The Under-17s have got off to an amazing start, who thrashed hosts Estonia 8-1 at the Rakvere Linnastaadion, for the debut game in Group 1, for the first round of the Euro qualifiers. The game was watched by the Italian ambassador to Tallinn, Stefano Catani, seated alongside the deputy coordinator of the Italian youth national teams, Daniele Zoratto.

The Azzurrini, with goals from eight different scorers, opened in the 9th minute with Diego Perillo, Empoli forward. They doubled their lead in the 13th with Giole Giammattei, Roma midfielder. Three minutes later, Thomas Corigliano of Juventus put them up 3-0, followed by Ludovico Varali of Parma in the 41st minute. Next was Giampaolo Bonifazi of Roma in the 47th, and Marcello Fugazzola of Atalanta in the 49th. Estonia pulled one back in the 64th minute through Kuressaare striker Anton Visse, before conceding the seventh goal to Francesco Gasparello of Atalanta in the 71st minute and the eighth to Jacopo Del Fabro of Juventus in the 81st.

Daniele Franceschini, tecnico della Nazionale Under 17
Daniele Franceschini, tecnico della Nazionale Under 17
Daniele Franceschini, tecnico della Nazionale Under 17

“When you are able to dominate the game like that everything becomes simple,” highlighted coach Daniele Franceschini. “Winning the first game is always important and honestly, I wasn’t expecting this kind of result. Debuts are always, and a result like this allows us to work with great peace of mind. Today, the difference was made by the approach and mindset the boys showed on the field.”

Italy returns on Saturday, October 4, 2025 (11:30 CEST, live of Vivo Azzurro TV) at the Kalevi Keskstaadion in Tallinn against the Montenegro U-17s. “We are taking it one match at a time,” added Franceschini. “We have 20 players, and we have to manage them carefully for these three games. The only criticism is that they could have avoided a few yellow cards, as in a mini tournament like this they can make a difference.

Daniele Zoratto, vice coordinatore delle Nazionali Giovanili, insieme a Stefano Catani, ambasciatore italiano a Tallinn
Daniele Zoratto, vice coordinatore delle Nazionali Giovanili, insieme a Stefano Catani, ambasciatore italiano a Tallinn
Daniele Zoratto, vice coordinatore delle Nazionali Giovanili, insieme a Stefano Catani, ambasciatore italiano a Tallinn

 

ITALIA 8 - 1 ESTONIA 

 

Italia (4-3-1-2): Mazzi; Bonifazi (65' Cioffi), Diallo, Varali, Del Fabro; Biondini © (46' Gasparello), Baffoh (74' Fabbri), Giammattei; Fugazzola (58' Landi); Corigliano (58' Guaglianone), Perillo.

Subs: Costoli (P), Donato, Gjeci, Della Rocca. Head Coach: Daniele Franceschini.

Estonia (4-1-4-1): Strelnikov; Kirsipuu, Sammul, Viiroja, Põder; Wagner (46' Slim); Kaalma (46' Korjus), Mihhalevski, Kaares © (90' Kranberg), Lorenz (58' Eensalu); Visse (79' Oja).

Subs: Ollin (P), Neltsas, Isok, Tomingas. Head Coach: Marko Pärnpuu.

Referee: Patryk Gryckiewicz (POL). Assistant Referees: Bartosz Kaszyński (POL) and Wade Smith (ENG). Fourth official: Sam Barrott (ENG).

Goalscorers: 9' Perillo (ITA), 13' Giammattei (ITA), 16' Corigliano (ITA), 41' Varali (ITA), 47' Bonifazi (ITA), 49' Fugazzola (ITA), 64' Visse (EST), 66' Gasparello (ITA), 81' Del Fabro (ITA).

Notes: bookings Biondini (ITA) 26’, Slim (EST) 50’, Baffoh (ITA) 51’, Lorenz (EST) 52’, Guaglianone (ITA) 60’. Added time 0’, 2’.

 

UEFA European Under-17 Championship Estonia 2026 | Round 1

Group 1: Estonia, ITALY, Montenegro, Ukraine

Matchday One (Wednesday October 1)

ITALY 8 – 1 Estonia
14.30 CEST: Montenegro vs. Ukraine, Kalevi Keskstaadion in Tallinn

Table: ITALY 3, Montenegro 0, Ukraine 0, Estonia 0.

Matchday Two (Saturday October 4)

11.30 CEST: ITALY vs. Montenegro, Kalevi Keskstaadion in Tallinn
14.30 CEST: Ukraine vs. Estonia, Rakvere Linnastaadion in Rakvere

Matchday Three (Tuesday October 7)

14.30 CEST: Ukraine vs. ITALY, Kalevi Keskstaadion in Tallinn
14.30 CEST: Estonia vs. Montenegro, Rakvere Linnastaadion in Rakvere