Italy coach Carlo Recalcati concedes his team need a dramatic improvement if they are to be contenders at next month’s European Championships.

The Azzurri take part in a four-team tournament in Strasbourg over the weekend with Recalcati admitting his side are still some way short of their best form.

"We are a long way away from where we want to be," he claimed.

"We have to work very hard if we are to find continuity in our play."

Italy meet Lithuania, France and Israel in what may prove to be an interesting pointer towards the championships in Sweden, which run from September 5 to September 14. The Azzurri go into the tournament on the back of mixed results, having beaten Turkey and Sweden but suffered defeat against Latvia and Greece.

"Greece are a very strong team, with superior athletes to ours and they beat us 90-58," recalled Recalcati.

"But regardless of our rivals, we need to learn to become hard to beat."

Although his team are undoubtedly not playing to their full potential, at least there is positive news on the injury front for Recalcati.

Guards Massimo Bulleri and Gianluca Basile are both available for selection again after missing the Greece game with a knee injury and muscular problems respectively.

"It is crucial that we find a balance in the team's performance prior to the European Championships," he continued.

"I want to get an objective view of where we are, now that Bulleri and Basile have re-joined us."

But Recalcati may prolong the wait for his players as they wait anxiously to see if they have been included in the squad for the European Championships. The former Skipper Bologna coach has hinted that he could leave it until the very last minute before announcing the party for Sweden.

"I am still thinking of announcing the team after the Strasbourg tournament but I am not sure," he said.

"A lot will depend on the players’ physical condition and how things go."