U21 Euros: Italy and Poland get off to flying starts in Group A

There was a good start for the Sampdoria players involved in the European Under-21 Championship on Sunday night as Italy and Poland beat Spain and Belgium respectively in Group A.

Emil Audero and Federico Bonazzoli were both on the bench as Federico Chiesa (36 and 64) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (82 pen.) scored to overturn Dani Ceballos’ early goal and give the Azzurrini a big three points in the late game in Bologna.

Dawid Kownacki wore the captain’s armband and played the full 90 minutes as Poland came from behind to beat Belgium 3-2. Aaron Iseka Leya gave Belgium the lead on 16 minutes, but goals from Szymon Zurkowski (26), Krystian Bielik (52) and Sebastian Szymanski (79) turned the result around for Poland, before Dion Cools notched a late consolation for the Belgians.

Italy play Poland next, with Spain taking on Belgium.