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Italy national under-21 football team

The Italy national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Italy and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years.

Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, the Italian Under-21 team was formed. Until 1990, the team had a very good record - reaching the last eight of each of the first seven UEFA U-21 Championships. From 1990 to 2004 the team established near-total dominance of European Under-21 football, winning five of the seven tournaments. It is the most successful nation in the history of the competition.

The lowest point for the team came in 1997, when it failed to qualify for the 1998 finals. The team won the 2004 tournament finals in Germany. In the 2006 tournament finals in Portugal the team failed to advance to second round. This was Italy's 14th U-21 finals tournament.

Italy's Under-21s played the first match at the new Wembley Stadium, on 24 March 2007, against England Under-21s. The game resulted in a 3-3 draw, with Giampaolo Pazzini scoring all 3 goals for the Azzurrini.

In the 2007 U21 Championships Italy finished a disappointing third in their finals group, their worst finish since 1988. However, the team managed to gain qualification for the football at the 2008 Summer Olympics, beating Portugal on penalties in a playoff.

Prior to the 2008 Olympic games, Italy U-21s went on to win the 2008 Toulon Tournament by beating Chile (1-0) in the final. It was the first time they had won this tournament, previously their best had been runner-up on two occasions.

UEFA U-23 Championship Record

Since the under-21 competition rules insist that players must be 21 or under at the start of a two year competition, technically it is an U-23 competition. For this reason, Italy's record in the preceding U-23 competitions is also shown.

1972: Did not qualify. Finished 2nd of 3 in qualification group.
1974: Losing quarter-finalists.
1976: Did not qualify. Finished 2nd of 3 in qualification group.

UEFA U-21 Championship Record

1976-1978: Losing quarter-finalists.
1978-1980: Losing quarter-finalists.
1980-1982: Losing quarter-finalists.
1982-1984: Losing semi-finalists.
1984-1986: Runners-up.
1986-1988: Losing quarter-finalists.
1988-1990: Losing semi-finalists.
1990-1992: Winners.
1992-1994: Winners.
1994-1996: Winners.
1996-1998: Did not qualify. Finished 3rd of 5 in qualification group.
1998-2000: Winners.
2000-2002: Losing semi-finalists.
2002-2004: Winners.
2004-2006: Finished 3rd of 4 in finals group.
2006-2007: Finished 5th by winning Olympic qualification play-off.
2007-2009: ongoing

Olympics football Record

Since 1992 Olympics football changed to U-23 event, and the European U-21 teams, technically is a U-23 teams. The winner, runner-up and third place of UEFA U-21 Championship qualify for Olympics.

Before 1992: See Italy national football team
1992: Losing quarter-finalists
1996: Finished 4th of 4 in finals group
2000: Losing quarter-finalists
2004: Bronze Medal
2008: Losing quarter-finalists