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| U-21: Casiraghi "wanted Spain" |
Wednesday 3 December, 2008 |
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Pierluigi Casiraghi isn't happy with the draw for the European Championships, as he would have preferred the tough tests of Spain and Germany.
Italy have been placed in Group A for the Under-21 tournament along with Belarus, Serbia and hosts Sweden.
This is seemingly an easier draw than Group B, which will see only two from Spain, Germany, England and Finland qualify.
“I would have preferred to meet Spain and Germany, seeing as we always seem to find it tough against sides like Serbia and Belarus, as we saw two years ago in Holland,” said the Coach.
The Azzurrini went out in the group phase of the 2006-07 tournament after a 1-0 defeat to Serbia, 2-2 draw with England and eventually futile 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic.
“I don't know why it is the case, but our style of play makes it very difficult to face these nations.”
Italy will open their campaign on June 16 against Serbia, then face hosts Sweden on June 19 before closing the group with Belarus on June 23.
All the Azzurrini's group games will be played in Helsingborg. Holland won the last two editions of the European Under-21 Championship, but have not qualified for the 2009 tournament in Sweden.
Fixtures
June 15
Spain-Germany
England-Finland
June 16
Sweden-Belarus
Italy-Serbia
June 18
Spain-England
Germany-Finland
June 19
Sweden-Italy
Belarus-Serbia
June 22
Finland-Spain
Germany-England
June 23
Serbia-Sweden
Belarus-Italy
June 26
Winner Group A - Runner-up Group B
Winner Group B - Runner-up Group A
June 29
Final
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U-21: Kind Euro draw for Azzurrini
Italy will face Sweden, Belarus and Serbia in the Under-21 European Championship in June 2009 after today's draw. More |
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