Oranje and Azzurrini show their colours

Last-day win
Italy, staging Group 9, booked their progress with a game to spare after victories against Latvia and Cyprus. The island nation held the Netherlands to a draw, but Albert Stuivenberg's Dutch team beat the hosts 5-2 to top the group with seven points. Latvia had the consolation of third place after defeating Cyprus 2-0.

Netherlands held
Stuivenberg is aiming to lead a team to the U17 finals for a third successive year, yet the Netherlands had a difficult start as they drew 0-0 with Cyprus. Italy overcame Latvia 3-1, having taken the lead on the half-hour through Alberto Libertazzi. Jevgēņijs Blagijs equalised with 17 minutes left, only for Alessandro De Vitis and Stephan El Shaarawi to secure the points for Italy.

Cyprus denied
Cyprus came close to another goalless draw on Matchday 2 but Simone Dell'Agnello's strike 18 minutes from time gave Italy a 1-0 win and a place in the Elite round. The Netherlands ousted Latvia 3-0. They were two up within six minutes thanks to Rangelo Janga and a penalty from Oguzhan Özyakup, one of two survivors from last season's semi-finalist squad along with Dico Koppers. Shabir Isoufi made it three in the 20th minute.

Stuivenberg pleased
Still, the Netherlands were not certain to progress until their masterful display against Italy. Özyakup converted a 15th-minute penalty to make the breakthrough and Isoufi doubled the advantage early in the second half. Nygel Velder, Isoufi and Mark Janssen added to the scoreline before two late Italy consolations from Marco Fossati and Libertazzi. "This was our best match of the tournament," said Stuivenberg. "We played especially well after the break." Italy coach Pasquale Salerno added: "I am disappointed with the approach to the game from my lads because they did not concentrate."