Italy schedule tough warm-up games for FIBA EuroBasket

ROME (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Italy should be battle-tested by the time they arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel, for the start of their FIBA EuroBasket 2017 campaign.

The Italians, who will be coached by Ettore Messina for the second straight year, will have two warm-up games against African juggernauts Nigeria and they are assured of facing EuroBasket-bound sides Finland, Turkey, Montenegro, Belgium, France, Serbia, Greece and Georgia.

Italy could also have a friendly against Ukraine, a side they will take on in Group B at the FIBA EuroBasket on September 2.

For that to happen, both teams would need to win, or lose, in their opening games at the Trentino Basket Cup (July 29-30).

Italy are looking to bounce back from the heartbreak of falling to Croatia in overtime in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Final in Turin. That result prevented the Azzurri from competing at an Olympic Games for the first time since 2004, when they reached the Final and claimed a silver medal.

Italy's first game at the FIBA EuroBasket on August 31 will be the main event that day as they will square off against hosts Israel.

In addition to the Israelis and Ukrainians, Italy will meet Lithuania in Group B on September 3, Germany on September 5 and Georgia on September 6.

A top four finish would allow them to progress to Istanbul for the Final Phase.

Italy's warm-up games for FIBA EuroBasket 2017

Trentino Basket Cup
July 29: Italy v Belarus; July 30: Italy v Ukraine or Netherlands

Cagliari
August 6: Italy v Nigeria

Cagliari Tournament
August 11: Italia v Finland; August 12: Italy v Nigeria; August 13: Italy v Turkey

Toulouse Tournament, France
August 18: Italy v Montenegro; August 19: Italy v Belgium; August 20: Italy v France

Acropolis Tournament, Athens, Greece
August 23: Italy v Serbia; August 24: Italy v Greece; August 25: Italy v Georgia

FIBA