ITA - Bargnani expected back on court soon for Italy

ATHENS (EuroBasket 2007) - Toronto Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani is expected to return to action with Italy on August 25 after being rested because of a recurring back problem.

Italy coach Carlo Recalcati has been forced to leave the seven-footer out of several EuroBasket warm-up games, including the Azzurri's first two against Slovenia and Greece in this week's Acropolis Tournament.

"With 11 days to go before the start of the EuroBasket, I would have gladly not have had to deal with this," Recalcati said.

"It was a necessity for Bargnani to rest because we want to resolve this problem in the hope that it will not emerge later on."

Bargnani, 21, was voted to the NBA All-Rookie team this year and is seen as one of Italy's most important players as they try to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.

Recalcati is optimistic that Bargnani will return to play later this weekend.

"I am counting on having Bargnani on the court for the second game of the Bamberg Tournament in Germany on August 25," he said.

Meanwhile, Daniel Hackett, a guard with the USC Trojans, has left Italy and returned to Los Angeles to register for the fall semester.

Should he make the final list for the EuroBasket, he will be available to play against Greece on August 30 in Rome - Italy's last warm-up game.

Italy will take on Tony Parker's France, Slovenia and Poland in Group D action in Alicante.

Cindy Garcia-Bennett
FIBA