1992 U21 tournament star: Renato Buso

A prodigious talent, Renato Buso had already won the Scudetto and an Italian Super Cup when Italy lifted the 1992 UEFA European Under-21 Championship trophy. Having scored a crucial equaliser against a powerful Soviet Union side to help the Azzurrini through their group, Buso came to the fore in the knockout rounds.

Treviso-born Buso was touted for greatness from the moment Juventus signed him as a 15-year-old from hometown club Montebelluna Calcio in 1985. He played his part as the Bianconeri claimed the Serie A title in his first full season, then had a spell at Fiorentina before linking up with Sampdoria. By the time he moved to Sampdoria he was already catching the eye with the U21s. He hit the only goal of their Group 3 qualifier against Hungary, and struck again versus the Soviet Union in Simferopol, cancelling out Viktor Shustikov's opener.

In a team featuring a maturing Demetrio Albertini, Alessandro Melli had shone brightest in the qualification campaign, but when the Parma man was sent off after scoring twice against Czechoslovakia in the quarter-finals, Buso stepped up. He struck in each leg of Italy's semi-final success over Denmark, before breaking the deadlock in the 2-0 first-leg win against Sweden which paved the way for a 2-1 aggregate triumph in the final. Italy's maiden title at this level would, however, be the last of Buso's career.