Italy NT 2009

[rikhardur]

Andrea Bargnani may play for Italy in their EuroBasket 2009 qualifying games after all.



National team boss Carlo Recalcati, who will lead the Azzurri against Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland in Division A games later this year, was preparing to move forward without the Toronto star because of his heavy training commitments with the Raptors.



But Italian Basketball Federation president Fausto Maifredi has received positive information on the 22-year-old's availability.



"In the case of Bargnani, there is something new," Maifredi said.



"Toronto have communicated to us that the player is available for the national team and consequently, he will evaluate the summer workout programs."



The 2.11m Bargnani made his senior team debut last summer at the EuroBasket in Madrid and helped the Azzurri reach the quarter-final qualifying round by averaging 12.7 points and five rebounds per contest.



Italy are uncertain if Marco Belinelli, a rookie this season with the Golden State Warriors and also a member of last year's team, will be able to play.



Belinelli was also important to Italy last year, pouring in 15.5 points per game.

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Good news no doubt for Italy and also considering the known cases with Garbajosa, Ilgauskas and others. Wishful thinking, but perhaps this could mark a turning point...