Italy

Winners of the first edition in 1982, when still a competition for Under-16 teams, Italy have reached the finals for the first time since 2009 by ending the reign of back-to-back champions the Netherlands in the elite round.

The Azzurrini booked their place with one game to spare after beating both Norway and the Dutch 1-0 and coach Daniele Zoratto can count on a secure goalkeeper in the shape of Simone Scuffet and two imposing centre-backs in Giacomo Sciacca and Elio Capradossi, who helped the side keep five clean sheets in qualifying. Mario Pugliese is the leader of the midfield while winger Gennaro Tutino gives creativity to a team who contain captain Alberto Cerri as their main attacking threat. "We did well in qualifying from a difficult group but I am sure there is still a big margin for improvement," said Zoratto.

Qualifying round: Albania 1-0, Liechtenstein 4-0, Hungary 2-3 (Group 8 runners-up)

Elite round: Norway 1-0, Netherlands 1-0, Northern Ireland 0-0 (Group 7 winners)

Key players
Elio Capradossi (defender, AS Roma), Alberto Cerri (forward, Parma FC), Gennaro Tutino (winger/forward, SSC Napoli) 

Coach: Daniele Zoratto

Date of Birth: 15 November 1961
Nationality: Italian
Playing career: AC Cesena, Rimini Calcio, Brescia Calcio, Parma FC, Calcio Padova 1910 
Coaching career: Parma FC, Modena FC, Torino FC, Italy U17

A classical playmaker with the ability to dictate the tempo of play, Zoratto made his name at Brescia Calcio before helping Parma earn promotion to Serie A in 1990. Staying at the Stadio Ennio Tardini until 1994 and helping Parma to a Coppa Italia in 1992, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1993 and the UEFA Super Cup the same year, he picked up his only Italy cap against Switzerland in 1993.

After entering coaching after retiring in 1995 he returned to Parma as assistant coach in 2004 and, following spells at Modena and Torino, was appointed U17 coach by the Italian Football Association (FIGC) in 2010.

Team records

Qualifying top scorer
Federico Bonazzoli, Alberto Cerri: 3

UEFA European Under-17 Championship best
Third place: 2005

Honours in UEFA youth competitions
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Winners: 2003
UEFA European Under-18 Championship
Runners-up: 1986, 1995, 1999
UEFA European Under-16 Championship
Winners: 1982
International Youth Tournament (U18)
Winners: 1958, 1966
Runners-up: 1959