U21: Italy v Luxembourg

12 December 2006: Italy U21 2-0 Luxembourg U21 (Vibo Valentia)
Arturo Lupoli and Gabriele Paonessa scored on their Italy Under-21 debuts as an experimental Azzurrini side defeated Luxembourg 2-0 in a friendly at the Stadio Luigi Razza in Vibo Valentia.

It took only 13 minutes for Derby County striker Lupoli to register his first goal for the U21s. The 19-year-old, who is on loan at Derby from Arsenal, received a pass just outside Luxembourg's penalty area and broke the deadlock with a powerful left-foot shot.

The visitors had the opportunity to equalise in the early stages of the second half when they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Marco Motta. However, Roma goalkeeper Gianluca Curci dived to his right to save Jerome Bigard's shot and spare Motta's blushes. Seven minutes from time Andrea Russotto split Luxembourg's defence with a fine pass into the path of second-half substitute Paonessa, of Vicenza, who made no mistake from close range.

The Azzurrini, five-time European champions, are preparing for the European Under 21's Championship Finals which begin on June 10, 2007 in the Netherlands.