Italy end Under-17 EURO wait

Since winning the first UEFA European Under-16 Championship in 1982, Italy had never taken the junior male continental title – until 2024.

Since the U16 EURO was reclassified to U17 in 2001/02, Italy had reached three finals, in 2013, 2018 and 2019, but lost on each occasion. It was different this time in Cyprus, however, as the Azzurrini defeated Portugal 3-0 in the decider.

Cyprus were making their U17 EURO finals debut, after hosting the U16 EURO in 1992 and the U18 EURO in 1998. More than 5,000 fans saw their opening game with Czechia in Larnaca, and although the home nation did not secure a point in Group A, Petros Ioannou scored a memorable goal from halfway against Serbia.

Serbia were pipped to first place by Czechia in a thrilling group decider, both teams having beaten Cyprus and Ukraine. Austria topped Group B without conceding a goal, while Denmark finished runners-up ahead of Croatia and Wales despite losing 4-0 to Austria on Matchday 3.

Italy beat Poland, Slovakia and Sweden to top Group C, with Poland overcoming Slovakia 4-0 on Matchday 3 to clinch second. Spain suffered a very rare early exit in Group D, losing to Portugal, England and France, who were split by three-way head-to-head goal difference. Portugal crucially won 4-1 against England, who in turn defeated France 4-0 (Les Bleus' 2-1 victory over Portugal was in vain).

England dominated Italy in their quarter-final, but Mattia Liberali's superb solo equaliser and Alessandro Longoni's brilliant goalkeeping earned a 1-1 draw and shoot-out success. Denmark also went through on penalties against Czechia following Chido Obi's late equaliser, while Serbia defeated Austria 3-2 and Portugal beat Poland 2-1.

Serbia led Portugal 2-0 at half-time in the semi-finals, and no team had ever overturned a two-goal deficit in a U17 EURO knockout game. It was still 2-1 in the 89th minute, but Rodrigo Mora equalised (his fifth of the finals to end top scorer) before João Trovisco headed an added-time winner. No penalties were needed in the meeting of the quarter-final shoot-out winners, as Federico Coletta scored the only goal in Italy's triumph over Denmark.

Having found themselves 2-0 down in the semis, Portugal were caught out again in the Limassol decider as Coletta and Francesco Camarda struck in the opening 16 minutes. Camarda scored again early in the second half to confirm Italy's title and pick up the Player of the Tournament award.

This was the last 16-team U17 EURO final tournament, as a new format has been introduced for 2024/25. The finals will revert to eight teams, with qualifying now featuring two rounds. Round 2 is split into League A and League B, and will decide the European teams for the annual FIFA U-17 World Cups from 2025.