If Gianmarco Pozzecco's place in Italy's EuroBasket squad was in doubt after his turbulent season at Climamio Bologna, his spot looks secure now after a magnificent effort on Saturday against Croatia.

The point guard was the inspiration for Italy as they fought back from a 16-point deficit to record an 86-75 triumph in the Adriatic Trophy clash.

Trailing 39-23 in the second quarter, Pozzecco scored 10 points in six minutes as the Azzurri closed to within 44-39.

He was on the floor into the third quarter when Italy finally drew level at 55-55.

"Pozzecco increased the tempo and took responsibility in the most difficult moment, when the team needed to raise its level of play," said Italy coach Carlo Recalcati.

'Il Poz' finished with 12 points on five of eight shooting, including one of two from behind the arc.

Pozzecco went into last season in Lega A as one of the country's Olympic heroes having played an instrumental role in Italy's silver-medal winning run.

But, not for the first time, the player's temperamental streak got him in trouble with Climamio Bologna boss Jasmin Repesa and he ended up being suspended for the remainder of the campaign, missing Bologna's triumphant run-in to the Lega A crown.

August has been good for Pozzecco though as he has signed for Russian giants BC Khimki and is poised to deliver Italy again at the EuroBasket in Serbia & Montenegro.

Recalcati had other reasons to be encouraged by the win over Croatia.

Guards Massimo Bulleri and Dante Calabria, and youngsters Angelo Gigli and Stefano Mancinelli all impressed.

"We still have to grow, but we've certainly seen a couple of things we should take with us right to the end," the coach said.

"Bulleri guides the team with more authority, and Gigli and Mancinelli bring freshness, not only athletically but also in terms of ideas.

"That doesn't mean that you always have to do the right thing, but not to stop when you make mistakes as we did in the first half.

"Calabria was crucial as was Pozzecco for us to recover after a very difficult start."

Calabria's buzzer-beating shot at the end of the third quarter gave Italy their first lead at 62-60.

"Now we have to wait for the improvement of (Denis) Marconato and (Gianluca) Basile," Recalcati said.

"We will wait for them and I will continue to make them play in order for them to regain their form."

Center Marconato and shooting guard Basile left their long-time clubs Benetton Treviso and Climamio Bologna, respectively, for Barcelona this summer.

Marconato was just one of four from the field and finished with four points while Basile missed all four of his attempts from behind the arc.

Both are mainstays in the Italy team.