There was a double blow for Group D participants Greece and Italy, as the Azzuri will be without Daniel Hackett and the Greeks might have lost Ioannis Bourousis in their preparations for Eurobasket.
No reasons were given for Hackett’s absence from the Italian national side, even though he had hinted that he would miss out through Twitter.
“People are asking me, but at the moment I cannot guarantee my presence at the national team. Too many question marks, too little health,” Hackett tweeted on 12 July.
Hackett led Italian giants Montepaschi Siena to an impressive eighth straight Serie A title and averaged 8 points for the national side during the Eurobasket qualification rounds in 2012.
Greece could be without one of their veteran stars for the upcoming event as Ioannis Bourousis fractured a rib during the side’s training camp on Thursday and is out for an unspecified period of time.
The 29-year-old forward was taken to a hospital in Athens where he underwent several medical tests.
The medical team though were quick to announce that his participation in Slovenia is not under question.
Both teams will be housed in Group D alongside Russia, Turkey, Finland and Sweden.