The celebratory hugs after scoring may be virtual, but the satisfaction at having achieved a set objective is very much real. The eNazionale TIMVISION PES managed to win their qualifying group to advance to the final phase of UEFA eEURO 2020, the first virtual European Championship that will be played on Pro Evolution Soccer. 

The Italian team, composed of Rosario ‘Npk_02’ Accurso, Nicola ‘nicaldan’ Lillo, Carmine ‘Naples17x’ Liuzzi and Alfonso ‘AlonsoGrayfox’ Mereu, have thus achieved the first important feat in the team’s young history. And they did so after consolidating their first-place position in the return round of fixtures after taking control of their group during the first set of matches on 16 March.

The games played on 30 March were broadcast live on TIMVISION. Italy beat Ukraine (4-2), the Faroe Islands (8-1), Wales (6-0) and Andorra (6-1), meaning their defeat to Montenegro (1-3) ultimately didn’t matter. Montenegro, who finished just two points behind Italy, proved to be tough opponents, with the Azzurri unable to win either of their matches against them (the first game between the sides finished 1-1). While the Montenegrins will compete in the qualifying playoffs, Italy have already secured their spot at the European Championship and will be hoping that a successful tournament lies ahead.

Group H results and table

First round of fixtures (16 March)

Ukraine 0-8 ITALY
ITALY 1-1 Montenegro
Faroe Islands 4-10 ITALY
Wales 0-6 ITALY
Andorra 1-7 ITALY

Second round of fixtures (30 March)

ITALY 4-2 Ukraine
Montenegro 3-1 ITALY
ITALY 8-1 Faroe Islands
ITALY 6-0 Wales
ITALY 6-1 Andorra

Table: ITALY 25 points, Montenegro 23, Ukraine 22, Faroe Islands 12, Andorra 6, Wales 0