Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games | Casagrande scores on Azzurri debut in draw against Albania

Lecce - Italy's campaign at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games kicked off with a draw marked by Tommaso Casagrande.

Following the opening ceremony held at the Iacovone Stadium in Taranto on Friday, August 21, the 20th edition of the Mediterranean Games officially got underway, running in Puglia until September 3. Taking part in this multi-sport event, which gathers athletes from Mediterranean nations every four years, is young gialloblù player Tommaso Casagrande with the Italy Under-18 national football team.

Yesterday, Saturday, August 22, the Azzurri side managed by Daniele Franceschini opened their tournament with a 1-1 draw against Albania at the "Via del Mare" stadium in Lecce. Albania took the lead through Marinaj right at the end of the first half, but Casagrande responded for Italy in the 56th minute.

With an average squad age of 16.9 years, the Italian lineup held their own against an older Albanian side featuring players born in 2005 and 2006.

In the next round, scheduled for Monday, August 24 (9:00 PM) in Brindisi, Italy will take on group leaders Algeria, who are coming off a 2-1 opening-match victory over Kosovo.