BRATISLAVA (FIBA U18 European Championship 2017) - The FIBA U18 European Championship 2017 got underway with an unfortunate twist for Alessandro Pajola in the literal sense of the word.

Having injured his right ankle in Italy's tournament-opener against Ukraine, the team captain had to miss time on the sidelines, but has now returned on the floor to the delight of his teammates and coach Andrea Capobianco, albeit after missing a couple of games.

With one of the team's most experienced players Pajola back in the lineup, the Italian trounced Russia in the Round of 16 with an 82-64 victory after dazing their opponents with a 14-0 run right out of the blocks.

The 18-year-old guard was still a little bit rusty in his 22 minutes on the court, but found ways to be productive in spite of his 2-of-9 shooting night from the field, with 5 points, 6 assists and 3 steals.

"We tried to show our toughness against Russia. I believe that momentum is an important part of the game for us, we try to get better every game and we'll need to be even more focused in the Quarter-Finals," said Pajola after the victory that booked a Quarter-Finals date with Group C winners Lithuania, who knocked out the tournament hosts Slovak Republic.

"I think we have to play our game, like we did against Russia, and we can compete against all of the teams in the tournament. We can't stop the ball and have to stay focused, especially on defense."

"Pajola and Caruso are the glue guys that hold everything together and the ones helping to build the team from within."Andrea CapobiancoAndrea Capobianco

Italian puppet-master Capobianco was already given the green light to use his captain in the last game of Group B against Spain on Tuesday, but opted to hold him out for precautionary reasons with not much on the line standings-wise. That proved to be an excellent decision and Italy got a 68-61 win, regardless.

"Playing without Pajola changed the balance of the team and we had to adjust our way of playing. The other players did a great job of stepping up and filling in for him; I want to thank all of them," the head coach of the Italian national team spoke. "We are very happy to be among the eight best teams and we're now happily going into the Quarter-Finals and we want to play every game."

Now, after transferring Bratislava during the rest day, Italy will face a tough challenge from the Lithuanian team that were runners-up at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2015 silver and won bronze at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2016.

However, they will not be the only ones rocking silverware in Friday's matchup in the Quarter-Finals, with Pajola and his teammate Guglielmo Caruso assembling similar achievements playing with the older 1998-born Italian team.

"Pajola and Caruso are coming off silver medals at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017 in Egypt and have added a lot of experience to the team. They are the glue that holds everything together and the ones helping to build the team from within," coach Capobianco praised both of the locker room leaders.

"I think that there are always things to be learned from what happened in the past. What we achieved in the past carries on and everything – both good and bad moments – are important to build something for the future."

There is no doubt that Italy's continuity, stemming from coach Capobianco's massive input, is going to be a key asset for the team nearing the medal rounds of the FIBA U18 European Championship.

"I know coach Capobianco very well, that's a helpful thing for me and Guglielmo Caruso to have. It's very important that we know how he wants us to play, behave outside the court. It's a big part of our victories," said Pajola, who also won bronze under coach Capobianco's leadership at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2016.

"I've tried to share the experience I had in the last U18 European Championship and U19 Basketball World Cup with my teammates. I am always there for my them. I'm the captain, so I try to help everyone on and off the court."

Back in uniform and ready to help Italy contend for the medals once again, there will hopefully be no more twisted ankles along the way for Pajola.

FIBA