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Thursday 21 June 2007
by Andrew Haslamfrom Goffert Stadion e-mailPrint
Emiliano Viviano was the hero as ten-man Italy edged out Portugal in a penalty shout-out in Nijmegen to end their UEFA European Under-21 Championship campaign on a high note by claiming a place in the 2008 Olympic Games. Shoot-out drama
Both sides came into this game having won their final group games last weekend but finished third in their respective sections. Neither was able to reproduce the attacking flair they had shown in their previous matches, however, with clear chances at a premium in a tense encounter. Italy lost Giuseppe Rossi to a second bookable offence late in the second period of normal time but held on to take the game to spot-kicks where Viviano saved from Manuel Fernandes. When Antunes placed Portugal's fifth penalty wide of the post Italy – for whom Graziano Pelle, with a nerveless chip, Riccardo Montolivo, Domenico Criscito and Raffaele Palladino all converted – could celebrate their Olympic berth. Destination BeijingRossi frustrated
That territorial superiority nearly became a tangible advantage as Silvestre Varela cut inside from the right and unleashed a curling left-foot effort that slipped just past the far post. Seconds later Alberto Aquilani did likewise at the other end, although without the same air of menace, but Italy did come close to the opening goal again four minutes before the interval. Antonio Nocerino's pass gave Rossi the opportunity to sprint past three defenders but the forward could not beat goalkeeper Paulo Ribeiro, who blocked well before Antunes completed the clearance. Rossi off
Nani was the first to threaten after the restart, swerving a shot just past Viviano's left-hand post, before the Azzurrini responded with a sweeping move from left to right involving Rossi, Aquilani and Rosina, the latter playing in Montolivo for a low angled drive Paulo Ribeiro blocked with his legs. Italy suffered a major setback 16 minutes from time as Rossi was dismissed after collecting a second yellow card for dissent though Portugal were unable to press home the numerical advantage, substitute Pelle twice and Giorgio Chiellini going close for Italy. Portugal pressure
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