After the U17s, who celebrated qualification to the Euro finals thanks to a 2-2 draw in Finland, the U19s also booked their spot in the final tournament of the European Championship. Bernardo Corradi’s side only needed a draw but ended up qualifying in style: the Azzurrini ran out 5-0 winners over Georgia at the Stadio Teghil in Lignano Sabbiadoro thanks to goals from Pafundi, Palestra, Zeroli, Sia and Di Maggio, meaning they finished on maximum points in their Elite Round Group. Furthermore, the FIGC is now the only federation whose U17 and U19 sides have progressed to their respective final tournaments for five consecutive years.

“The U19s’ qualification immediately after that of the U17s confirms the high level of Italy’s youth teams,” said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. “We’re proud of the results we’re seeing at all levels because they’ve been achieved thanks to the quality that is emerging from club youth sectors. Above all, they testify to the great work being done by Club Italia, the technical staff and Youth Team Coordinator Maurizio Viscidi. In UEFA’s recent history, no Federation has had as many teams qualify for continental finals as the FIGC.”

Against the Georgians, the Azzurrini took the lead in the fourth minute through Pafundi, who sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot following a handball by Bukia. The second goal arrived on the 22-minute mark as Misitano laid the ball off to Palestra, who found the net with a fine curling first-time strike with his left foot from the edge of the box.

After Mane had hit the bar from a corner, Italy scored their third through Zeroli, who finished off Misitano’s pass following fine team move (32’). Before half-time, the Azzurrini struck the frame of the goal again as Kurtanidze diverted a low Palestra cross onto the post, while Ciammaglichella then fired narrowly over.

The Azzurrini netted their fourth with just over 20 minutes gone in the second half: not even 60 seconds after his introduction, Diego Sia expertly dribbled past the goalkeeper before adding the finish. Di Maggio then made it 5-0 ten minutes from time, after which Misitano had a penalty saved by Kurtanidze.

“I’m happy, especially for the lads, who have really grown since the first qualifying phase” said Head Coach Bernardo Corradi. “Together with the U17s’ success, this achievement is the result of the great work of our Federation, which is the only one to have seen its U17 and U19 sides progress to the final tournament of the European Championship for five consecutive years.”

The Euro finals will take place between 15 and 28 July in Northern Ireland, where Italy will be joined by Spain, France, Norway, Denmark, Türkiye, Ukraine and the hosts. The best five teams at the upcoming tournament will qualify for the U20 World Cup in Chile in 2025.

ITALY 5-0 GEORGIA

Italy: Bellucci Marin; Palestra (73' Di Maggio ©), Mane (73' Amey), Chiarodia, Bartesaghi; Ciammaglichella (79' Romano), Lipani © (79' Corradi C.), Mannini; Zeroli; Pafundi (67' Sia), Misitano. Substitutes: Magro (P), Anghelè, Pagnucco, Harder. Head Coach: Corradi B.

Georgia: Kurtanidze; Bukia, Narimanidze ©, Giunashvili (73' Sadgobelashvili); Tsetskhladze N., Berelidze (46' Sherozia), Tsetskhladze G., Lordikipanidze (68' Bubuteishvili), Chikovani; Basiladze (46' Pridonishvili), Samushia (46' Geguchadze). Substitutes: Kopaliani (P), Phagava, Mashava, Tkeshelashvili. Head Coach: Maisuradze.

Goals: 4' pen. Pafundi, 22' Palestra, 32' Zeroli, 67' Sia, 80' Di Maggio, 

Referee: Miloš Milanović (SRB); Assistants: Milan Pašajlić (SRB) and Luka Pajić (CRO); Fourth official: Patrik Kolarić (CRO).

Note:  Giunashvili (G), Pafundi (I), Romano (I), Geguchadze (G) and Narimanidze (G) booked. Penalty miss from Misitano (I) in the 87th minute.

Elite round: Group 5 results and standings

Matchday one (Wednesday 20 March)
Georgia 0-1 Czech Republic
Scotland 1-3 ITALY

Matchday two (Saturday 23 March)
Scotland 2-3 Georgia
Czech Republic 1-2 ITALY

Matchday three (Tuesday 26 March)
ITALY 5-0 Georgia
Czech Republic 2-0 Scotland

Standings: ITALY 9, Czech Republic 6, Georgia 3, Scotland 0.