Italy were forced to settle for a runners-up finish at the European Under-17 Championship after they lost 4-2 to Netherlands in Sunday’s Final.
The Azzurrini beat Spain, Germany and Austria in the group stage, before taking care of the Portuguese and a fancied French side in the knockout stages.
However, they found themselves three goals down in the first half of the Final, although a brace from Milan striker Lorenzo Colombo made the scoreline a bit more respectable in the second.
Italy were forced to settle for a runners-up finish at the European Under-17 Championship after they lost 4-2 to Netherlands in Sunday’s Final.
The Azzurrini beat Spain, Germany and Austria in the group stage, before taking care of the Portuguese and a fancied French side in the knockout stages.
However, they found themselves three goals down in the first half of the Final, although a brace from Milan striker Lorenzo Colombo made the scoreline a bit more respectable in the second.
This was a repeat of last year’s Final, only that time the Oranje won on penalties after the match ended 2-2.
It was also Italy's third such defeat in six years as they similarly lost a shootout to Russia in 2013.
Despite the result, the tournament will be deemed a success as Coach Carmine Nunziata led his boys to qualification for the U-17 World Cup, to be played in Brazil in October.
Image credit figc.it