Italy will have to shape up or face shipping out early at the upcoming European Championships if Wednesday's 93-83 defeat to Lithuania is anything to go by.

The Lithuanians were never in any trouble during the clash in Bormio as the Italians suffered a disastrous third quarter, in which the Azzurri defence allowed the visitors to go 29 points clear.

"Lithuania are a strong team. Even without players of the calibre of Arvydas Saabonis and Zydrunas Ilgauskas they still have a fantastic squad," said Italy coach Carlo Recalcati.

Recalcati's men did stage a recovery in the final quarter but lacked the pace and vision in attack to damage Antantas Sireika's slick outfit.

Lottomatica Roma guard Alex Righetti provided some resistance from the three point-line and the Azzurri finally woke from their slumber in the final period as guards Massimo Bulleri and Matteo Soragna's got in on the act as the deficit was cut to 11 points with three minutes left to play.

Roberto Chiacig was Italy's top scorer with 20 points on the night.