Italy prepare defence of U19 EURO title in Northern Ireland

Italy will begin the defence of their Under-19 EURO title tomorrow in Northern Ireland, as they are in a group against Norway, Ukraine and the hosts.

The Azzurrini won the trophy a year ago in Malta after beating Portugal 1-0 in the Final.

It was the second time Italy have won the European Championship at this level, but also comes hot on the heels of victory in the European Under-17 tournament back in June.

Curiously, the beaten finalists were once again Portugal, this time with a more commanding 3-0 result sealed by a brace from Milan striker Francesco Camarda.

Some of those players have been promoted to the Under-19 level for this competition, which kicks off on Monday in Belfast, including Camarda.

The coach in charge of the squad is former Lazio, Chievo and Manchester City centre-forward Bernardo Corradi.

Italy open their account against Norway at Seaview in Belfast on Monday at 15.30 UK time, followed by the clash with Northern Ireland at Inver Park, Larne on Thursday July 18 at 19.00 UK time.

The final group match is with Ukraine against in Larne on Sunday July 21 at 20.00 UK time.

The Final is at the National Football Stadium in Windsor Park, Belfast, on Sunday July 28.

Italy Under-19 EURO squad

Goalkeepers: Federico Magro (Lazio), Renato Bellucci Marin (Roma);

Difensori: Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Fabio Cristian Chiarodia (Borussia Monchengladbach), Christian Corradi (Hellas Verona), Vittorio Magni (Milan), Filippo Calixte Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Filippo Pagnucco (Juventus);

Centrocampisti: Aaron Ciammaglichella (Torino), Luca Di Maggio (Inter), Jonas Harder (Fiorentina), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Marco Romano (Genoa), Kevin Zeroli (Milan);

Attaccanti: Lorenzo Anghelè (Juventus), Francesco Camarda (Milan), Tommaso Ebone (Bologna), Simone Pafundi (Losanna), Diego Sia (Milan).