Genoa sensation boosts Italy

Difficult start
Gotti, a former AC Milan and Reggina Calcio youth coach, took over in September. He had a difficult start but the Azzurrini found form in the qualifying round with 4-0 wins against Malta and Andorra and a goalless draw with Serbia. In January they played two games against a strong Republic of Ireland team, losing 1-0 but then winning 2-0 with goals from Salvatore Caturano and Fernando Forestieri. Caturano scored again in a 2-1 defeat by Russia in February.

Forestieri feats
Empoli FC striker Caturano and S.S. Lazio centre-back and captain Alessandro Tuia are important players but attention has been on attacking midfielder Forestieri, who scored on his Serie B debut for Genoa 1893 against Pescara Calcio three days before turning 17, and then led his side to victory in the prestigious Coppa Carnevale youth event. Born in Argentina, he opted for Italy this summer and scored three times in the qualifying round. "I want to help this side to win the European Championship," Forestieri told uefa.com. "My real dream is to play a [FIFA] World Cup final with Italy just as [Argentina-born] Mauro Camoranesi did last summer."

Czech stalwarts
To reach the U17 finals they must get past the Czech Republic, who can call on two of their 2006 squad - goalkeeper Marek Štěch and defender Miroslav Štěpánek. Štěch left AC Sparta Praha for West Ham United FC after the finals in Luxembourg while 1.90m-tall Štěpánek moved from SK Sigma Olomouc to Hamburger SV. Coach Ivan Kopecký's team beat Luxembourg 2-0, drew 0-0 with Slovenia and lost 3-1 to Turkey in the qualifying round, while in La Manga in February they finished second. Since then they have played Sweden twice, with a 3-1 reverse and 3-0 win. Looking ahead to this week, Kopecký said: "The group is well-balanced; it will be open."

Slovakian hopes
Neighbours Slovakia are led by former international Ľubomír Moravčík, and boast top-flight player Andrej Rendľa of FK Dukla Banská Bystrica while both goalkeepers are English-based - Filip Mentel of Manchester City FC, who also provide striker Róbert Mak, and Southampton FC's Matej Rondoš. Moravčík, whose team came through a group involving Bosnia-Herzegovina, Wales and Moldova, said: "We are not favourites. Italy are because they will play at home. But we have an acceptable draw and we will try to spring a surprise."

Ukraine mission
Ukraine won their qualifying round games against San Marino, Kazakhstan and Belarus but the latter turned the tables in an international tournament final in January on penalties. Assistant coach Yuriy Moroz says they have been busy analysing their Elite round rivals. "One of our coaches went to Ireland to see Italy," he said. "We have also played them before and the Czechs too so we know their strengths. But our boys believe in their own strength. Everyone is fit and keen to play. We have set the highest goal in Italy."

Additional reporting by Ladislav Josef, Rastislav Hríbik & Igor Linnyk