Italy's Dubravka Dacic has been left out of the 2005 European Championships' qualifying campaign squad because of injury.

Azzurri coach Aldo Corno said he had no choice but to drop one of the players he will be counting on for years to come.

Dacic has been struggling with a foot injury since May and the 2.01m-tall-centre was rated as very doubtful for next month's games.

“It has been a very difficult decision,” admitted Corno on the Italian Basketball Federation website, www.fip.it.

“I am saddened because the national team was focusing on the younger players and we were counting on her.

“She has great talent but unfortunately the physical conditions she had when she arrived did not allow us to work at the highest level.

“We have other young athletes that are motivated and that can earn a place in the team.”

Italy will find it difficult to qualify for next year's tournament as they are placed in a group with 2001 champions France and traditional heavyweights Hungary and Lithuania.