Italy lack the NBA star power found on many of the teams at the European Championships but that has not kept them from shining brightly.

As a team, coach Carlo Recalcati’s group are suddenly thriving.

If unbeaten Greece look past the Azzurri, it could cost them dearly.

“This team has constructed an identity during the preparation stages and has maintained it,” Recalcati said.

“We know our own limits. The team knows how to adapt to its rivals during the course of a match and to find the best way to react in the difficult moments.”

Italy looked so bad in their opening two games against Slovenia and France, their championships were close to being over.

But they regrouped, scraped a win against Bosnia-Herzegovina and then astonished the experts by upsetting Germany 86-84.

Other than Israel’s unlikely appearance in the final eight, Italy have provided the most amazing story of the event.

“We are a team with defects and when we are able to overcome them we are competitive against anyone,” said Recalcati.

The side who finished second in 1997 and then won in 1999 are virtually history.

Those teams, coached by Ettore Messina, belonged to Carlton Myers and Gregor Fucka, but they have retired from the international game.

Both would have come in handy against Greece, who may be the best defensive team in the competition.

“It is true that Greece are a stronger side but when it comes to one match no team is favourite, certainly if Italy repeat the performance they showed against Germany they will reach the semi-finals,” Messina told PA International.

If Italy take out Greece they could find themselves facing Spain, the favourites to capture the title according to Messina, the coach of Benetton Treviso who says he is enjoying the European Championships.

“European basketball has improved a lot in recent years, it is more passionate, faster and this is proven by the number of European players that have joined the NBA,” Messina added.