The Italian Under 17 national team, coached by Massimiliano Favo and current European champions, have secured their place in the European Championship finals. This victory came after a 2-1 win against Croatia at the `Branko Čavlović-Čavlek` stadium in Karlovac, in their final match of Group 1 in the second round of the European qualification League A. Having already qualified for the World Cup yesterday, which will be held in Qatar from November 3rd to 27th, this latest success confirms their dominance.
Favo`s team opened the scoring in the 44th minute with a goal from Borussia Dortmund defender, Luca Reggiani. Croatia equalized in the 64th minute with a goal from Dinamo Zagreb midfielder, Jona Benkotić. The decisive goal for the Azzurrini came at the 89th minute from Juventus talent born in 2009, Destiny Onoguekhan Elimoghale. This qualification marks Italy`s seventh participation in the Under 17 World Cup (the last being in Brazil in 2019, under the current Under 21 national team coach, Carmine Nunziata).
Gabriele Gravina, the president, celebrated the Under 17`s achievement: `Great Italy! Extraordinary Azzurrini and well done to coach Favo, together they have accomplished a real feat. Qualifying for both the European Championship finals and the World Cup confirms us as one of the top youth movements in the most challenging and fascinating category. These boys are the present and the future of the Azzurri jersey.`