Italy’s Under-17s will face Spain, Germany and Austria at the European Championship after being placed with the aforementioned sides in Group D in the draw held this evening at the splendid Dublin Arena. The competition is set to take place from 3 to 19 May in Ireland.

Sixteen teams have qualified for the final tournament, with the draw having divided them up into the following four groups: Group A: Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Czech Republic and Greece; Group B: Netherlands, France, England and Sweden; Group C: Iceland, Portugal, Hungary and Russia; Group D: Italy, Spain, Germany and Austria. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the quarter-finals (12-13 May), with the semi-finals then set to follow thereafter (16 May). On the same day as the last-four clashes, a play-off will be held between the two best losing quarter-finalists to decide who will be the fifth European team to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil in October. The European Championship final will be played on 19 May.

Carmine Nunziata, who coached Italy’s Under-17s to a runner-up spot in this competition last year in England, where the Azzurini were defeated in the final by the Netherlands on penalties, attended the draw. The new group of players he’s taken under his wing, all of whom were born in 2002, made light work of the two qualification phases: they won all their matches, scoring 22 goals and conceding just once in the process. “It’s a tough group made up of well-equipped teams,” the Coach said. “But just as we’re not too pleased with this draw, I think the others won’t be too happy either. It could have been better, but it’s difficult to avoid strong teams in the final phase of the European Championship. We’ll prepare in the best way possible so as to do as well as we can against the opponents in our group.”

Under-17 European Championship groups

Group A: Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece;

Group B: Netherlands, France, England, Sweden;

Group C: Iceland, Portugal, Hungary, Russia;

Group D: Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria.