Italy center Denis Marconato has expressed relief that next month’s Lega A All-Star Game will take place following GIBA’s (Players’ Association) decision to call off the threat of a strike.

The annual game pits Italy’s national team against the top foreign players in Lega A but a dispute about the growing number of imports in the league had thrown the glitzy game into doubt.

		“	It’s very important that the All-Star Game is played, not only for the national team but for the league	„
		Denis Marconato

Players like Marconato said they would not take part unless the federation made changes to protect the interests of Italian players.

On Thursday, the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) agreed that in the 2005-06 campaign the minimum number of Italians on each 12-man squad would have to increase from five to six.

And the FIP, responding to criticism from Azzurri stars like Matteo Soragna, promised to have more dialogue with players and to come up with an effective plan on developing youngsters.

After helping Benetton win 85-77 at Roma on Saturday night, Marconato told PA International:

“It’s very important that the All-Star Game is played, not only for the national team but for the league.

“I think it was crucial that the federation took a step back and accepted our proposals.”