SAPPORO -- Argentina, Spain and Germany are countries known more for soccer than basketball, and Italy is in the same boat.
But like the Argentines, Germans and Spaniards, the Italians are ready to change that perception.
Italy quickly clinched a berth for the final round in Saitama when it opened with wins over China, Slovenia and Senegal in Group D of the FIBA World Championship 2006.
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