Elimoghale drags Italy U17: Azzurrini fly to the European
Thanks to the narrow victory over Croatia (2-1), Italy Under-17 detached the pass for qualification to the European Championship, scheduled from May 19 to June 1 in Albania, after having obtained the pass for the World Cup, which will be held in Qatar from November 3 to 27.
Deciding the challenge played at the ‘Branko Cavlovic-Cavlek’ in Karlovac was the goal at the last breath (89′) of Destiny Onoguekhan Elimoghale, a 2009 class talent from Juventus. The Azzurrini had taken the lead at the end of the first half through Luca Reggiani, before conceding the Croatians’ equalizer, signed midway through the second half by Jona Benkotic.
Italy thus confirmed its place among the best in its category, clinching its ninth consecutive qualification to the final stage of the European Championship, 13th overall since 2002. In addition, this is the seventh participation in the Under-17 World Cup (the last had been in 2019 in Brazil, when the current coach of the Under-21 national team, Carmine Nunziata, sat on the bench).
The Italian team will be among the best in its category.
“The boys were incredible, because they won two games at the’last minute – commented coach Massimiliano Favo -. It means that we are a team that has character and never gives up. Now, however, comes the best part: the final stage. The level will be high, because there are eight of us left. I am aware that it is statistically difficult to repeat last season’s feat, but we will try our best to make it happen”.
