ITA - Pianigiani: "We need to go a step further"

MILAN (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The Italian national team on Wednesday came together on the eve of the start of their training camp for EuroBasket 2013.

The 19 players called by national team coach Simone Pianigiani attended a media day in Milan and will get down to serious business on Thursday in Folgaria.

The Azzurri squad, who had a perfect 8-0 record in last year's EuroBasket 2013 Qualification Round, is without the injured Danilo Gallinari, but the side will be able to count on four other players with NBA experience - past, present and future.

As well as Andrea Bargnani (New York Knicks), Marco Belinelli (San Antonio Spurs) and rookie-to-be Luigi Datome (Detroit Pistons), Italy introduced Travis Diener - who has been on the books of the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers - whose point guard skills should enhance the Italian team at the tournament taking place in Slovenia from 4 to 22 September.

But talent isn't the main factor for coach Pianigiani.

"We need to start from last year's spirit, we were able to create a very solid core," he said.

"This is what we need now, because the level of competition will be higher, and we need to take a step further, starting from day one."

Italy, who failed to get out of the first round two years ago in Lithuania, will open their EuroBasket 2013 campaign in Group D, considered to be the toughest one.

In Koper, the Azzurri will take on Greece (who are coached by Italian Andrea Trinchieri), Turkey (who are led by former Italy coach Boscia Tanjevic) as well as Russia, Sweden and Finland.

This is why Pianigiani isn't looking past the first round or talking about a dream of qualifying for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

"We need to think about the first stage, because after the first week only 50% of the teams will survive," he said.

But Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) President Giovanni Petrucci expressed his confidence in the team.

"I believe in these players. And when someone believes in something, any result is possible," he said.

Bargnani returns to play for Italy having missed last summer's Qualification Round. He averaging 22.8 points per game in Lithuania two years ago.

"The 2011 edition wasn't a positive experience. We closed with only a win and four losses, and we had no absent players," he recalled.

"Our current team could lack some size and we will need to use different abilities, play defense and run the court."

The 27-year old centre is Italy's front man, but is encouraged to see how much the whole core of the team has gained some precious experience.

"I saw (Daniel) Hackett and (Luigi) Datome during the latest Italian playoffs and they improved a lot. They are much better players than two years ago," he said.

Hackett, however, is a question mark as an Achiles tendon problem will sideline him during the first part of the training camp.

"I want to play at the EuroBasket, I hope I will be fine very soon” said the 25-year old point-guard, who will share minutes with newcomer Diener.

The 31-year-old playmaker for Dinamo Sassari looks forward to his experience with the Italian team.

"I am eager to play at such a big level of competition," Diener said.

"Coach Pianigiani appreciates my competitiveness and playing five games with big meaning in six days will be a new challenge.

"I think that together with Bargnani, we can create good pick-and-roll situations."

FIBA