U21 Euro 2007: Rossi relishing Olympic opportunity

Despite Italy's elimination from the European Under-21 Championship, Giuseppe Rossi considers the opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Games as a "once in a lifetime" chance.

Although the Azzurrini managed a 3-1 win against the Czech Republic in their last Group B match, with Alberto Aquilani, Giorgio Chiellini and Rossi himself getting the goals, the Carlsberg Man of the Match believes his side are "just a bit unlucky" not to have earned more than a play-off against Portugal in Nijmegen on Thursday having finished third in the standings behind Serbia and England.

Despite his obvious disappointment at missing out on the semi-finals, however, the Manchester United forward recognises a significant prize is still on offer, saying: "The Olympics is a great tournament. It's a once in a lifetime chance."

Rossi, who scored nine goals in 17 Serie A games this season while on loan at Parma, finally opened his account for the Azzurrini in his ninth U21 international appearance, skipping away from Czech defender Roman Hubnik before unleashing a fierce low left-footed shot that went in off the far post.

"Today was a great performance by everybody - we didn't deserve to go out," added Rossi, who echoed his coach Pierluigi Casiraghi in pointing to short but decisive passages of play against Serbia and England that ultimately undid Italy's challenge. "In 270 minutes of football, we have played badly for ten minutes. When you make a mistake you get punished and at this level you can't make too many mistakes. That's how football is."

Rossi had largely been held in reserve by his coach in Italy's first two games, making a 16-minute cameo in the 1-0 opening loss to Serbia before coming on as a half-time substitute against England three days later.

However, in spite of an impressive display over 90 minutes at the Gelredome, his personal satisfaction is outweighed by collective disappointment. He said: "Of course it's a nice feeling but I would have preferred to go through instead of winning the Man of the Match award. But we will benefit from these three free days by having a rest and hopefully we'll go into the Portugal game fresh and trying to win."

The play-off game has been prompted by England's progress to the semi-finals. England are not permitted to play in the Olympics so the fourth and final European place at the tournament is to be decided by a play-off between the two sides who finished third in their respective groups.

[U21 Euro 2007 Championship Finals Schedule]