U-17: Italy catch Czechs cold

Italy 2-1 Czech Republic (Montereale Valcellina)
Salvatore Caturano and Fernando Forestieri struck first-half goals to give Italy a winning start to their UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite round Group 2 fixtures against the Czech Republic.

Runners-up in Luxembourg last year, the Czechs fielded two of their squad from that season, goalkeeper Marek Stech and defender Miroslav Stepanek. But they were beaten seven minutes in by Caturano and highly-rated Genoa player Forestieri made it two from the penalty spot late in the first half.

Jan Lecjaks pulled one back four minutes after the break, but mini-tournament hosts Italy prevailed, having been inspired before the game by the appearances of Vincenzo Iaquinta, who showed off the FIFA World Cup to the 1,000 spectators.

The Azzurrini meet Slovakia on Monday with three points on the board, while the Czechs will look to hit form against Ukraine.