EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS

Italy head coach Simone Pianigiani had every reason to be satisfied with what he saw from his players in the four-nation friendly tournament in Trento

Italy didn't have Danilo Gallinari but still beat Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro at the Trentino Cup.

All four sides are getting ready for the EuroBasket Qualification Round after competing in the Final Round in Lithuania last year.

Italy beat the Finns, 79-71, edged Bosnia and Herzegovina 84-81 and overcame Montenegro, 84-73, with Gallinari rested as a precautionary measure.

"I am very happy because in Europe, we will encounter many times this type of play and we are in need of having this type of experience," Italy coach Simone Pianigiani said.

"Montenegro have players that play around Europe.

"The team once again has understood the sense of the game.

"We are going through a good time and we must continue to work in this manner until the games that count."

Italy firmly believe they can reach next year's EuroBasket, despite having to play without Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli this summer.

"Between Folgaria and Trento, I have seen a good atmosphere and a good approach and this is a very positive sign," Pianigiani said.

"Now, we have only two days off to rest in the whole summer and I have to compliment my players and those that have worked with us."

Italy veteran Luigi Datome was named the MVP of the Trentino Cup.

"Our level is constantly growing," Datome said.

"We are playing better in each game."

Young forward Achille Polonara, who last week joined Cimberio Varese, has been called up to join the national team in training in Trieste on 30 July.

Polonara will remain with the national team until Nicolo Melli returns from injury.

PAVICEVIC UPBEAT

Montenegro coach Luka Pavicevic wasn't downbeat about his team despite their losses to Bosnia and Herzegovina (83-81) and Italy (84-73).

They did beat Finland in between, 75-68, and finished second in the tournament ahead of Finland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"I think the tournament was a great way to evaluate things," Pavicevic said.

"We had a problem because we haven't played a single game with the strongest squad.

"Taylor Rochestie missed the first game and Suad Sehovic wasn't available in the games against Finland or Italy.

"It would be great if we could play the entire tournament with the strongest squad, but even so, we have many reasons for satisfaction.

"In three games in Italy, we saw our quality and faults that we have to remove in the (friendly) tournament in Poland.

"I think that the result of the second place we took was a realistic result."

Finland's lone win was an 86-74 triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina.