ITA - Pianigiani's juggling act

TRENTINO (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Italy do not have Danilo Gallinari or Daniel Hackett this summer, and a respiratory infection is keeping Andrea Bargnani off the court and throwing his appearance at the EuroBasket in jeopardy.

On Thursday at the Trentino Basket Cup, though, the Azzurri provided some evidence they'll be a handful for their opponents in Group D in Slovenia.

Italy defeated Georgia, 85-69, with Marco Belinelli pouring in 21 points.

"The players have been really good," said Italy coach Simone Pianigiani.

"We have picked up in terms of our approach to what we had last summer."

Italy won all eight of their games in the Qualification Round for the EuroBasket one year ago.

"This emotional and technical approach is a good starting point," Pianigiani said.

"Having less physical size and with some physical issues, we need to learn how to suffer and to always play well.

"For example, we only took 14 free-throws to Georgia's 33. They achieved this because of their height and experience."

Pianigiani is realistic, though.

He knows that without Gallinari, and especially with the unexpected illness that Bargnani is now dealing with, that Italy are not the force they could be.

"We still have a lot of room to grow in order to take that next step," Pianigiani said.

"And in this sense, the work ethic is crucial. But to be among the top in Europe is a different issue.

"We have to increase our quality. If and when we recover any of our players that are right now out, that might give us a higher level. It's clear that we have holes.

"Our guards don't go towards the play. We have four atypical players that play in the five position, however, we do have margins to improve and will, if not this year, then next."

For Italy to reach the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, the Azzurri must have a top six finish at the EuroBasket.

If Spain are in the first six, then a top seven finish will qualify the team.

When it comes to Bargnani, Pianigiani isn't ruling out his appearance at the EuroBasket.

But his absence on the court is causing a real headache.

"Bargnani, of course, he worries me," Pianigiani said.

"He came really prepared for this get-together in order to improve with us, but this pause takes away from us and away from him half of the preparation.

"Those that are here have proven their quality, their capacity to adapt and deserve positive recognition."

In the other opening day game in Trentino, Israel defeated Poland, 81-65.

For the winners, Lior Eliyahu had 19 points and Omri Casspi 14.

FIBA