Despite Alberto Bollini's Italy Under-19 side being knocked out at the group stage and then missing out on qualification for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan after losing the European play-off to Denmark (Denmark 0-0 Italy, 5-4 on penalties, 8 July), the Azzurrini can still take pride in a remarkable individual honour.

Andrea Natali is the only Italian included in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament, selected by the UEFA Technical Observers Group. The Bayer Leverkusen defender, born in 2008 and on loan at AZ Alkmaar last season, is the Azzurrini's only representative in the tournament's best XI following the competition held in Wales from 28 June to 11 July. Spain claimed their tenth Euros title by beating Germany 2-0 in the final at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham.

This recognition of Natali highlights the Italian centre-back’s quality. He is the son of former Fiorentina and Udinese defender Cesare Natali. A commanding presence at the heart of Italy's defence throughout the tournament, he made four appearances and played every minute of their campaign (390 minutes). Natali impressed UEFA's technical observers with his athleticism, recovery pace, and ability to win one-on-one duels. He also stood out in possession, showing composure when carrying the ball out from the back and accuracy in his distribution.

The Team of the Tournament reflects Spain's dominance, with six players included: Real Betis goalkeeper Manu González, who was also named Best Goalkeeper; Real Madrid defender Mario Rivas; Barcelona midfielders Quim Junyent, voted Player of the Tournament, and Xavi Espart; Real Madrid midfielder Thiago Pitarch; and Real Betis forward José Antonio Morante, who finished as the tournament's joint-top scorer alongside Hamburg striker Otto Stange, with both players scoring four goals.

The line-up is completed by Germany's Rafael Pinto Pedrosa, the Karlsruher right-back, and Ukraine duo Danylo Malov, the Olimpija Ljubljana left-back, and Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Pavlo Liusin, who was born in 2008.

UEFA European Under-19 Championship Wales 2026

Team of the Tournament (4-4-2): Manu González (Spain); Danylo Malov (Ukraine), Andrea Natali (Italy), Mario Rivas (Spain), Rafael Pinto Pedrosa (Germany); Pavlo Liusin (Ukraine), Quim Junyent (Spain), Xavi Espart (Spain), Thiago Pitarch (Spain); Otto Stange (Germany), José Antonio Morante (Spain).