Azzurri keep their nerve

Italy revamped
Having drawn 1-1 in their first meeting at Farum Park, the result was enough for the home side, who had the better of the play overall. With Cristian Zaccardo, Samuele Dalla Bona and Andrea Caracciolo injured, Italy coach Claudio Gentile replaced suspended Giampiero Pinzi with the more creative Gaetano D'Agostino on the left of midfield, while Giuseppe Sculli linked up with Alberto Gilardino in attack.

Lone striker
Denmark, meanwhile, were missing the injured Rasmus Würtz and the suspended Dan Thomasen. Despite having to score in order to reach the finals, Flemming Serritslev started with Tommy Bechmann as a lone striker with midfield player Thomas Kallenberg just behind the Esbjerg fB player.

Home chances
The visitors played well in the first half keeping most of the possession but Italy were more dangerous and created a number of chances by playing long balls behind the opposition defence for their quick attackers. After 13 minutes, Gilardino wasted a good opportunity, shooting too weakly from close range. Six minutes later, Sculli's volley from a good position was saved by Danish goalkeeper Stephan Andersen. Soon after, Sculli collected a pass from Gilardino, dribbled round Andersen but went too wide to find the net with his left-footed shot, while Paolo Cannavaro then had a header saved by the keeper.

Andersen saves
Italy started the second half in much more positive fashion and largely controlled the match. After 52 minutes Andersen was forced to produce a fine save to deny Gasbarroni but Italy's best chance was still to come. Matteo Brighi found Gilardino alone in front of goal on 69 minutes but Andersen superbly saved the AC Parma forward's shot.

Amelia denies Denmark
Seconds later Denmark had their best chance of the match but Dennis Soerensen's effort from inside the penalty box was saved by Italy goalkeeper Marco Amelia. It was the last opportunity for the visitors as the Azzurri easily controlled the match until the final whistle.