Third and final act of the group which ended with a spectacular 3-3. Franceschini’s boys will now challenge their Iberian peers to reach the final of the European category
“Let’s not do calculations,” Daniele Franceschini had said the day before. And his team followed him to the letter, playing a lively and more relaxed match against Denmark than the previous ones (Lupo came from having conceded zero goals in 180 minutes, against France and Montenegro). The third act of the group in Tallinn ends 3-3, a result that eliminates the Scandinavians and at the same time qualifies for access to the semi-finals with first place. That’s good. The absence of calculations also included the failure to think about the next opponent: by finishing in command of group B we find Spain in the semi-final, credited with being the underdogs to win the title but second – behind Belgium – in group A (where they lost to Croatia, then eliminated due to goal difference). Certainly facing this Italy, in the end, will not be comfortable for anyone.
angle factor
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Also because Franceschini gives the impression of managing a group in the best possible way in which he distributes minutes and responsibilities. Compared to the success against Montenegro, four other starters change (Albini, Gasparelli, Landi and Fugazzola for Bonifazi, Okon, Corigliano and Croci) but other good responses arrive. Even on a mental level, given that Italy finds itself at a disadvantage for the first time and knows how to react. In fact, just under a quarter of an hour passes when Lupo’s goal is found to be blocked following a corner development, thanks to Bro Hansen who punishes a defense that is not totally reactive. Corners become the dominant theme of the first half, as Captain Biondini scores the equalizer in the 24th minute with a beautiful volley towards the spot (corner taken by Fugazzola with his left foot and Varali’s effort at the far post). Before the break, the overtaking by Dattilo (header by the Roma full-back, assisted by Gasparello) and the hat-trick again resulting from the flag (the winning header, in this case, is by central defender Donato). In the second half the management had some kinks and so came the Danish goals from Ekstrand in the 58th minute and from Khatar at the end of time, when it was too late to question the result (even if they lost by a narrow margin, second place would not have been in question). The semi-finals on Thursday: Belgium-France and Italy-Spain (currently scheduled for 7pm at the Kadriorg Stadium in Tallinn, time awaiting officialisation).
