While Italy will face tougher opponents than Tunisia at Euro 2004, Sunday's 4-0 victory in Tunis gave Giovanni Trapattoni's side a timely confidence boost.
The Azzurri are notoriously nervy before major tournaments, having lost their final friendlies before the last three, but they looked in good physical shape on Sunday.
Two years ago a sluggish Italy lost to the Czech Republic in just before the World Cup in South Korea and Japan and for Trapattoni the difference now is evident.
"Remember the condition we were in before leaving for Japan and compare it with how we are now. I feel fine, great in fact," said the Italy coach after Sunday's game.
Despite a few rough challenges from the African champions there were no injuries in the Italian camp and the starting line-up, likely to be Trapattoni's first choice, looked surprisingly fresh.
The one major doubt remains the form of Alessandro Del Piero, who struggled through the second half of the Serie A season.
Del Piero missed a good chance early in the second half and still looks well short of his best.
Trapattoni, though, was keen to encourage the Juventus forward.
"He showed great character and satisfied me fully," said Trapattoni.
"On a tactical level, he worked very hard, tracked back and got involved a lot. When he needed to he passed on to (Christian) Vieri and (Francesco) Totti to make the most of their talents near to goal. You need someone who gives you balance," Trapattoni added.
Despite a successful career with Juventus, Del Piero has never produced his best in World Cups or European Championships and while Trapattoni knows that raising alarms would be counter-productive, pressure is mounting on the coach to choose Roma's Antonio Cassano.
Like Del Piero, Cassano can operate either as a central partner to Vieri, as a replacement for Totti in the hole behind the forwards or on the left flank and on Sunday's showing he certainly looks sharper.
While impressed with Cassano, Trapattoni was keen to play down expectations.
"If you are asking me if he could be the revelation of the tournament, then I will say that in the past I have had players who, used part-time, have been vital," said the Italy coach, indicating that Cassano's impact is most likely to be made from the substitutes' bench.
The other area of doubt is in central midfield where Cristiano Zanetti and Simone Perrotta are well established as the holding players but face a strong challenge from Milan pair Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo.
While Gattuso is almost certain to start on the bench, Pirlo, who scored in Tunisia with a wonderful free kick and produced a few delightful long passes, is certainly in with a shout.
From a tactical point of view it will be tough for Trapattoni to field Pirlo without upsetting the balance of his side. He adds creativity to the midfield but sacrificing Perrotta or Zanetti might leave the defence short of cover.
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