Sensational. There is no better way to describe Daniele Franceschini’s Italy Under-17 side, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, with four wins and a draw. Today, in front of 7,027 spectators at the Lilleküla Stadium in Tallinn they defeated Belgium 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time to win the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Estonia.

This is the second European title in Azzurrini’s history, earned just two years after their first triumph in Cyprus in 2024, when they beat Portugal 3-0 in the final on 5 June.

After conceding a goal in the 85th-minute, scored by Anderlecht winger Noa Ojea, the Azzurrini equalised in the first minute of stoppage time through the Atalanta forward Marcello Fugazzola's penalty. The penalty was awarded following a handball by Genk defender Elie Mbavu.

When it came down to penalties, both sides were neck and neck throughout the opening three penalties, with Dierckx, Blondeel, and Verstrepen converting for Belgium, while Fugazzola, Casagrande, and Okon-Engstler responded for Italy. The turning point came when Belgium’s fourth penalty was denied by Lupo. However, Rocca did not manage to capitalise on the advantage and shot wide. After Moorthamer struck the crossbar, Perillo sealed the title for Italy with the decisive penalty.

At full-time, FIGC vice-president Umberto Calcagno, who watched the match from the stands alongside head of delegation Filippo Corti, coordinator of Italy’s men’s youth national teams Maurizio Viscidi and his deputy Daniele Zoratto, while also receiving congratulations from FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, shared his thoughts:

“I’m very happy for the boys. It’s a dream come true and the perfect ending to a beautiful journey they’ve been on with the staff and everyone around the team. More generally, being so successful at the youth level for so many years proves that we’ve created a positive environment within Club Italia, both on and off the pitch. We are building strong pathways for teams, but today more than ever, we have a great responsibility to help develop each player individually and make them even better than those who came before them.”

Daniele Franceschini matched his predecessor Massimiliano Favo, who now coaches Italy’s Under-18 side, by winning the European title in his first season in charge of the Under-17s. Franceschini added:

“I can’t begin to describe this feeling,” admitted the Italy coach. “The boys were exceptional, giving everything they got, because finals don’t come down to tactics and technique alone, but by courage. They always believed, even when we went behind with only a few minutes left. Since the beginning of this journey, I’ve always asked the players to stay measured and maintain their identity by continuing to play the game our way. We did well not to lose heart or concentration, and we’ve given ourselves an incredible triumph.”

This trophy is the product of a long and far-from-simple journey. 243 days ago, also in Estonia, specifically at the Kalevi Central Stadium in Tallinn, venue for Italy’s three Group B matches in this final tournament, the Azzurrini were on the verge of elimination. With five minutes left in their third Group 1 qualifier against Ukraine and the score at 1-1, Franceschini’s side were virtually heading for relegation to League B.

Then came Diego Perillo’s winning goal to make it 2-1, securing qualification for League A of the second qualifying round, held in Umbria from 25 to 31 March and dominated by Italy with maximum points in Group A2. That campaign also featured a great comeback from being 2-0 down to beat defending champions Portugal 3-2 in their opening match. Key moments that paved the way for tonight’s historic triumph.

MATCH REPORT
Italy lined up in their usual 4-3-1-2 system, making two changes from the side that defeated Spain 5-3 on penalties in Thursday’s semi-final. Diallo, after making his debut against France on 26 May, returned to the starting XI in place of Donato alongside his Parma teammate Varali in central defence, while 2010-born Dattilo replaced Albini at left-back.

Belgium responded with a 4-2-3-1, the same formation they used in their 2-1 semi-final win over France, keeping the same starting XI from three days earlier, with Onia Seke, Driessen, and Nga Kana supporting lone striker Benktib.

Belgium kicked off with plenty of momentum, driven by the pace and energy of Onia Seke, who tested Lupo early on with right-footed efforts in the 8th and 16th minutes. Italy responded a minute later through Dattilo, but his dangerous effort was kept out by Seghers. Around the half-hour mark, Croci also threatened with a right-footed strike from 20 metres, tipped behind for a corner by the Belgian goalkeeper.

Belgium came close again in the 39th minute when Benktib, who found Nga Kana’s cross, sent his effort narrowly wide of the left post. The teams went into the break level at 0-0.

The second half opened with another Belgium opportunity as Driessen fired over from distance in the 48th minute. Italy responded immediately through Bonifazi, whose low left-footed effort was saved by Seghers. Mbavu then tried his luck with a bicycle kick in the 57th minute, sending it over the bar from an Onia Seke cross.

After an excellent save by Lupo from Dierckx in the 65th minute, Belgium caught the Azzurrini by surprise by taking the lead in the 85th minute. Ojea, who had been substituted on, burst down the right and finished with his left foot past Lupo.

But just when the trophy seemed destined for Brussels, Franceschini’s side won a penalty after Mbavu touched the ball with his hand in the box. Fugazzola stepped up in stoppage time and calmly converted with his left foot to make it 1-1 at 90’+1, forcing the match to penalties.

The shootout was dramatic from start to finish: level through the first three rounds, before Lupo denied Ojea, Rocca missed for Italy, Moorthamer hit the crossbar, and finally Perillo converted the winning penalty to hand the title to the Azzurrini.

BELGIUM-ITALY 1-1, 4-5 ON PENALTIES

Belgium (4-2-3-1): Seghers; Moorthamer, Mbavu ©, Blondeel, El Morabet; van Gelder (Kalonji 83’), Dierckx; Onia Seke (Achahbar 83’), Driessen (Ojea 71’), Nga Kana (Verstrepen 90’+2); Benktib (Onehese 83’).
Substitutes: Piselé (GK), Saidi, Garcia Belkacem, Strouwen.
Head coach: Sven Vermant.

Italy (4-3-1-2): Lupo; Bonifazi, Diallo, Varali, Dattilo (Rocca 87’); Gasparello (Ballarin 58’), Okon-Engstler, Biondini © (Fugazzola 87’); Corigliano (Landi 67’); Perillo, Croci (Casagrande 58’).
Substitutes: Giaretta (GK), Albini, Donato, Puricelli.
Head coach: Daniele Franceschini.

Referee: Florian Lata (Albania).
Assistant referees: Mario Shazivari (Albania) and Nikola Borović (Serbia).
Fourth official: Tom Owen (Wales).

Goals: Ojea 85’ (BEL), Fugazzola pen. 90’+1 (ITA).

Penalty shootout: Dierckx (BEL) scored, Fugazzola (ITA) scored, Blondeel (BEL) scored, Casagrande (ITA) scored, Verstrepen (BEL) scored, Okon-Engstler (ITA) scored, Ojea (BEL) saved, Rocca (ITA) missed, Moorthamer (BEL) hit the crossbar, Perillo (ITA) scored.

 

Notes: Booked: Biondini 46’, Ballarin 61’, Casagrande 74’, Driessen 85’, Ojea 86’, Moorthamer 89’, Fugazzola 90’+1, Rocca 90’+6.
Stoppage time: 0’, 5’.

 

 

 

UEFA European Under-17 Championship Estonia 2026 | Final Tournament

Group Stage (25 May – 1 June)

Group A: Estonia, Belgium, Croatia, Spain
Group B: Montenegro, France, ITALY, Denmark

Matchday 1

Monday 25 May
Croatia 0-2 Belgium
Estonia 1-4 Spain 

Tuesday 26 May
ITALY 1-0 France
Montenegro 1-2 Denmark

Matchday 2

Thursday 28 May
Belgium 0-1 Spain
Estonia 1-3 Croatia

Friday 29 May
Montenegro 0-3 ITALY 
France 4-0 Denmark 4-0

Matchday 3

Sunday 31 May
Belgium 1-0 Estonia
Spain 2-3 Croatia

Monday 1 June
France 5-0 Montenegro
Denmark 3-3 ITALY

Group A standings: Belgium 6 (+1), Spain 6 (0), Croatia 6 (-1), Estonia 0.
Group B standings: ITALY 7, France 6, Denmark 4, Montenegro 0.

*Qualified for the semi-finals thanks to a superior goal difference in the mini-table.

Knockout Stage (4–7 June)

Semi-finals (Thursday 4 June)

Belgium 2-1 France 
ITALY 1- 1 Spain, Italy won 5-3 on penalties

Final (Sunday 7 June)

Belgium 1-1 ITALY, Italy won 5-4 on penalties

Roll of Honour

2002 – Switzerland
2003 – Portugal
2004 – France
2005 – Turkey
2006 – Russia
2007 – Spain
2008 – Spain
2009 – Germany
2010 – England
2011 – Netherlands
2012 – Netherlands
2013 – Russia
2014 – England
2015 – France
2016 – Portugal
2017 – Spain
2018 – Netherlands
2019 – Netherlands
2020 – not held
2021 – not held
2022 – France
2023 – Germany
2024 – ITALY
2025 – Portugal
2026 – ITALY