Italy: Bulleri Suffers Injury Blow

04.05.2004

Benetton Treviso guard Massimo Bulleri looks set to miss the last two games of the regular season after aggravating a thigh injury in training.

Benetton, hoping to overtake Montepaschi Siena at the top of the table, have an important game against play-off bound Pompea Napoli as well as a fixture with Lauretana Biella.

Bulleri's absence complicates matters for coach Ettore Messina as he is already without two other guards in Maurice Evans and Tyus Edney.

"It's really a difficult time," admitted Messina. "I fear we will not see Bulleri until the play-offs."
Napoli will be extremely difficult opposition if Benetton are short on guards because of their outstanding Venezuelan international, Oscar Torres.

Bulleri, a key player in Italy's bronze-medal performance in last year's European Championships, is almost certain to be included in Carlo Recalcati's squad for the Olympic Games this summer if he is fit.

He was sidelined for two months with the same thigh problem earlier this year.

Benetton are the reigning Lega A champions and have already qualified for the post-season.