CAIRO (FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017) - Spain last made it to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup Semi-Finals in 1999 - the year the Spaniards won their one and only U19 title. The key to this year's run to the top four has been simple - playing like a team.

Spain booked their ticket to the Semi-Finals after fighting past Argentina 70-58 and will next take on Italy.

"It's great to be back (in semis). We worked so hard to be here right now. I have no words right now. We just want to enjoy this moment and then start thinking about Italy," said Spain's Eric Vila, who had 24 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists in the win over Argentina.

LIKE A GOOD TEAM WE ARE BROTHERS.

When asked what the team is doing to go through the U19 tournament with five wins in five games, Vila said: "I'll make it simple. We are just being a team. That's the key to success and like a good team we are brothers. I love this team and we love each other. We will fight for each other."

Spain struggled in preparation games in the build-up to Cairo, losing against Germany, Italy, Lithuania, France and Canada since June 16. So, what has changed since then?

"Nothing changed," Vila insists. "We did a pretty good job in the preparations. We lost some games but I think we did a pretty good job getting ready. And now we are playing great. We changed our minds and we knew we could win the title. And that is what we are doing."

And what about Italy in the Semis?

"They have a great team of course. they are in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. They are a really, really great team," Vila said.

FIBA