A late Federica Cavicchia goal gave Italy victory over England in the opening match of the UEFA European Women’s U17 Championship Finals.
The midfielder picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box after the Three Lions had failed to properly clear Flaminia Simonetti’s free-kick, and looped a shot over Kirstie Levell in to the far corner of the net.
It was a game of relatively few chances but Lois Fidler’s England more than held their own in Telford in the first U17 Euros to be staged outside Switzerland.
The hosts were required to weather an early bout of Italian pressure, but they soon found their feet and looked more confident on the ball as the game wore on.
England 0-1 Italy
UEFA Euro Women’s U17 Championship
Group A
Tuesday 26 November 2013
AFC Telford United
But they were unable to find a way past Francesca Durante and will look to bounce back in the second group game, against Austria in Chesterfield on Friday.
A vociferous crowd of local school children, buoyed on by the England band, were in great spirits throughout, but they could have been silenced by the Italians twice inside the opening five minutes.
After Ashleigh Plumptre headed over early on for the hosts, Enrico Sbardella’s side surged forward - and had an unmarked Simonetti been more composed from 10 yards out she might have done better with Valentina Bergamaschi’s pull back than slicing the ball wide.
Bergamaschi was then put through by Valery Vigilucci’s cross, only for England goalkeeper Levell to narrow the angle and force the winger to prod the ball off target.
Both teams displayed some nice touches in this Euro opener, with Three Lions’ skipper Leah Williamson looking composed at centre-back and midfielder Mollie Rouse busy without the ball and tidy in possession.
There was a lot of football played in the middle of the pitch with neither side able to create much in the way of clear goal chances, save from long-range shots from Keira Walsh and Cavicchia.
England began the second half brightly with Arsenal striker Chloe Kelly testing Durante shortly after the restart.
Just after the hour mark the Italians had another good opportunity to break the deadlock as substitute Gloria Marinelli, on for Martina Piemonte, stole into the box but could only head Vigilucci’s left-wing centre over the bar when well placed.
Rouse was the next player to fire an effort off target as the midfielder met Sophie Stamp’s corner on the edge of the box and sent her effort just wide of Durante’s left-hand upright.
But then came the winning goal, as Cavicchia swept home majestically from 20 yards to give her side all three points.
England rallied late on with Stamp forcing Durante to tip over the bar and Williamson nudging a shot wide in added time.
However, Italy held on and Fidler’s side will hope to make amends against Austria.
England: 1 Kirstie Levell, 2 Alice Hassall, Jemma Purfield (18 Ellie Wilkinson 78), 4 Mollie Rouse, 5 Leah Williamson (C), 6 Gabrielle George, 7 Evie Clarke, 8 Sophie Stamp, 9 Chloe Kelly, 10 Keira Walsh (14 Lucy Porter, 65), 11 Ashleigh Plumptre.
Substitutes not used 12 Phillippa Cowley, 13 Sian Rogers, 15 Ella Williams, 16 Rebecca Lloyd, 17 Atlanta Primus.
Head Coach: Lois Fidler
Italy: 1 Francesca Durante, 2 Marta Vergani, 3 Lisa Boattin (C), 4 Federica Cavicchia, 7 Valentina Bergamaschi, 8 Flaminia Simonetti (14 Beatrice Abati, 80+2), 10 Manuela Giugliano, 11 Valery Vigilucci (17 Marta Mascarello, 62), 13 Nicole Peressotti, 16 Federica Rizza, 18 Martina Piemonte (9 Gloria Marinelli, 52).
Substitutes not used 5 Laura Perin, 6 Sara Mella, 15 Annamaria Serturini, 22 Alessia Piazza.
Head Coach Enrico Sbardella
Referee Sara Persson (Swe)
Attendance 2,185
