Italy enter the Baku 2015 European Games knowing they face a tall task in Group B, where they will face Beach Soccer superpowers Russia and Spain, as well as Hungary.
Only the top two teams will advance to the semi-finals, but Italy nevertheless have high hopes.
"Italy only have one goal in Baku: the podium," the side's Matteo Marrucci told the Olimpiazzurra website.
"In the heart of each of us we know on which step we want to be standing. But it certainly won't be easy."
Russia have won the last two FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups, with Spain providing the opposition in the most recent final.
"This gives you an idea of the difficulty of the group. In the last two summers, however, we have faced both of them more than once and we found that they are not unbeatable. But we must be at the top of our game."
Marrucci also warned that the other team in the group, Hungary, cannot be underestimated.
"They have gone through remarkable growth," said Marrucci.
Before Marrucci and Italy get to take on Russia, Spain and Hungary, they will compete in the European Beach Soccer League. The Italians will face Germany, Greece and Portugal from 12-14 June in the first leg of the competition.
Italian coach Massimiliano Esposito will gather his team from 8-10 June for a final training camp before the European Beach Soccer League competition.
Ten players have been nominated for the Soccer League games - all of them due to play at the Baku 2015 European Games - Francesco Corosiniti, Simone Del Mestre, Michele Di Palma, Gabriele Gori, Simone Marinai, Matteo Marrucci, Paolo Palmacci, Dario Ramacciotti, Stefano Spada, Emmanuele Zurlo.
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