He has been on everyone's lips for some time now, since the day he became the youngest debutant ever in Serie A: Francesco Camarda is just 16 years old but has immediately generated media attention that is far from easy to manage. His talent (also touched upon by Viscidi following qualification to the Under-20 World Cup), though, does not seem to be affected by all those eyes on him. At the end of June he won the Under-17 European Championship, as well as being voted the best player of the competition. Corradi has taken him to Northern Ireland, and he is the only player born in 2008 present at the Under-19 Euros; not only that, but Camarda played his first match as a starter yesterday (replacing Ciammaglichella with 5 minutes left in the opening match against Norway) and it took him just 45 minutes to make his mark in the competition, scoring Italy's second goal to make it 2-0 in first-half added time, a beautiful cut inside from the left onto his right to fire in at the far post, becoming the youngest to score in the European Under-19 Championship, at just 16 years, four months and eight days old. The two previous records belonged to Liechtenstein's Martin Büchel (16 years, five months and one day, scoring in 2003 against Italy, who then won the tournament) and to Luka Jovic, who scored with Serbia at 16 years, six months and 29 days. As if that wasn't enough, he also grabbed a brace to make it 3-0 at the beginning of the second half in true old-school centre-forward play: he attacked the penalty area and hit a left-footed shot to beat the goalkeeper. Right and left foot, intensity in every phase of the game, Camarda seems to have the destiny of becoming a generational talent.

“This morning I woke up happy," Camarda said to Vivo Azzurro TV, the FIGC's OTT platform available on the App Store, Google Play and at the website http://www.vivoazzurrotv.it. "I was aware that I had given a good performance on a personal level, but the most important thing is it was a team performance, topped off by reaching the semi-final and qualifying for the World Cup". Camarda's year looked to have ended with the Under 17s winning the European Championship, but when the phone rang and Bernardo Corradi was speaking on the other end, a place on the plane for Northern Ireland became available for the AC Milan talent: "In Cyprus, it was a great, joyous feeling. When I received the call to join the Under-19 team in Bolzano, I felt all the joy in the world because I was to get the chance to play in another European Championship. I integrated into the group straight away; I also have an excellent relationship with Corradi. I hope that this family will get some real satisfaction."

Objectives that in the head of a 16-year-old boy are surprisingly very clear: “Mine, as is everyone's here, is to win the European Championship: we are a very good team. Personally, when I set goals, I do everything to achieve them." Just as the two goals were against Northern Ireland, his first as a starter: “Wearing the Italy shirt is always a great honour. At the beginning of my journey as a footballer I never thought I would get this far. Today, I am proud to be part of the National Team setup and I hope to stay in it for as long as possible. Yesterday's first goal was the result of a positive attitude, continuing the run and believing in that loose ball: the rest was just a consequence. The same thing goes for the goal that made it 3-0, which was the result of a great team effort, a great collective goal."

Talent can be seen throughout the group: “It is a very united squad; I noticed it immediately from the first week in Bolzano," he continued. "I was warmly welcomed and I believe that the group always comes first: only if there is a united locker room can we move forward and win trophies." Camarda speaks with the serenity of a veteran: “If I've managed to represent the national team it is thanks to the constant support I've had from my entire family: not only from my parents, but also from my grandparents, and my aunties and uncles. Without them, I wouldn't be here now." Over time, there has been another important person: "The first person I spoke to after the match was Coach Massimiliano Favo (the Under-17 national team coach). We joked a bit on the phone, I have a great relationship with him. He has always given me useful advice and supported me, so having this type of relationship is very important to me; it helps me a lot."

UEFA EURO UNDER-19

Group A: Northern Ireland (hosts), Norway, Italy (holders), Ukraine
Group B: Demark, Türkiye, France, Spain

MATCHDAY 1

Group A, Monday 15 July
Italy 2-1 Norway | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Northern Ireland 0-0 Ukraine | Inver Park, Larne

Group B, Tuesday 16 July
Denmark 1-2 Spain | Inver Park, Larne
France 2-1 Türkiye | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

MATCHDAY 2

Group A, Thursday 18 July
Norway 0-0 Ukraine | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Northern Ireland 0-3 Italy | Inver Park, Larne

Table after Matchday 2
Gruppo A: Italy 6, Ukraine 2, Northern Ireland and Norway 1

Group B, Friday 19 July
Denmark 2-4 France | Inver Park, Larne
Türkiye 1-1 Spain | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

MATCHDAY 3

Group A, Sunday 21 July
Norway vs. Northern Ireland, 20:00 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Ukraine vs. Italy, 20:00 CEST | Inver Park, Larne

Group B, Monday 22 July
Türkiye vs. Denmark, 20:00 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Spain vs. France, 20:00 CEST | Inver Park, Larne

WORLD CUP UNDER-20 PLAY OFF

Thursday 25 July
3rd in Group A vs. 3rd in Group B, 17:30 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

SEMI-FINALS*

Thursday 25 July

S1: Winner of Group A vs. 2nd in Group B
S2: Winner of Group B 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
S1 winner vs. S2 winner, 20:00 CEST | National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast