Rep of Ireland 2, Italy 1
A performance full of passion and commitment secured Ireland's first international trophy in the UEFA Under-16 Cham-pionship final at Perth.
Goals by Keith Foy and winger David McMahon made sure Ireland's noisy 2498 travelling supporters at McDiarmid Park did not leave disappointed.
Ireland took a deserved lead four minutes before the break when Nottingham Forest defender Foy's stunning 20-yard free kick found the top left corner.
Italy equalised 12 minutes later, left back Riccardo Pagliuchi crossing for midfielder Simone Pelanti to hit the first goal conceded by Irish keeper Joseph Murphy in the entire tournament.
However, the Irish regained the lead and five minutes later Graham Barrett (Arsenal) and Andrew Reid (Nottingham Forest) combined to leave Newcastle's McMahon with a simple tap-in.
Coach Brian Kerr was delighted with his side's unexpected win. ''We've come from nowhere to be champions of Europe. It's a very special moment for Irish football and there should be great joy around the whole of Ireland with this victory. It was a sensational performance.''
q Ajax striker Michael Laudrup is to retire after the World Cup. The 33-year-old, who will line up alongside Chelsea-bound brother Brian in the World Cup, has won 97 caps and scored 36 goals.
qFORMER Juventus player Roberto Baggio stands between his old club and their twenty-fifth Italian league title when Bologna meet Juve in Turin tomorrow.
With two games to play, Juve hold a four-point lead over Inter-Milan, who visit Bari, and will lift the title if they win. Baggio has 20 league goals this season and wants to prove he is worth a place in the World Cup finals.
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