Italy on the spot

Dramatic exit
Dead level with Sweden going into their last group game, Italy knew a draw would mean spot-kicks under tie-breaker rules. Two minutes into added time Sweden led 3-2, but Giulia Domenichetti equalised - only for Italy to miss two of their three penalties while their opponents' perfect record took them through. With their last two group matches in Finland coming against 2003 finalists France and Norway, Elisabetta Bavagnoli's team cannot afford to be so wasteful again.

THE COACH:
Bavagnoli is a former Italian international who has seen much change in women's football. As a player she was twice part of an Azzurre side that beat the United States, but she knows that would not happen today. "Women's football is not so popular in Italy - the Italian Football Federation needs to invest and attitudes need to change," she said. "The US are so professional, they invested in the 1980s and 90s and are reaping the benefits now." Bavagnoli took sole charge of the U19s last September after spending three years in tandem with Caroline Morace, the national team coach.

ROUTE TO THE FINALS:
Last year Italy won all their qualifying games; this time they had it tougher. In first qualifying round Group B7, they beat hosts Lithuania 8-0 but then had to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Northern Ireland. Nonetheless, a further 1-1 draw against Russia was enough for both countries to progress at the British team's expense. The hosts of second qualifying round Group A5, Italy began well by defeating Switzerland 4-1, Agnese Ricco scoring a hat-trick. But after then losing 1-0 to old foes Sweden, the Italians had to beat Serbia and Montenegro and hope Switzerland would not fall to Sweden. The Azzurre prevailed 3-2 as Switzerland won 3-1, meaning Italy finished first in the section, and Sweden were out.