In the first two races of the Portugal-Albania 4-0 and France-Germany 3-0 tournament. Now it’s up to the Azzurri, on the pitch at 20.30 in Durazzo
The European under 17 in Albania, in which the Italy of Massimiliano Favo will try to defend the title won a year ago in Cyprus (but with a single veteran, the Empoli striker Thomas Campaniello) kicked off tonight in Albania. Compared to 2024, the formula has changed: no more 16 teams but only eight, all winners of the groups of the League A qualification except the Albanian hosts allowed by law. The average level has theoretically raised and the first two of each group go to the semifinal. Here is what happened in the first challenges of group A, pending the debut of the Azzurrini today in Durazzo (20.30, directed on Rai Play) against the Czech Republic, in the group which also includes England and Belgium.
Portugal and France ok
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In the opening race, the Portugal Vice Champion in charge free himself without the worries of Albania (led on the bench by Andrea Tedesco, a former coach of the spring of Napoli) who probably represents the weakest team of the lot. In Tirana ends 4-0, Captain Quintas takes 36 ‘to break the balance with a winning header on the assists of Mateus Mide, who then signs the doubling from the spot in the second half. The first hint of the hosts of the hosts arrives in the 72nd minute, but then Anisio and Tomàs Soares are rounding off, closing a game without history. It will be all very different, for the Portuguese, on Thursday when the primacy will go. In fact, France, already the protagonist of Elbasan of a result that leaves its mark: Germany beaten 3-0 in the first big match of the tournament, with a devastating approach of young bleus, will face France. The advantage arrives already in the first minute of the game thanks to Azizi, who steals the ball in his half field in Abraha and goes straight to the goal; The other attacker N’AngiSan (8 appearances among the greats in Ligue 1, with Saint Etienne) makes 2-0 already at 12 ‘on the imbeccade of Mbemba and sends the Germans out of his head, ten from half an hour for the red directed to Kaba after a foul deemed dangerous on Camara (to close the accounts, the trio of Batola at ’78).