ROME (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Italy have a team that many believe should win the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Turin because of their status as hosts, the presence of Ettore Messina as coach and the hunger of their talented players that are desperate for a taste of the big time.

Italy have not played at an Olympic Games since 2004, when they finished runners-up to Argentina. If the Azzurri are going to put their best foot forward at the OQT, however, they will need Andrea Bargnani to be fit and ready. The Brooklyn Nets' decision to release the veteran big man earlier this year has cast doubt that the Rome native will in fact be at his best, especially as he has yet to find a new club to play for.

But the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) are going to do everything they can to help the 30-year-old be in tip-top shape, both mentally and physically. The FIP have announced that Bargnani is to have daily workouts with one of the coaches at the federation, Marco Calvani, and the physical trainer of the Azzurri, Francesco Cuzzolin, before he meets up with the other players on 31 May to launch the preparations for the OQT.

Italy coach Ettore Messina says this will be a huge help for Bargnani.

We are certain that this time of training with Cuzzolin and with a coach of the value of Calvani can help Andrea be ready for the start of our training camp. The friendlies that we will play this summer will get Bargnani to be in top form for the Pre-Olympic tournament in Turin, a key appointment in our summer. - Messina

Bargnani had a solid showing at EuroBasket 2015 with Italy, helping the national side achieve a sixth-place finish to clinch a spot in the OQT. The 2.12m center averaged 14.8 points per contest at the EuroBasket and was especially good in his team's last two outings.

He had 21 points in a defeat to Lithuania in the Quarter-Finals and also in a Classification Round triumph over the Czech Republic.

Italy will play in Group B of the OQT in Turin against Croatia and Tunisia, with Greece, Mexico and Iran in Group A. Only the winner of the six-team event will progress to Rio.

FIBA