The journey to Poland begins in Tirrenia. The Italy Under 19 Women`s National Team is set to start its preparation for the final phase of the European Championship with a training camp scheduled from Monday, May 26 to Saturday, May 31 at the Olympic Preparation Center. This stage will precede the announcement of the official list of the 20 players who will depart for Poland on Thursday, June 12, where the final phase of the European Championship will be held.
Coach Nicola Matteucci has called up 24 players for the camp, including 16 born in 2006 and 8 born in 2007. They will train in Tirrenia from Monday afternoon until Saturday morning. The debut of the Italy Under 19 Women`s National Team in the final phase is scheduled for Sunday, June 15 in Stalowa Wola against the host nation, whom Italy previously faced and defeated in Round 1. The second match will be on Wednesday, June 18 against Sweden, Italy`s last opponent in Round 2 played in Emilia-Romagna (which Italy topped, while Sweden qualified as the best second-placed team). The third group match is set for Saturday, June 21 in Rzeszów against France.
The semifinals will be played on Tuesday, June 24. This day also includes a potential playoff match reserved for the third-placed teams that offers a spot in the 2026 Under 20 World Cup, also organized by Poland. The final of the Under 19 European Championship is scheduled for Friday, June 27.
The Called-Up Squad
- Goalkeepers:
- Elena Belli (Cesena), Emma Mustafic (Juventus), Sabrina Nespolo (Sampdoria)
- Defenders:
- Carolina Bertora (Juventus), Martina Cocino (Juventus), Lidia Consolini (Inter), Valentina Donolato (Milan), Azzurra Gallo (Juventus), Emma Lombardi (Fiorentina), Elena Cristina Pizzuti (Roma), Martina Tosello (Juventus)
- Midfielders:
- Greta Bellagente (Juventus), Martina Cherubini (Roma), Maya Cherubini (Fiorentina), Jessica Ciano (Inter), Paola Fadda (Inter), Manuela Perselli (Sassuolo), Marta Zamboni (Juventus)
- Forwards:
- Eleonora Ferraresi (Juventus), Emma Girotto (Sassuolo), Giada Pellegrino Cimò (Sampdoria), Manuela Sciabica (Napoli Femminile), Carolina Tironi (Cesena), Rosanna Ventriglia (Roma)
Five Spots for the Under 20 World Cup
There are five spots available for European representatives in the Women`s Under 20 World Cup scheduled for September 2026 in Poland, in addition to the host nation. If Poland finishes among the top three in its group, the other five best teams from the European Championship will automatically qualify for the World Cup. Otherwise, a playoff match will be held between the two third-placed teams from their respective groups.
The Only Success in 2008
The Italy Under 19 Women`s National Team won the only European Championship in its history in 2008 in France, thanks to a penalty converted by Alice Parisi in the final against Norway (the final score was 1-0). Besides 2008, Italy has reached the semifinals of the competition twice: in 2011, when the tournament was held in Romagna, and in 1999, in the very first edition of the competition, although at that time the event was reserved for Under 18 National Teams (it has been reserved for Under 19 National Teams since 2002).
Final Phase Groups
- Group A: Poland, Sweden, France, Italy
- Group B: Portugal, Netherlands, England, Spain
Schedule
- Sunday, June 15, 6:00 PM:
- Poland vs. Italy (Stalowa Wola)
- Wednesday, June 18, 7:00 PM:
- Sweden vs. Italy (Stalowa Wola)
- Saturday, June 21, 4:00 PM:
- Italy vs. France (Rzeszów)
- Tuesday, June 24:
- Semifinals and potential playoff
- Friday, June 27:
- Final