Portugal and Italy, the executioner of Spain, will meet this Sunday (9:00 pm/Teledeporte) in the final of the European Under-19 Championship that will take place. Ta’Qali National Stadium (Malta). Both the teams are looking to etch their names in the list of winners for the second time.
In fact the final is a rematch of the two in which Portugal and Italy achieved their titles. In 2003, the transalpines won 2-0 and the Portuguese got their revenge 15 years later, in 2018, with a thrilling 4-3 after extra time.
Although they have only won the Under-19 European Championship once, both teams are regular contenders for the title. Portugal reached its sixth final, of which four of the last five editions including the present one.
Meanwhile, it will be Italy’s fifth finalthird in the last six editions of the tournament, after Spain was eliminated in the semifinals (2-3).
Portugal will start today as favorites as they have won all four of their games, are the top scorers (14 goals) and the fewest losers (just twice) of the tournament.
Portugal beat an Italy with ten
In addition, Portugal defeated Italy by a resounding 5-1 in the group stage after a spectacular second half comeback. Although Luca Lipani opened the scoring for the ‘Azzurra’ in the 6th minute, but before the break he saw the red card (44′). Rodrigo Ribeiro tied (35′) and, with numerical superiority, Gustavo Sá (57′), Gabi Brás (68′), Hugo Félix (89′) and Joao Vasconcelos (91′) signed a convincing hand
Portugal, directed by Joaquim Milheiro, they started the European Championship by defeating Norway (0-2) and closed their group with a 2-1 loss to host Malta. In the semifinals, they defeated Norway (5-0) by a new exhibition of its captain and figure, Hugo Félix, brother of Joao Félix who stood out at Benfica, and Rodrigo Ribeiro (Sporting de Portugal). Both have three goals scored.
The executioner of Spain
For their part, Italy started by beating Malta (0-4) and, after losing to Portugal (5-1), finished second in the group thanks to their 1-1 draw against Norway.
In ‘semis’, the selection directed by Alberto Bollini he starred in a fast-paced game against a Spain that he always dominated on the scoreboard (2-3) with consecutive leads achieved by Samuele Vignato (52′), Niccolò Pisilli (66′) and Luca Lipani (85 ‘).
Koleosho (Spanish) refers to replacement
His goalscorers are Vignato (Monza) and Lipani (Genoa)with two each. Luca Koleosho, a winger for Espanyol, started the first two games but sat out the win against Portugal and went on to play as a substitute.
This will be second final to be played in Italy in just one month. On June 11, the Under-20s lost to Uruguay (1-0) in the World Cup in Argentina and now they are hoping for luck to smile on them.
Portugal-Italy
Ta’Qali National Stadium (9:00 pm)
Portugal: Goncalo Ribeiro; Esteves, Antonio Ribeiro, Brás, Marques; Justo, Da Rocha, Gustavo Sá; Hugo Felix, Rodrigo Ribeiro, Borges
Instructor: Joaquim Milheiro
Italy: Mastrantonio; Missori, Lorenzo Dellavalle, Alessandro Dellavalle, Regonesi; Pisilli, Faticanti, Ndour; Hasa, Esposito, Vignato
Instructor: Alberto Bollini
Referee: Sven Jablonski (Germany)
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
