Marco Mordente is normally homing in on titles with Benetton Treviso, or getting ready for a big tournament with Italy's national team.

That has not been the case in 2007-08, though.

Italy did not play well enough last summer at the EuroBasket in Spain to book a place in this summer's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

They will instead, later this summer, attempt to qualify for thEuroBasket 2009 that is to be staged in Poland.

The Azzurri have been drawn against Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland in Division A, Group A.

"I think it's a tough group," Mordente said to Basketball World News.

"It will be very difficult to get first place, but as always, the Italian national team will give everything to go to the EuroBasket and to win another medal."

The winners of the four groups in Division A, and the three best second-place teams will advance to the finals where hosts Poland, Russia, Spain, Lithuania, Greece, Germany, Croatia and Slovenia have already secured spots.

As for his own role with the national side, Mordente said: "I hope the coach will call me again and I hope I can play for the national team for not only this summer, but for another two, or three years."

It's been a lean year for Mordente on the club front as well.

Benetton are still reeling from a points deduction which prevented them from taking part in last season's Lega A play-offs.

That also knocked them out of the Euroleague, which led to a player exodus and the departure of coach David Blatt.

Benetton, after Sunday's setback at Lottomatica Roma, are third bottom of the standings.

"We have another nine games," Mordente said.

"We have to take it game by game, not give up and try to stay together and win as many games as we can."