“After succeeding in the great challenging of hosting both Champions League finals in 2016, the FIGC, Italian sport and the systems in the country have two big international challenges ahead of them,” said CEO Michele Uva. “They are the 2020 European Championship matches in Rome and the finals of the 2019 European Under-21 Championship. We’ll therefore have a chance to show off our capabilities. We are trustworthy because knowhow has grown from our young human resources and above all because we have support from the most important public and private organisations. They are the councils and clubs but also Enit, Enac, Federalberghi, Aica and the Politecnico di Milano. Now, it’s time for the nice part as we show that we deserve to be a reference point in international football and that this can be a motor of growth for the country.”
 
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The Groups for the finals of Poland 2017
 
Group A: Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, England
Group B: Portugal, Serbia, Spain, FYR Macedonia
Group C: Germany, Czech Republic, Denmark, ITALY
 
The Azzurrini’s fixtures
 
18th June: Denmark vs. ITALY
21st June: ITALY vs. Czech Republic
24th June: Germany vs. Italy  ]]>

The Italy National Under-21 Side will soon know who they will face in the group stage of the European Championship finals in Poland between 16th and 30th June. Tomorrow on 1st December, the draw will be made at the ICE Congress Centre in Krakow at 18:00 CEST. Italy are in Pot Three and will be represented at the draw by coach Luigi Di Biagio and the director for the national sides Giorgio Bottaro. The Azuzrrini will be drawn against one of Poland (hosts), Germany or Portugal (Pot One) and England, Spain or Denmark from Pot Two.  The third opponent will come from one of the other five sides in Pot Three (Sweden, Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia and FYR Macedonia). The three group winners and the best runner-up will progress to the semi-finals on 27th June. The final will be held on Krakow on 30th June. Italy hold the record in the European Under-21 Championship with five titles (1992, 1994, 1996, 2000 and 2004). The Azzurrini won their qualifying group ahead of Serbia with seven wins and three draws. Italy scored 17 and conceded just three.  Furthermore, UEFA published the all-time ‘Dream Team’ for the tournament ahead of the draw. Named in the ideal XI were the Italian legends Alessandro Nesta, Francesco Totti and Andrea Pirlo along with the current Azzurri defender Giorgio Chiellini. Germany has three representatives, Spain two, England one and Serbia one.  Pots
Host: Poland (To take Position One in Group A)
Pot 1: Germany, Portugal
Pot 2: England, Spain, Denmark
Pot 3: ITALY, Sweden, Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia, FYR Macedonia Schedule for the fixtures in Poland 2017 
Group A: 16th, 19th and 22th June
Group B: 17th, 20th and 23rd June
Group C: 18th, 21st, 24th June
Semi-finals: 27th June
Final: 30th June

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The pots for the draw
Hosts: Poland (position 1 in Group A)
Pot 1: Germany, Portugal
Pot 2: England, Spain, Denmark
Pot 3: Italy, Sweden (holders), Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia, FYR Macedonia
Match dates for the 2017 finals in Poland
Group A: 16, 19, 22 June
Group B: 17, 20, 23 June
Group C: 18, 21, 24 June
Semi-final 1 (Winner A v Runner-up B/C or Winner C): 27 June
Semi-final 2 (Winner B v Runner-up A or Winner C): 27 June
Final: 30 June
 
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Ricci drew applause from the crowd after instigating two well-worked phases of play, whilst Pellegrini also grasped more of a foothold in the game as the minutes passed. The 25th minute saw Garritano test Hojbjerg with a strong right-footed strike. Denmark’s only real chance came from a long-range effort from Nielsen, whilst the Azzurrini were still unable to break the deadlock during the opening 30 minutes. Conti maintained his lively presence down the right flank, who subsequently passed to Garritano who then played in a through ball to Grassi, however the player’s subsequent shot was unable to exploit Hojbjerg. The Danish goalkeeper also produced a decisive save in the 46th minute to keep out Petagna. Italy’s fortunes did not change following the interval, as the Atalanta attacker fired a wayward effort over the crossbar.
 
The crowd tried to rouse the Azzurrini and Garritano and Ricci always posed a threat to the opposition. Their decent link-up play was made clear as Garritano delivered an accurate cross for the Sassuolo man, whose header just went narrowly past the post. Di Biagio soon sent on Mazzitelli and Cristante to replace Pellegrini and Garritano, as the Italians continued to push back their Danish counterparts, who were forced to kick the ball long and lacked creativity. The visitors’ only real chance came halfway through the second half when Junker’s shot was blocked by Ferrari. Parigini replaced Grassi 15 minutes from the end, whilst Berraca came on in place of Masina. Italy maintained their efforts to score well into the dying stages and their final chance came to Ferrari, although his shot was intercepted by an opposition defender not far from the goal-line.
 
“We gave it our all,” said Andrea Petagna “I am sorry not to have the scored the two chances that fell to me, but sometimes that happens and it is not a problem. We are a good group and I think that we can do well at the European Championship.”Having become a starter for Gasperini’s Atalanta side, Petagna has been recently compared to another strong striker who matured as a footballer in Bergamo: “It is too early to make comparisons with Vieri,” he added. “I must first score goals just like he did in his career.” He also possesses the humility that is needed to become great. 
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