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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