Giovinco strikes to deny Dutch
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
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Netherlands B 1-1 Italy
The Azzurrini came from behind to draw their penultimate friendly before June's Under-21 final tournament, Sebastian Giovinco levelling in Kerkrade.
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Netherlands B 1-1 Italy
Italy came from behind to draw their penultimate friendly before June's UEFA European Under-21 Championship against a Netherlands B team in Kerkrade.
Tougher opponents
The Oranje B squad, re-formed after the defending champions failed to reach this summer's U21 finals in Sweden, were 4-0 winners against Germany on Friday but found the Azzurrini much tougher opponents at the Parkstad Limburg Stadion. Still, it was the home side who took the lead after 22 minutes, AFC Ajax midfield player Siem de Jong heading in a cross from Gianni Zuiverloon.
Santon debut
Italy coach Pierluigi Casiraghi gave 18-year-old Davide Santon his debut, but it was another FC Internazionale Milano player, Mario Balotelli, who played a part in the equaliser on the stroke of half-time. After the Dutch defence failed to clear a free-kick from the forward, Juventus midfielder Sebastian Giovinco fired a shot past goalkeeper Piet Veldhuizen from the edge of the area.
Denmark next
Both teams had chances to win the game in the second half, the best of them falling to Robert Acquafresca who shot wide after intercepting a back-pass from Peter Wisgerhof. Italy's final friendly is against Denmark away on 9 June, a week before they begin their finals campaign against Serbia.
