U-19: Euro hopes end for Azzurrini

Croatia 3-1 Italy (Katerini, Greece)
A Croatia comeback to beat Italy was not enough to take them or the Azzurrini to the finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championships in Austria.

At kick-off in Katerini, both these teams knew a win would seal qualification as long as home side Greece did not defeat Sweden in Litochoro. However, Greece duly triumphed 4-0, and it is they who will be going to the finals.

Italy looked usefully placed at half-time, as Fernando Forestieri had given them a 38th-minute lead and Greece were level at 0-0. But the hosts went ahead early in the second half and Croatia equalised on 69 minutes through Plumb Jusufi.Marin Ljubicic put Croatia in front ten minutes later and Vedran Turkalj sealed the win late on, but by then Greece were well ahead and Ivica Grnja's side were left to rue having only drawn their previous matches, though they did pip Italy to second place.

The two nations will be matched again in the 2007/08 qualifying round.