Italy qualify for Euros with three games to spare

ROME, Oct 13 (AP): Two years after failing to qualify for the World Cup, Italy's turnaround could not be more emphatic.

The Azzurri overcame Greece's defensive tactics for a 2-0 win Saturday and qualified for the 2020 European Championship with three matches to spare.

And qualification comes with quite a bonus: Italy is now assured of playing in the opening match of next year's tournament at home in Rome in June.

"We haven't really achieved anything yet but let's enjoy this moment," coach Roberto Mancini said. "We should be happy with the way the squad is playing. Italy still needs to work a lot to improve. But there's not such a big gap from the big European squads."

Brazilian-born midfielder Jorginho converted a penalty after the hour mark after a blatant handball by Andreas Bouchalakis. Then substitute Federico Bernardeschi scored from outside the area with a low, bouncing shot that was deflected.