The Under 19s hoping to replicate the Under 17s' success in the Euros
The Azzurrini open up against Norway on 15 July, in a group that also includes the hosts, Northern Ireland, and Ukraine. Meanwhile, in Tirrenia the Under 19s played a in-house friendly with the Under 20sThursday, June 6, 2024
Italy Under 17s' triumph in Limassol was a historic first. And from yesterday evening, and for about a month longer, the Azzurrini will be holders of both European titles, won within less than a year of each other. On one side is the memory of the success of Bollini's Under 19 boys in July 2023, who will still be reigning European champions for another 30 days, on the other is Favo's lads who brought joy to every Azzurri fan last night. The echo of the triumph of July 2023 is still very fresh in the memory: the victory obtained in Malta was incredible and that title will be put back into play starting from 15 July in Northern Ireland. Now, under the leadership of Bernardo Corradi, the new group of Lipani, Bartesaghi and Pafundi will try to obtain a historic double: never before has the National Under-19 team managed to win two consecutive editions of the European Championship, a milestone in history achieved only by Spain on two occasions, 2006/2007 and 2011/2012.
IN-HOUSE FRIENDLY. An objective that at this moment is still a dream, but which is starting to take shape in the hearts and thoughts of Corradi's players. The push comes 'from below', from the younger ones, that Under 17s group who, in an incredible way, led by a superb Camarda display, voted as the best player of the competition in Cyprus, climbed up to the top of Europe last night with a 100% record. Having dispelled the taboo of winning a European Championship that had always eluded the Under 17s (a first win after the finals lost in 2013, 2018 and 2019), then why not try to get another one? As mentioned, Italy Under 19 have never won two consecutive European Championships and the victory in Limassol should be used as further fuel to the Azzurrini's hopes and hunger. Corradi knows this well, as he saw his boys play in an in-house friendly against Bollini's Under 20 team this morning in Tirrenia, a match that saw Lipani and his teammates run out 4-0 winners. The Under 19s took the lead in the 4th minute with a goal from Hellas Verona's Alphadjo Cissé, and then doubled their lead with a penalty from Bologna's Tommaso Ebone in the 17th minute. In the second half, it was AC Milan's Diego Sia who scored a personal double (59' and 69') to seal a comfortable win.
2025 EUROS AND WORLD CUP. The Azzurrini, who qualified for the finals for the fifth consecutive time - their tenth in 20 editions (18th out of 38 also considering the previous U18 format) - after finishing second in the qualifying stages behind Switzerland (ahead of Sweden and Liechtenstein) and having instead won the Elite phase with a 100% record thanks to wins over Czechia, Georgia and Scotland, will therefore enter the competition with the weight and responsibility of being the reigning champions, defending the title won last year in Malta. Placed into Group A with the hosts, Northern Ireland, Ukraine and Norway, they will make their debut against the latter on Monday 15 July at 16:30 CEST at the Seaview Stadium in Belfast. The second match, scheduled for Thursday 18, will pit Italy against Northern Ireland (at Inver Park in Larne at 20:00 CEST), before ending, again in Larne (20:00 CEST) on Sunday 21 against Ukraine. The top two from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for Thursday 25 July, and also receive a passage through to the 2025 Under 20 World Cup in Chile. The two best third-placed teams, however, will face each other in a play-off match, on Thursday 25, to determine the fifth European team that will qualify for the tournament in Chile. The final at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast (both semi-finals will be played there) will take place on Sunday 28 at 20:00 CEST.
UEFA UNDER-19 EUROS
Group A: Northern Ireland (hosts), Norway, Italy (holders), Ukraine
Group B: Denmark, Türkiye, France, Spain
MATCHDAY 1
Group A, Monday 15 July
Italy vs. Norway, 16:30 | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Northern Ireland vs. Ukraine, 20:00 | Inver Park, Larne
Group B, Tuesday 16 July
Denmark vs. Spain, 16:30 | Inver Park, Larne
France vs Türkiye, 20:00 | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
MATCHDAY 2
Group A, Thursday 18 July
Norway vs. Ukraine, 16:30 | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Northern Ireland vs. Italy, 20:00 | Inver Park, Larne
Group B, Friday 19 July
Denmark vs. France, 16:30 | Inver Park, Larne
Türkiye vs. Spain, 20:00 | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
MATCHDAY 3
Group A, Sunday 21 July
Norway vs. Northern Ireland, 20:00 | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Ukraine vs. Italy, 20:00 | Inver Park, Larne
Group B, Monday 22 July
Türkiye vs. Denmark, 20:00 | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Spain vs. France, 20:00 | Inver Park, Larne
UNDER-20 WORLD CUP PLAY-OFF
Thursday 25 July
3rd in Group A vs. 3rd in Group B, 17:30 | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
SEMIFINALS*
Thursday 25 July
S1: Winner of Group B vs. 2nd in Group B
S2: Winner of Group A vs. 2nd in Group A
*The matches will be played at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast at 15:00 and 20:00 CEST. The order of the semi-finals will be decided after the group stage.
FINAL
Sunday 28 July
Winner of S1vs. Winner of S2, 20:00 | National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast
