HERAKLION (2015 FIBA U19 World Championship) - Federico Mussini was expected to be one of Italy’s best players at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship - and one of the top stars at the tournament.

An ankle injury forced him to miss the event but Italy have been able to prevail without him thanks to some strong teamwork. 

Captain Diego Flaccadori has clearly been the leader of the Italian team, but the shooting guard alone could not make up for everything Mussini brought to the table. Instead, a number of players have picked up their game to compensate for his absence. 

And it has worked as Italy started the tournament with two wins, the second over Australia on a last second lay-up by Flaccadori for a 69-67 victory. 

"We played an incredible game. In the fourth quarter, the team's energy won this game," said Flaccadori, who paced Italy with 23 points as well as three rebounds, two assists and two steals. 

But Flaccadori did get help as Ion Lupusor tallied 13 points and Luca Severini had nine points, 14 rebounds and three blocks.

That came a day after four players went for at least 11 points apiece and there were 22 assists in Italy's 89-62 opening day victory over Tunisia.

We are moving the ball very well. Federico is not here but we are playing well. - Flaccadori

The 1.93m small forward added that Italy must play more as a team without Mussini, who was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2014 U18 European Championship.

"Without Federico we may not have as much talent because he can make a shot, pass and dribble. Without him, we have to move the ball more and create more open shots," said the 19-year-old. 

Still, Flaccadori misses having his best friend around. 

"Before we came here, he wrote to me and said we have to win all of our games," he shared.

"He's my best friend, but there are 11 other players here and all of them are my friends too." 

And it's that bond of friends that Italy is relying upon to overcome the absence of the team’s top player.

FIBA