Splendid victory for the Italy Under-17 side who beat Slovakia 2-0 to mathematically secure a top-place finish in Group C, given the 2-2 draw between Sweden and Poland, and qualify for the Euros quarter-finals with a game to go. There, they will face the second-placed side from Group D that includes France, England, Portugal, and Spain). The Azzurrini, after going ahead with a textbook finish from Francesco Camarda in the 30th minute, doubled the lead through Mattia Liberali in the 38th minute, closing the qualification conversation within the first 45 minutes.

Coach Massimiliano Favo emphasised: “It was a difficult match, more than it may have seemed. This is a fantastic group with great character and scoring ability, they never cease to bring me joy. Today we were very solid in defence, giving little away, and we produced good play, especially in the second half: these lads deserve that top spot and to go through to the quarter-finals”.

THE GAME. Italy got off on the right foot and went close with Mantini shooting just wide and then in the 22nd minute when Garofalo moved slickly out of defence to pass the ball long for Mosconi, passing low to Camarda who took a clamorous shot that went over the bar. At the half-hour mark, Longoni blocked a low shot from Kováčik and the Azzurri number 9 decided to make up for his previous miss by unleashing a shot that left Zajac no chance.

Favo’s lads were fired up and doubled the lead only 8 minutes later: low cross from Cama, Mosconi to Liberali who beat the Slovakian defence to put a shot diagonally across the box and in. Just before the end of the half, Cama had a chance that went wide. The second half was much less lively than the first with only a header from Pira, going high, and a number of Azzurrini attempts in the final moments.

Joining Group A sides Czechia and Serbia in the quarter-finals, Italy will play again on Monday 27 May at 17:00 CEST at the Paralimni Municipal Stadium Tasos Markou in their final game in Group C, against Sweden.

ITALY 2-0 SLOVAKIA

Italy: Longoni; Emanuel (90' Ballo), Cama, Mantini (46' Sala), Garofalo, Coletta (87' Lontani), Di Nunzio, Camarda ©, Liberali (46' Orlandi), Mosconi © (79' Campaniello), Nardin. Unused subs: Pessina (P), Verde, Lauricella. Coach: Massimiliano Favo.

Slovakia: Zajac; Turanský, Balog, Daniel, Stručka ©, Bukovský (46' Lusale), Vlna © (84' Németh), Trello (58' Udvaros), Okál, Kováčik (66' Bačik), Pira (66' Valko). Unused subs: Kalanin (P), Hlavatý, Osman, Mišiak. Coach: Branislav Fodrek.

Goals: 30' Camarda, 38' Liberali.

Referee: Jan Petrik (CZE). Assistants: Marek Podany (CZE) and Martijn Tiesters (BEL). Fourth official: Jasper Vergoote (BEL).

Notes: booked Balog (S), Daniel (S), Coletta (I), Orlandi (I), Garofalo (I).

UEFA European Under-17 Championship

Group stage

Group A: Cyprus, Ukraine, Serbia, Czechia.
Group B: Denmark, Austria, Croatia, Wales.
Group C: ITALY, Sweden, Slovakia, Poland.
Group D: France, Portugal, Spain, England.

Group C schedule

Matchday 1 (Tuesday 21 May)

Slovakia 0-0 Sweden
ITALY 2-0 Poland

Matchday 2 (Thursday 24 May)

ITALY 2-0 Slovakia, Dasaki Achnas Stadium in Dasaki
Sweden 2-2 Poland, AEK Arena in Larnaca

Table: ITALY* 6 points, Sweden 2, Slovakia and Poland 1.

*mathematically guaranteed top-place finish and qualified for the quarter-finals.

Matchday 3 (Monday 27 May)

17:00 CEST: Sweden vs. ITALY, Paralimni Municipal Stadium Tasos Markou in Paralimni
17:00 CEST: Poland vs. Slovakia, Dasaki Achnas Stadium in Dasaki

Knockout phase

Quarter-finals (Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 May)

Semi-finals (Sunday 2 June)

Final (Wednesday 5 June)