ITA - The Gallinari buzz

ROME (EuroBasket 2011) - Italy's basketball legend Dino Meneghin knows there are three special players in the national team set-up right now, stars that one day could help take the country back to the top of the international game.

It's why the federation president is full of optimism going into this summer.

Italy have a terrific young coach in Simone Pianigiani and a trio of NBA men: Toronto's Andrea Bargnani, New Orleans' Marco Belinelli and Denver's Danilo Gallinari.

Many believe that the last of them, 22-year-old Gallinari will end up as the most special of all.

Prevented from taking part in the last two EuroBaskets because of injury and also unable to play last summer, he's finally ready to wear the Azzurri shirt.

Gallinari, who was traded from the New York Knicks to the Denver Nuggets in mid-season and averaged 15.6 points per game in 2010-11, showed up in Rome yesterday to have a medical at the Olympic training center.

The event created quite a stir.

"To see Gallinari with the Azzurri colors is for me a great joy," Meneghin said.

"Finally he is here and I am anxious to watch him on the court because we need him."

Gallinari also met with reporters who came in big numbers.

They were desperate to get a word with the Denver Nuggets man.

"Since the NBA season ended," Gallinari said, "I have not thought about anything else but the national team.

"I am looking forward to being with the others.

"I am happy and charged up.

"I can´t wait to get started."

Italy will need Gallinari at the 24-team EuroBasket in Lithuania, where they have been drawn in a 'group of death' with Serbia, Israel, Latvia, Germany and France.

Gallinari is upbeat, but also telling everyone that success isn't going to happen overnight.

"With regards to the EuroBasket in Lithuania, we are a new group, young while other teams are powerhouses and that is why I don´t have high expectations," he said.

"We have a project and quality players but also our rivals have players that compete in the NBA and that have won the Euroleague.

"Our group is a tough one.

"I have only played EuroBasket at junior level."

Italy are to begin their training on July 18 in Bormio.

They will play in the Diego Gianatti Tournament with Bulgaria, Canada and F.Y.R. of Macedonia.

In August, they will take part in three tournaments.

They will be in Cyprus (August 5-7), Rimini (August 12-14) and Athens (August 23-25).

The EuroBasket tips off on August 31.

The two sides that reach the Final will qualify for the London Games, while the teams that come in third, fourth, fifth and sixth will be invited to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

FIBA