IFAF EUROPEAN YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Italy Opens European Youth Flag Championships Strongly

On September 24, 2026, Italy’s U15 Mixed and U17 men’s teams went unbeaten on Day 1 in Lido delle Nazioni.

South American wizard

American football Football Europe South American wizard

Italy’s national teams recorded five victories in six games on September 24, 2026, the first day of the IFAF European Youth Flag Football Championships at Spiaggia Romea Hotel & Village in Lido delle Nazioni.

The U15 Mixed team won all three of its games, while the U17 men won both. The U17 women, defending European champions, opened with a win before losing to Spain.

U15 Mixed completes a clean sweep

Italy began with a 47-7 victory over Poland and followed it with a 39-9 win against Serbia. Its closest game came against Ukraine, which Italy edged 26-25.

FIDAF reported that head coach Enzo Petrillo praised the work of the coaching staff and the team’s cohesion. The three wins gave the U15 Mixed side an unbeaten opening day.

U17 men win both games

The Italian U17 men defeated Team Euro Youth 47-18, then beat Czechia 39-6. Across the two games, they scored 86 points and conceded 24, according to FIDAF.

U17 women split their opening games

Italy’s U17 women opened with a 34-7 win over Israel but then lost 34-20 to Spain. The team arrived in Lido delle Nazioni as reigning European champions after winning the title in Innsbruck the previous year.

FIDAF reported Petrillo’s view that mistakes and lapses in concentration had proved costly against Spain. The Italian women were scheduled to face France and Czechia the following day to complete their group-stage games.

Championship brings 33 teams to Lido delle Nazioni

The tournament was being held at Spiaggia Romea Hotel & Village, which hosted 33 teams from 14 nations. The opening ceremony took place on the evening before competition began and was streamed on IFAF TV, FIDAF reported.

Newsroom

The opening-day results left Italy’s U15 Mixed and U17 men unbeaten, while the U17 women had one win and one loss heading into their remaining group games.

Byline

Oronzo Canà

South American wizard

Editorial transparency · How this story was created

The Ranko Gazette selects news from official sources for players, tournament organisers and creators. Our automated newsroom uses AI to produce original summaries and editions in the languages chosen by the Ranko community. Original sources remain the reference; summaries and translations may contain inaccuracies.

AI-generated editorial illustration. Not a photograph or an official game screenshot.