On This Day: July 23

July 23 has been a day for youngsters to shine in Italian sport. While the Azzurri's full side are usually finished in their summer endeavours by now, the up and coming footballers and swimmers have taken full advantage of the opportunity to shine. 2008 – A Fernando Forestieri goal is enough to see Italy’s Under-19 team through to the final of the European Championship after a 1-0 win over Hungary. The victory in Plzen sees Francesco Rocca’s side advance to a meeting with Germany. 2009 – Beatrice Adelizzi wins a bronze medal in the Solo Free Routine of the women’s synchronised swimming at the World Aquatic Championships in Rome at the age of 20. Despite finishing well behind Russia’s Natalia Ischenko and Spain’s Gemma Mengual, Adelizzi is the first Italian on the podium for sychronised swimming. 2013 – Tania Cagnotto finishes an agonising 0.1 of a mark short of the gold medal in the Women’s 1 Metre Springboard at the World Aquatic Championships in Barcelona. After qualifying for the final three points behind eventual winner He Zi of China, she closes the gap but is unable to climb above silver medal spot. 2015 – Croatia are penalised one point from their European Championship group after a swastika was drawn on the pitch for their 1-1 draw with the Azzurri back in June. With Split now barred from hosting Croatian qualifying games, the next two home matches were also ordered to be played behind closed doors.

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