At the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, Italy’s dream of European Championship glory came to an end as the Netherlands claimed their fourth title. Despite showing great character and pride in the second half, Nunziata’s side paid the price for a first half dominated by the Oranje as perhaps a bit of tiredness set in. In spite of the defeat, the Azzurrini can go away with their heads held high after finishing runners-up for the second year running.

Last year in England, Italy just missed out on getting their hands on the prize as the Dutch equalised eight minutes from time through Brian Brobbey (2-2) to take the game to penalties. This time round, Nunziata’s team qualified for the final after beating sides with a long tradition in international youth football: the Azzurrini emerged victorious against Germany (3-1), Spain (4-1), Portugal (1-0) and France (2-1). The match against the Netherlands was always going to be a historic showdown for Italy, who were looking to win the trophy for the first time since 1982.

As for the Netherlands, they came into the match having won the European Championship three times in their history. During this year’s group stage, Peter Van Der Veen’s side beat Sweden 2-0 and England 5-2 before losing to France 2-0, thus coming second behind Les Bleus. They then comfortably defeated Belgium 3-0 at the quarter-final stage before winning 1-0 against Spain in their semi-final showdown.

For the final, Nunziata stuck with the same side that had got the better of France, with Tongya playing just behind the strikers Cudrig and Esposito. A midfield trio consisting of Udogie, who scored the winner in the semi-final, captain Panada and Brentan lined up in front of a back four made up of Moretti, Dalle Mura, Pirola and Lamanna. Molla took up his position in goal.

The two teams looked to play an open game right from the off. As the minutes passed, however, the Oranje increased the intensity of their pressing and took control of the ball in midfield. The Netherlands’ passing game was causing the Azzurrini problems, and the Dutch eventually took the lead in the 20th minute as Hansen was left with an easy tap-in after Molla had managed to keep out Brobbey’s effort. Italy were behind. With the wind in their sails, Van Der Veen’s charges came close to doubling their lead six minutes later through Brobbey, whose shot across goal just missed the target. Despite the Netherlands’ excellent performance up to that point, Nunziata’s team came close to equalising in the 31st minute as Lamanna picked out Cudrig, but the latter’s back heel was saved by Raatsie.

Just as it seemed that the Azzurrini had found that spark, they fell two behind: the Netherlands won a free kick on the edge of the box following a mistake at the back, with Bannis eventually turning the ball home on the rebound after Hoever had stepped up and hit the post. And things only got worse on the stroke of half-time as Maatsen’s fantastic left-footed strike from outside the area caught the Azzurrini’s goalkeeper by surprise and flew into the back of the net to make it 3-0.

Nunziata rang the changes at the break with Italy facing an almost impossible task in the second half: Moretti, Brentan and Cudrig were replaced by Ruggeri, Sekulov and Colombo. These substitutions had the desired effect: in the 55th minute, the Azzurini scored through a stunning strike from Milan’s striker Colombo to reduce the arrears. A different Italy side were now on the pitch. With 64 minutes on the clock, Panada threaded the ball through to Colombo, who was denied by a vital stop from Raatsie. The Azzurini’s number nine was certainly making an impact.

With Italy well on top, the Netherlands struck a decisive blow: substitute Unuvar made space for himself in the box before seeing his effort take a deflection off Lamanna and end up in the back of the net. Hard luck for the Azzurrini, who deserved more for their second-half performance. With 20 minutes to go, they found themselves 4-1 down.

In the closing stages, Molla was on hand to deny Maatsen with a superb stop before Colombo deservedly grabbed his second of the game through a powerful strike that soared past Raatsie to make it 4-2. This was how the score remained. The Dutch were thus able to celebrate for the second year in succession, but the Azzurrini’s run to the final is testament to how much the Under-17 National Team has grown.

This is what the Head Coach had to say after the match: “The Netherlands were superior in the first half, but the lads showed the resolve to react at the start of the second half despite being three goals down: they scored once and came close a number of times to pulling another one back. Displaying this character has allowed them to reach this stage, beat leading teams and qualify for the World Cup. They are a magnificent group and I’ll never stop thanking all of them for what they’ve done.”

At the end of the match, the FIGC’s President Gabriele Gravina also praised the players: “It was a great European Championship for us. The players, Head Coach Nunziata and all the staff need to be congratulated,” he said. “The development of this group and the excellent work being carried out in all our youth sides won’t stop following a defeat in the final against the Netherlands.”

Marco Brunelli, the FIGC’s Director General, travelled to Dublin to support the team. He also congratulated the Head Coach and the whole team on their excellent performance at this European Championship.

NETHERLANDS 4-2 ITALY

Goalscorers: 20’ Hansen, 37’ Bannis, 45’ Maatsen, 55’ Colombo, 70’ Unuvar, 89’ Colombo

NETHERLANDS (4-3-3) Raatsie; Hoever (92’ de Schutter), Bogarde, Rensch, Salah-Eddine (69’ Kasanwirjo); Taylor, Taabouni (87’ Proper), Maatsen; Hansen (69’ Unuvar), Bannis (93’ Allouch), Brobbey.

Subs: Troost, Allouch, van deer Sloot, Sankoh, Van Ottele.

Head Coach: Van Der Veen.

ITALY (4-3-1-2): Molla; Lamanna, Dalle Mura, Pirola, Moretti (46’ Ruggeri); Brentan (47’ Sekulov), Panada (93’ Bonfanti), Udogie; Tongya (83’ Giovane) Cudrig (46’ Colombo), Esposito.

Subs: Gasparini, Squizzato, Riccio, Arlotti.

Head Coach: C. Nunziata

Referee: Espen Eskås (NOR), Assistants: Riku Vihreävuori (FIN), Raimonds Tatriks (LVA)

Fourth official: Farrugia Cann Trustin (MLT)

Bookings: 42’ Cudrig, 43’ Panada, 56’ Dalle Mura, 79’ Raatsie, 90’ Hoever, 94’ Unuvar