Coached by Massimiliano Favo, the U17s (and reigning European champions) wrote another page in the history of Italian youth football, beating Croatia 2-1 at the Stadion Branko Čavlović-Čavlek in Karlovac in their final match in Group 1 of the second round of League A in Euro qualifying. It means that the Azzurrini have progressed to the European Championship finals scheduled between 19 May and 1 June in Albania following on from yesterday’s confirmation that they’ll compete in the World Cup in Qatar this year. A double qualification in less than 24 hours and a feat that highlights the strength of a brilliant group of players who are part of a youth setup that continues to produce talent and set the standard in Europe.

© figc.it

Against Croatia, Favo’s side opened the scoring in the 44th minute through Borussia Dortmund defender Luca Reggiani before being pegged back 19 minutes into the second half after a goal from Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Jona Benkotić. With time running out, Juventus youngster decided the contest with a powerful right-footed effort into the bottom corner (89’). 

The Azzurrini's qualification journey has truly been a triumphant march: Italy have won six out of six, a perfect record. Three of these victories came in Group 9 in the first round (between 5 and 11 November in San Marino), and three more arrived in Group 1 in the second round of League A (in Croatia). In the process, this great team have scored 21 and conceded just twice.

Italy have now progressed to the Euro finals at U17 level nine times in a row and om 13 occasions since 2002. The Azzurrini are also set to take part in the World Cup for the seventh time. They last did so six years ago, in Brazil, with the current Under-21 National Team Head Coach, Carmine Nunziata, in the dugout.

President Gabriele Gravina celebrated the U17s’ achievement with the following words: “Fantastic! Extraordinary from the Azzurrini and brilliant stuff from Coach Favo; together, a real feat has been achieved. The combination of the European Championship finals and World Cup confirms our status as one of the top performances in the most challenging and fascinating youth category. These boys are the present and future of the Italy shirt.”

© figc.it

Massimiliano Favo was also full of pride: “The lads have been incredible because they’ve won two matches in the last minute. It means that we’re a team full of character and which doesn’t give up. Now, the best challenge of all begins: the finals. The level will be high because just eight teams remain. I’m aware that, statistically, it’ll be difficult to repeat the feat we achieved last season, but we’ll give everything to make it happen.”

© figc.it

CROATIA 1-2 ITALY

CROATIA (4-2-3-1): Grahovac; Pajsar ©, Mijatović, Jakirović, Murica (46' Benkotić); Vojvodić (46' Radoš), Smiljanić; Kostelac, Horvat N. (67' Ivanda), Horvat P. (88' Radnić); Kusanović (83' Mišura). Substitutes: Nemet (P), Burcar, Jaman. Head Coach: Marijan Budimir.

ITALY (4-3-1-2): Longoni; Mambuku, Borasio, Reggiani ©, Giani (73' Iddrisa); Luongo, Baralla (87' Steffanoni), Comotto (73' Maccaroni); Inácio (87' Forte); Campaniello (60' Arena), Elimoghale. Substitutes: Maran (P), Prisco, Bovio, Ridolfi. Head Coach: Massimiliano Favo.

Referee: Mathieu Vernice (France). Assistants: Florian Goncalves De Araujo (France) and Manuel Undesser (Austria). Fourth official: Stefan Ebner (Austria).

Goalscorers: 44' Reggiani (I), 64' Benkotić (C), 89' Elimoghale (I).

Notes: Horvat N. (C), Horvat P. (C), Elimoghale (I), Murica (C), Comotto (I), Inácio (I), Jaman (C) and Smiljanić (C) booked. Stoppage time: 3', 4'.

UEFA European Under-17 Championship | League A | Group A1

Matchday 1 (Wednesday 19 March)
Ukraine 1-2 Croatia
Italy 1-0 Slovakia

Matchday 2 (Saturday 22 March)
Italy 2-1 Ukraine
Croatia 2-1 Slovakia

Matchday 3

Tuesday 25 March
Slovakia 0-1 Ukraine

Wednesday 26 March
Croatia 1-2 Italy

Table: ITALY 9, Croatia 6, Ukraine 3, Slovakia 0.