Italy Women U19's qualification for the next European Championship (to be held in Bosnia and Herzegovina from June 27 to July 10) faced a setback. After winning their opening match against Ukraine with a resounding 2-0 victory, Matteucci's side suffered a gruelling 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands at the Boras Arena in Sweden. After this result, the Oranje – beaten 2-1 by the Swedes in their opening match – move level with the Azzurrine in the standings, making a significant impact on their qualification hopes. Only the top team in the group will advance to Bosnia and Herzegovina, so Italy will now need to win their final match of the group (with a significant goal margin), which is scheduled for Friday 17 April at 18:00 CEST at the Boras Arena, against Sweden. Their hopes of going to the European Championship also depend on this afternoon's result, with the Swedes playing Ukraine.

MATTEUCCI. After the match, Matteucci commented: “The result is a hit. We could certainly have limited the goal difference, but in these situations you must also recognise the quality of the opposition. They approached the game better than us from the very first minute and were extremely clinical in front of goal. We lacked the ability to keep the match open.” The coach nevertheless praised his players’ attitude: “The positive aspect is that we never stopped believing. You have to remain as a team in difficult moments, and the girls showed that. It’s an important lesson they must take forward.” Looking ahead to the decisive match against Sweden, he added: “We will need to recover both physically and mentally while keeping our objective in mind. Beyond qualification, these matches are also about international experience. They are valuable opportunities to test ourselves against teams of such high level. This Round 2 group is of a similar quality to the final tournament itself, and that must motivate us to keep working.”

THE MATCH. Compared with the opening win against Ukraine, Matteucci made five changes to the starting XI. Giulia Bucci started in goal in place of Mazzocchi, while Martina Consolini and Alessia Bertola came into defence. In midfield, Esther Appiah and Sofia Giudici replaced Vitale and Bedini, while the attack remained unchanged with Asia Ventriglia alongside Giulia Galli.

Italy’s start, however, proved extremely difficult. The Netherlands took the lead through Ivens in the 10th minute, and just four minutes later Pennock doubled the advantage. The Azzurrine’s difficult first half continued as captain Van Dijk struck twice between the 21st and 33rd minutes to make it 4–0. Shortly before half time, Italy managed to pull one back before the break through Galli in the 42nd minute.

In the second half the team kept fighting despite the scoreline, with Matteucci introducing substitutes including Tosello, Ferraresi, Bedini and Vitale. However, midway through the half the Netherlands added a fifth goal through Gelevert, sealing the 5–1 result. Italy now turn their focus to the final group match against Sweden, where only a significant win will keep their hopes of reaching the European Championship alive.

ITALY 1-5 NETHERLANDS

Italy (4-4-2): Bucci; Consolini (58’ Ferraresi), Venturelli, Bertola, Lombardi (46’ Tosello); Giudici, Langella (66’ Bedini), Cherubini (66’ Vitale), Appiah; Ventriglia, Galli (78’ Zanoni). Substitutes: Mazzocchi, Bertora, Romanelli, Bonanomi. Coach: Matteucci

Netherlands (4-4-2): vand der Vliet; van der Linden, Weerelts, Wassink, Oudenampsen; Van Dijk (82’ Vinckers), Renfurm, Proost, Ivens (74’ Gelevert); Pennock (82’ Touzani), Derks (60’ Dap). Substitutes: Tissingh, Koopman, Thomassen, Altena. Coach: Van Lieshout

Goalscorers: 10’ Ivens (N), 14’ Pennock (N), 21’ and 33’ Van Dijk (N); 42’ Galli (I); 76’ Gelevert (N)

Referee: Miriama Bočková (Slovakia); Assistants: Ivana Lesková (Slovakia), Mekdelawit Nigussu Damtew (Sweden); Fourth Official: Amanda Nylund Karman (Sweden)

Booked: Consolini (I), Bertola (I)

UEFA Women's Under 19-Championship | Round 2

RESULTS, SCHEDULE AND STANDINGS OF GROUP A5

Matchday 1 (Saturday 11 April)
ITALY 2-0 Ukraine
Netherlands 1-2 Sweden

Matchday 2 (Tuesday 14 April)
13:00 CEST: ITALY 1-5 Netherlands
18:00 CEST: Sweden vs Ukraine (Boras)

Table: Sweden*, Netherlands and Italy 3, Ukraine 0*

*one match in hand

Matchday 3 (Friday 17 April)
18:00 CEST: Sweden vs ITALY (Boras)
18:00 CEST: Ukraine vs Netherlands (Goteborg)