A great, or more accurately, an excellent start to their campaign. In front of 3,000 spectators at the ‘Nicola Ceravolo’ stadium in Catanzaro, the Italy Under-19 team made a victorious debut in the Elite phase of European Championship qualifying. The Azzurrini defeated Hungary 3-0 thanks to the Inter striker Jamal Iddrissou’s brace (one goal per half) and a goal from Christian Comotto (Spezia). The victory allows Alberto Bollini’s side to lead Group 6 (on goal difference) alongside Turkey, who earlier in the day at Cosenza’s San Vito-Gigi Marulla stadium had beaten Slovakia 1-0. Italy will take on their next opponent, Slovakia, on Saturday at 17:00 CET in Cosenza, live on Vivo Azzurro TV. For the final match against Turkey on Tuesday, the 31st, Italy will return to Catanzaro, hoping to secure qualification for the final phase in Wales.

Coach Alberto Bollini commented, “We are very happy with this victory. It wasn’t an easy win against a strong opponent, both technically and physically. We stayed focused and well organised defensively, and even when we faced challenges, we managed to shut down their chances. That first goal was well-deserved, and the fact that it was scored at the end of the first half gave us a lot of confidence. It’s a great start to our campaign, but the groups are very balanced: anyone who reaches the Elite phase has been on an impressive journey. We should remind ourselves of what happened last year against Latvia: by working together as a team, we must do everything to earn our place in Wales. As for the senior national team, today I showed the boys two photos of Pisilli and Pio Esposito: two and a half years ago, they were in the Under-19 squad and won the European Championship, and they have had an incredible journey. We’re very proud to see them in the senior team, and we hope they can achieve the result we are all dreaming of.”

ITALY 3-0 HUNGARY (1-0 at HT)

ITALY (4-3-3): Pessina; Nardin, Reggiani, Natali, Cocchi; Liberali (Coletta 48’), Sala, Mantini (Comotto 60’); Idele, Iddrissou (Galvagno 48’), Mosconi (Marello 88’). Substitutes: Vannucchi, Leandri, Steffanoni, Verde. Coach: Bollini

HUNGARY (4-2-3-1): Bozo; Szakos, Pal, Vitalyos (Madarasz 83’), Tercza (Ghiani 60’); Somogyi, Decsy (Mondovics 68’); Bodnar (Szep 83’), Nemeth, Kugyela; Kovacs. Substitutes: Tompa, Bolgar, Hos, Egri, Mona. Coach: Kemenes

Referee: Dechepy (France).
Assistants: Le Tellier (France), Nogueira Dias (Portugal).
Fourth official: Correia (Portugal)

Goals: Iddrissou 44’ and 78’, Comotto 85’

Notes: Hungary coach Kemenes sent off at 40’.
Booked: Kovacs (Hungary), Sala (Italy), Idele (Italy), Pal (Hungary)

TICKETING
Entry to Italy’s three matches in Catanzaro (Wednesday 25 and Tuesday 31 March) and Cosenza (Saturday 28 March) is free, with a ticket downloadable from the portal ticketing.figc.it. Entry to matches at the ‘Real Cosenza’ sports centre will be free without a prior ticket.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Journalists, photographers, and operators wishing to cover the Elite phase of the UEFA Under-19 European qualifiers can request accreditation by sending an email with the subject ‘Under-19 National Team Media Accreditation’ to press@figc.it and m.calabresi@guest.figc.it by 18:00 CET the day before each match, or a single email covering all matches for which accreditation is requested.

PRESS CONFERENCE
After the debut at the ‘Ceravolo’, the Elite phase official presser will take place on Thursday, 26 March at 15:00 CET at the LND Calabria headquarters (Via Contessa Clemenza, 1) in Catanzaro. Attendees will include the mayors of Catanzaro (Nicola Fiorita) and Cosenza (Franz Caruso), LND Calabria President Saverio Mirarchi, Catanzaro General Manager Paolo Morganti, Cosenza Secretary General Francesco Xausa, and a delegation from the national team.

 

UEFA Under-19 Championship Wales 2026 | Elite Phase
Group 6: ITALY, Turkey, Slovakia, Hungary

Matchday 1 (Wednesday 25 March)

  • Slovakia 0-1 Turkey

  • ITALY 3-0 Hungary
    Standings: ITALY (GD +3) and Turkey (GD +1) 3 points, Slovakia and Hungary 0

Matchday 2 (Saturday 28 March)

  • 12:00 CET Turkey vs. Hungary (Real Cosenza Sports Centre, Cosenza)

  • 17:00 CET ITALY vs. Slovakia (San Vito-Gigi Marulla Stadium, Cosenza, live on Vivo Azzurro TV)

Matchday 3 (Tuesday 31 March)

  • 15:00 CET Turkey- vs. TALY (Nicola Ceravolo Stadium, Catanzaro, live on Vivo Azzurro TV)

  • 15:00 CET Hungary vs. Slovakia (Real Cosenza Sports Centre, Cosenza)