Team overview
The most successful side in the history of the U21 European Championships, Italy will once again be among the favourites to take the title in Sweden.
A country renowned for nurturing young talent has tasted success in this competition on five previous occasions, dominating the tournament throughout the 1990s and early 21st century.
They took the first of three consecutive crowns in 1992, and also came out on top at both the 2000 and 2004 events.
With their squad brimming with players that are already established household names in Serie A, Pierluigi Casiraghi will be expected to have his side in contention once again this time around.
How they qualified
Italy booked their ticket to Sweden after going unbeaten through their qualification campaign.
They pipped Croatia to top spot in qualifying Group 1, conceding just five goals in 10 fixtures.
At the other end, they averaged more than two goals a game in outings against Croatia, Greece, Albania, Faroe Islands and Azerbaijan.
Having successfully progressed to the play-offs, they then overcame the disappointment of being held to a goalless draw in the first leg of their meeting with Israel to secure an impressive 3-1 victory in Tel Aviv and a comfortable aggregate success.
Coach - Pierluigi Casiraghi
Casiraghi was appointed as joint-coach of the Italy U21 side, alongside Gianfranco Zola, in July 2006.
The pair enjoyed a successful partnership, securing a fifth place finish at the 2007 U21 European Championship - their first major championship.
They then led the Azzurrini to the 2008 Olympic Games, where they reached the quarter-finals before slipping to a 3-2 defeat against Belgium.
Shortly after their return from Beijing, in September 2008, Zola agreed to step into the managerial void at Premier League outfit West Ham, leaving Casiraghi in sole charge of the Italian youngsters.
One to watch - Sebastian Giovinco
A diminutive playmaker in the Lionel Messi-mould, Giovinco forced his way into the Juventus first-team towards the end of the 2006/07 campaign.
He was then loaned out to Empoli for the following season, allowing him the opportunity to play regular football - as well as tasting life in the Uefa Cup.
He returned to Juve in the summer of 2008 and played a regular role for the Bianconeri as they finished as runners-up in Serie A last term.
Giovinco has represented Italy at every youth level from U16 upwards, winning the Most Valuable Player award at the 2008 Toulon Tournament and starring at the 2008 Olympic Games.
Why they'll win it
Italy's trump card is definitely their attacking strength and they will be hoping their attacking unit fires on all cylinders.
Juve star Giovinco is likely to be their key men, but he will be ably assisted by Inter Milan duo Mario Balotelli and Robert Acquafresca.
Giovinco's Stadio Olimpico team-mate Claudio Marchisio is another youngster with bags of creative talent, while Parma striker Alberto Paloschi will also be hoping to make an impact.
If anything, the only problem facing Casiraghi as he prepares to launch a tilt at continental glory is how to fit his embarrassment of riches into a starting XI.
Why they won't
While their prowess going forward is sure to have Italy catching the eye, the lopsided nature of their side could cause them problems at the back.
Any team that includes the likes of Juventus' Paolo De Cegile and Roma's Marco Motta at full-back is likely to leave themselves option to counter-attacks.
Casiraghi will be well aware of that threat and is likely to deploy a holding midfielder and two uncompromising centre-halves, but it remains to be seen how solid Italy's foundations will be.
Rarely tested throughout their qualification campaign, the Azzurrini must be prepared for tougher challenges to come against Europe's elite.
