A header from the newly introduced Joksts left over 3000 fans in Crotone feeling frustrated. In their opening game in the Elite Round of European Under-19 Championship qualification, Italy were held to a draw by Latvia. Indeed, at the Stadio Ezio Scida, Jeff Ekhator’s first-half finish wasn’t enough for victory for Alberto Bollini’s side, who hit the post twice (through Leonardo Mendicino with the score at 0-0 and then through Niccolò Fortini immediately after Latvia’s equaliser) and earned 14 corners. From their only corner of the game, Latvia found an equaliser that makes life more difficult for Italy in their quest to qualify for the final tournament. The Azzurrini will return to action in Catanzaro on Saturday: the Azzurrini, who will be without the suspended Camarda, are scheduled to face reining European champions Spain, who beat France 2-1 in Cosenza in the other group match.

“I’d like to thank the fans here in Crotone; they were amazing,” said Bollini. “It’s a shame we couldn’t give them a victory after dominating a match where we were punished from a set-piece, which proved to be our opponents’ strength. Now, we’ll face the two finalists from the last European Championship - Spain and France - so we’ve got a real challenge on our hands. However, until the last minute of the last match, anything can happen. We’ll need to play with the same spirit and try to find the net instead of hitting the post.”

ITALY 1-1 LATVIA
ITALY (4-3-3): Martinelli; Magni, Plaia, Natali, Pagnucco (89’ Liberali); Venturino (72’ Coletta), Rispoli, Mendicino (72’ Fortini); Ekhator, Camarda, Fini (83’ De Pieri). Substitutes: Nunziante, Fellipe Jack, Leoni, Agbonifo. Head Coach: Bollini

LATVIA (3-5-2): Bite; Berzins, Purs, Molotkovs; Strods, Klavinskis (64’ Radzenieks), Jesse (83’ Joksts), Barkovskis (72’ Mickevics), Galajevs; Kukulis, Ivulans. Substitutes: Auseklis, Silins, Ohvovoriole, Baumanis, Rupeiks, Azarovs. Head Coach: Dobrecovs

Referee: Kuçuk (Türkiye). Assistants: Urun (Türkiye), Vassyutin (Kazakhstan). Fourth official: Sariyev (Kazakhstan)

Goals: 28’ Ehkator (I), 87’ Joksts (L)

Note: Berzins (L) sent off in the 96th minute for violent conduct. Camarda (I), Ekhator (I) and Jesse (L) booked.

UEFA EUROPEAN UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP - ELITE ROUND, GROUP 5

Matchday 1 (Wednesday 19 March)

Spain 2-1 France
ITALY 1-1 Latvia
Table: Spain 3, ITALY and Latvia 1, France 0

Matchday 2 (Saturday 22 March)

14:00 CET France vs. Latvia (Cosenza, Real Cosenza sports centre)
17:00 CET ITALY vs. Spain (Catanzaro, Stadio Nicola Ceravolo, live on Vivo Azzurro TV)

Matchday 3 (Tuesday 25 March)

15:00 CET France vs. ITALY (Catanzaro, Stadio Nicola Ceravolo, live on Vivo Azzurro TV)
15:00 CET Latvia vs. Spain (Cosenza, Real Cosenza sports centre)