Italy end Australia tour on a high

Australia 1-5 Italy
Italy finished their tour of Australia with a 5-1 win over their hosts in Canberra as they warmed up for UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ this summer.

Panico hat-trick
Patrizia Panico was the star performer for Pietro Ghedin's side scoring a hat-trick as the Azzurre opened up a three-goal lead in the first 20 minutes. Melania Gabbiadini and Pamela Conti were also on target for the tourists, while Collette McCallum claimed Australia's only goal. It rounded off a successful trip for Pietro Ghedin's side, who started the series of friendly games with a 2-2 draw against the same opponents last Saturday before beating a selection of the best players in the Australian domestic league 1-0.

Important experience
Gabbiadini got the ball rolling in the sixth minute with a header and Panico made it two soon after from close range before Conti was given the easiest of finishes. Panico struck again after half-time with a cool finish and completed her treble – after McCallum got one back for the hosts – with a volley from Gabbiadini's cross. "It was a very interesting series of friendly games," Ghedin said. "These kinds of experiences are important for us to grow as a team. Facing teams who play a completely different football compared to ours is very important for our future and for the European Championship." Italy will face England, Sweden and Russia in UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ Group C in Finland from 25 August.