overall, the following Clubs' youth academies are represented: Atalanta (five), Juventus (four), AC Milan (two), Fiorentina (two), Inter (one), Spezia (one), Bologna (one), SPAL (one), Genoa (one), Torino (one) and Roma (one).

Tomorrow morning (4 March), the players and backroom staff will depart for Paphos - a small town on the south-west coast of the island, where according to Greek mythology, Venus was born out of its waters – where Corradi's side will start off their campaign next Tuesday (7 March) against the Republic of Ireland, before facing the hosts on Friday 10 March and Ukraine on Monday 13 March. All the Azzurrini's games will kick off at 14:00 CET, (15:00 local time).

Italy have arrived at this phase of qualifying after easily coming through the first phase played in Finland last September; they ended top of Group 8, beating Kosovo (5-2), Finland (4-0) and Greece (2-0).

Speaking about the opposition, Bernardo Corradi said: “They are three very physical sides, who have good technical ability; Cyprus are probably the weakest in this aspect. But this doesn't mean anything, really: you still have play the game in front of you, and know that anything can happen in a game. In youth level football, often what makes the difference is the competitiveness and fight. In fact, this type of game at times can be more difficult because against the top sides, the focus and concentration always remains high. What these young players need to learn is that even if a game seems easier on paper, you still need to prepare for it as best as possible, both technically and mentally, keeping the right amount of concentration. If things don't quite go the way you expect them to, it's harder to the game back in your control during the game."

After an agreement between the FIGC and the Foro Italico University, there will a school teacher travelling with the squad to support the lads with their studies while away.

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Tommaso Martinelli (Fiorentina), Francesco Plaia (Spezia);
Defenders: Matteo Cocchi (Inter), Fabio De Sole (Torino), Filippo Pagnucco (Juventus), Gabriel Ramaj (Atalanta), Edoardo Sadotti (Fiorentina), Alessandro Ventre (Juventus), Francesco Verde (Juventus);
Midfielders: Andrea Bonanomi (Atalanta), Francesco Crapisto (Juventus), Mattia Liberali (Milan), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Leonardo Mendicino (Atalanta), Lorenzo Riccio (Atalanta), Marco Romano (Genoa);
Forwards: Federico Ragnoli Galli (Atalanta), Emanuele Rao (SPAL), Tommaso Ravaglioli (Bologna), Filippo Scotti (Milan).

Staff – Head Coach: Bernardo Corradi; Head Delegation: Filippo Corti; National Youth Team Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Assistant Coach: Massimiliano Favo; Fitness Coach: Adalberto Zamuner; Goalkeeping Coach: Davide Quironi; Match Analyst: Andrea Loiacono; Doctors: Alessio Rossato and Francesco Maria Nifosì; Press Officer: Giuseppe Ingrati; Nutritionist: Claudio Pecorella; Physiotherapists: Fabrizio Casati and Enrico Matera; Secretary: Massimo Petracchini; School Teacher: Stefano Presciutti.

Group 6 schedule: Italy, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Ukraine

Tuesday 7 March

ITALY vs. Republic of Ireland 15:00 local time (14:00 CET), Geroskipou Municipal Stadium – Paphos;

Cyprus vs. Ukraine, 17 local time (16:00 CET), Stelios Kyriakides Stadium - Paphos;

Friday 10 March

ITALY vs. Cyprus, 15:00 local time (14:00 CET), Stelios Kyriakides Stadium – Paphos;

Ukraine vs. Republic of Ireland, 15:00 local time (14:00 CET), Geroskipou Municipal Stadium – Paphos;

Monday 13 March

Ukraine vs. ITALY, 15:00 local time (14:00 CET), Geroskipou Municipal Stadium – Paphos;

Republic of Ireland vs. Cyprus, 15 local time (14:00 CET), Stelios Kyriakides Stadium - Paphos.

The Opposition

The Republic of Ireland finished their first phase of qualification in second place in Group 10, behind Norway, thanks to a win over Armenia (4 -0) and two draws: Belarus (2-2) and Norway (1-1). Previous meetings with Italy: four wins for the Azzurrini, three draws and two defeats.

Cyprus got through the first phase of qualification finishing second in Group 11 behind Serbia. It was a group with only three teams, with Cyprus doing enough by beating Gibraltar (2-0) and losing against Serbia (3-1). Previous meetings with Italy sees three wins for the Azzurrini and one draw.

Ukraine overcame the first phase of qualifying by finishing top of Group 2, thanks to two wins over Azerbaijan (5-2) and Liechtenstein (7-0), and a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina(1-1). Against Italy, the Ukrainians have lost four times, drawn once and won three.