Coach Sbardella knows this group of players very well, as he coached them as U17 coach, leading the team to the third place at the World Cup in Costa Rica. “We hope that this is only the beginning of a successful path which will see us secure the results we want, as has happened in the past,” commented Sbardella.
Italy’s head coach went on to say: “We couldn’t have got off to a better start than this. Moldova were dangerous only in the early stages of the match, they had a chance when the score was still 0-0, but our goalkeeper Durante saved well. We then began dictating our game and did it until the end. These three points are a boost to our confidence: Our aim is obviously to qualify for next stage and we want to do that by winning all the games.”
The Azzurrine will play their next game against Cyprus on Thursday, while the last game of this group stage will be held on Sunday 20th September against hosts Holland. Squad
 
Goalkeepers: Francesca Durante, Alessia Piazza (Rapid Lugano), Ilaria Toniolo;
Defenders: Lisa Boattin (Brescia Femminile), Sara Mella (Permac Vittorio Veneto), Nicole Peressotti, Elena Pisani, Alice Tortelli (Fiorentina Women’s FC), Marta Vergani (Real Meda);
Midfielders: Beatrice Abati (Femminile Inter Milano), Federica Cavicchia (Luzern), Marta Mascarello (Cuneo Calcio Femminile), Francesca Mellano (Musiello AC Saluzzo), Flaminia Simonetti (Res Roma);
Forwards: Valentina Bergamaschi (Rapid Lugano), Gloria Marinelli (Grifo Perugia), Martina Piemonte, Annamaria Serturini (Brescia Femminile), Valery Vigilucci (Fiorentina Women’s FC).
Staff: Head of delegation: Fiona May; Head coach: Enrico Maria Sbardella; Secretary: Sabrina Filacchione; Assistant manager: Elena Proserpio Marchetti; Goalkeeping coach: Claudio Del Ciello; Fitness coach: Simone Mangieri; Doctors: Priscilla Di Sette, Gabriele Bolle; Physiotherapist: Davide Baccoli; Warehouse worker: Angelo Lucantoni.   ]]>