Ricchini to leave Zandalasini at home

ROME (EuroBasket Women 2015) - Italy head coach Roberto Ricchini will not call upon the services of exciting rising star Cecilia Zandalasini at EuroBasket Women 2015 this summer.

One of the brightest young prospects in the European game, the talented teenager was part of the team that earned Italy their berth for the tournament taking place in Hungary and Romania (11-28 June) and had been expected to be rewarded with a place on the roster this year.

But she won't be available to make a Final Round debut which will disappoint many followers of the women's game who would have been looking forward to watching another exciting chapter unfold in her burgeoning career.

There is still some representation from youth stars, with coach Ricchini giving a chance to Elisa Penna to force her way onto the final roster after impressing at the U20 European Championship Women last year.

Also from Penna's club, Reyer Venezia, is exciting guard Francesca Dotto. She was one of the players who made a significant splash at the last edition of EuroBasket Women in France on debut and is included on the 19-strong candidate list - as is the evergreen veteran Raffaella Masciadri.

There will be further experience from combo guard Giorgia Sottana, with the real question marks for Ricchini being how he counters a lack of depth and size in the paint, with much resting on last year's leading rebounder Maria Laterza.

Italy are due to step out in Oradea where they will go up against Belarus, Greece, Poland and Turkey in Group B.

Italy preliminary squad for EuroBasket Women 2015: Martina Bestagno, Chiara Consolini, Martina Crippa, Francesca Dotto, Valentina Fabbri, Martina Fassina, Marcella Filippi, Allesandra Formica, Guilia Gatti, Gaia Gorini, Maria Laterza, Raffaella Masciadri, Chiara Pastore, Elisa Penna, Kathrin Ress, Pamela Rosanio, Laura Spreafico, Giorgia Sottana, Ilaria Zanoni.

Go to eurobasketwomen2015.com for full coverage of EuroBasket Women 2015.

FIBA