SAINT-CHAMOND (France) - When Makram Ben Romdhane thinks about his FIBA Basketball World Cup debut nine years ago, he feels a sense of unfinished business.

As a 20 year-old, he was one of the youngest players in the 2010 edition of FIBA's flagship tournament in Turkey, yet, the last thing that crossed his mind when Tunisia faced higher-ranked Slovenia, Brazil, Iran, Croatia and a Kevin Durant-led USA was fear.

"WE HAVE EXPERIENCE, A GOOD TEAM AND THE DETERMINATION TO ACHIEVE GOOD THINGS ON THE WORLD STAGE. WE WON TITLES IN AFRICA, AND NOW IT'S TIME TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT TUNISIA IS A TEAM THAT COMES TO THE WORLD CUP TO WIN GAMES."- Ben Romdhane

Ben Romdhane was excited to show the world why he - along with emerging star Salah Mejri - was one of the rising stars coming from the North Africa region, and his determination paid off soon after.

He not only led his country in scoring with a team-high 12 points in five games, but he also felt that he belonged in the World Cup fraternity. 

And even tough Tunisia retuned home empty-handed after five defeats in as many games in the 2010 Turkey showdown, Ben Romdhane believes things could be a lot better when they open their World Cup's Group C campaign in Guangzhou, China, against Spain, Iran and Puerto Rico. 

"Tunisia’s basketball grew up a lot from the 2010 Turkey experience," he said to FIBA.basketball.

Despite the outcome,  Ben Romdhane noted: "It was a positive experience for all of us that weren’t used to competing at the world stage. Some of the players that competed there are also going to be here this summer, and it’s going to be a great experience for all of us this summer. Playing at the World stage is not something that happens every day, and we have to make the most out of the opportunity."

Assessing Tunisia's Group Phase opponents, the 30-year-old insisted that "It’s a good draw with one team that is the favourite, Spain. And three others that are going to fight for the second spot of the group. Anything is possible, but the experience and the roster that the Spanish team is going to bring is going to be, I am pretty sure about it, very competitive. Puerto Rico is also a very good team, and Iran has a solid basketball team, so it will be a very tight battle for the second spot to qualify for the next round."

Makram Ben Romdhane is seen here during a game against Iran, a team they will face in the Group C in China 

And although it's still early to set out goals and game plans, Ben Romdhane, who is on the books of Saint-Chamond Basket in France's PRO B, feels that Tunisia will look to to try and reach the Second Round.

If they do advance, it'll mean that they would have won their first-ever World Cup game: "We have the potential to get a spot for the next round. We have experience, a good team and the determination to achieve good things on the world stage. We won titles in Africa, and now it’s time to show to the world that Tunisia is a team that comes to the World Cup to win games and try to have a good campaign."

The reigning African champions qualified to the 32-nation World Cup on the back of a 10-2 mark. Defeats to China-bound Angola followed by a loss against Egypt in the last window of the African Qualifiers haven't hurt the Tunisian's focus, because, Ben Romdhane believes, they are like a united family: "Everyone has everyone’s back, and we play as one all the time. We have been building this chemistry, this unity for years now, and that is one of our biggest strength.

"We are together, no matter the game is going well or not, and we work as a team all the time. That has been the key of our success in the last decade, and we play with a lot of pride to make our fans and fellow compatriots happy. Our team spirit is very important for all of us, and knowing that you can count on each and every teammate or person from the staff is such a great thing."

Yet looking back at his FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010, the 2.04m (6ft8in) recalls that it was a learning experienced that helped shape his game.

"It was tough to lose the five games we played, but playing against Slovenia, Croatia, Iran and Team USA was an unique experience. It’s something that makes you grow as a player as you compete against the best guys and teams in the world. It was very intense, we played against teams that play in different ways and we learned a lot, which is very important, even more for the young guys."

Makram Ben Romdhane averaged 12 points, rebounds and three assists in 12 World Cup Qualifiers games

When asked about his China 2019 expectations, Ben Romdhane didn't hesitate to point the popularity of the game in China. "We all can’t wait to go to China," he said, adding: "The fans are going to be great and the whole atmosphere surrounding the competition will be fantastic. China is a basketball-mad country."

FIBA