HERAKLION (2015 FIBA U19 World Championship) - Simone Pianigiani had to be happy about Italy’s overtime victory over Spain in the Classification 5-8 round of the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship.

Even though the Italian senior national team coach was no longer in Greece, he said Italian sides should play with the same team spirit until the end of a game.

Italy trailed Spain by 24 points after three quarters of Saturday's contest, but fought back to tie the score at the end of regulation before winning 83-77 in overtime to reach Sunday's fifth-place game, where they will take on Canada.

It will be Italy's best result at the U19 Worlds since finishing second in 1991. All told, Italy last played at the competition in 1995.

For young players, this kind of competition helps them understand what it's like to play for their country and maintain the desire. - Pianigiani

"They are playing with a good attitude and team spirit, and I like that. After 20 years of not being here, it was very important for us to be here," said Pianigiani, who was in Heraklion on Tuesday and Wednesday to observe the 1996- and 1997-born generations of Italian players.

"It's important to compete. When you are in the top eight teams at a World Championship and you are able to show that you can compete this is more important."

Even before the Italians lost to the United States in the Quarter-Finals and moved into Classification 5-8 round, Pianigiani also stressed the importance of maintaining the focus level until the end of the tournament. 

"In this kind of competition you have to maintain your focus when you are tired, when you are physically not perfect because you are playing every day," he explained.

"This is good to see top players who have talent but at this age who are also mentally strong to play at their limit and play until the end."

FIBA