GABRIELE BIANCHERI and his Wales pals will combine getting top marks at the Euros with sitting their GCSEs.
The Manchester United forward, 16, faces hosts Hungary in an opening Under-17 European Championship finals examination in Budapest today.
GettyManchester United teen star Gabriele Biancheri and his Wales pals face Euro U-17s hosts Hungary in Budapest on Wednesday[/caption]
Biancheri, 16, joined United from Cardiff in FebruaryManchester united FC via Instagram / @gabebiancheri_
The Welsh starlets are on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run.
But Biancheri and some of Craig Knight’s class are also revising for tests off the pitch in English, Welsh, PE, History, Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.
The exams are scheduled for the day before and after their Group D matches during the tournament.
Biancheri said: “It’s a bit surreal. If you had told me I would be sitting my GCSEs exams in Hungary when I was in Year 7, you’d have thought, ‘What do you mean?’
“It’s different. It’s tough to revise and train with the match prep but you have to sacrifice sometimes. Everyone is helping each other.
“Education is really important for us all so we have to prepare for that alongside football.
“The coaches are giving the players the best possible chance to succeed.
“Everyone is buzzing. I’m ready to go. The mood is good and we’re all excited. It’s a big stage for us but it’s what we have all dreamed of. It’s a proud moment.”
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Biancheri, who turns 17 in September, joined United from Cardiff in February.
He told Red Wall +: “It’s gone really well but there have been a couple of difficult moments, leaving home and not being with my family and moving away from my friends.
“This is what I have always wanted – to play for a big team like Manchester United. It’s a dream come true.”