UEFA European U21 Championships

Helsingborg, Sweden- the time was right for Robert Acquafresca Wednesday whose equaliser just before half-time was crucial in the defeat of opponents Belarus.

Acquafresca would go on to score the winning goal for Italy in the second half sealing Italy's success, in coming from behind to beat Belarus 2-1, finishing atop Group A to book a semi-final place.

The young Caligari forward was awarded the Carlsberg Man of the Match for his game-winning performance yet was quick to share the credit with his teammates,

"I'm very proud of this award but I have to thank my team-mates who created so many chances for me," said the player who netted 14 Serie A goals for Caligari last season.

"I could even have scored another but I mistimed my shot and missed the target. We are all very happy because reaching the semi-finals was our objective and we have earned some reward for two years' hard work."

Final Group Table

Group A
Jun 16 Sweden 5-1 Belarus Malmo
Jun 16 Italy 0-0 Serbia Helsingborg
Jun 19 Sweden 1-2 Italy Helsingborg
Jun 19 Belarus 0-0 Serbia Malmo
Jun 23 Serbia 1-3 Sweden Malmo
Jun 23 Belarus 1-2 Italy Helsingborg

P W D L F A Pts
Italy 3 2 1 0 5 2 7
Sweden 3 2 0 1 9 4 6
Serbia 3 0 2 1 1 3 2
Belarus 3 0 1 2 2 7 1

Group B
Jun 15 England 2-1 Finland Halmstad
Jun 15 Spain 0-0 Germany Gothenburg
Jun 18 Germany 2-0 Finland Halmstad
Jun 18 Spain 0-2 England Gothenburg
Jun 22 Finland 0-2 Spain Gothenburg
Jun 22 Germany 1-1 England Halmstad

P W D L F A Pts
England 3 2 1 0 5 2 7
Germany 3 1 2 0 3 1 5
Spain 3 1 1 1 2 2 2
Finland 3 0 0 3 1 6 0