TUN - From Germany to Tunisia with an eye on Spain
ABIDJAN (AfroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Defending champions Tunisia may have not had impressive showings in Group B of the Preliminary Round at AfroBasket 2013, but for Ziyed Chennoufi it is a matter of time, as their race for one of three African spots for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup is under control. Tunisia had to wait until the very end ...
ABIDJAN (AfroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Defending champions Tunisia may have not had impressive showings in Group B of the Preliminary Round at AfroBasket 2013, but for Ziyed Chennoufi it is a matter of time, as their race for one of three African spots for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup is under control.
Tunisia had to wait until the very end to beat Morocco on Day 1 and needed overtime to beat Rwanda 83-81 on Sunday.
On Tuesday, they will take on Egypt in the Eight-Finals of the tournament, and Chennoufi says they are ready for the battle.
"For sure, we are here to win to the African Championship, and play in Spain," he told FIBA.com.
"This is a tough competition, but we are going to play hard each game at time, and then we'll see how it works out."
Although Chennoufi is making his debut for Tunisia, he has some international experience.
The 24-year-old was born in Hagen, Germany, and has represented the country at youth categories, including the 2008 U20 European Championship for Men.
Following that tournament held in Romania, Chennoufi suffered a back injury that forced him to sit out for a year-and-half.
Two years ago, he decided to move to Tunisia - the country of his parents - and resumed his basketball career there with Etoile Sportif du Sahel.
Last year, he expected a chance to represent Tunisia at the London Olympics, but head coach Adel Tlatli left him out.
His chance came and Chennoufi can only think of qualifying for Spain 2014.
"I am proud to be representing Tunisia. The competition is good and I hope it keeps improving. We want qualify for the world championship," he explains.
In Abidjan, the site of this year's AfroBasket, it is very common to see Chennoufi shooting three-pointers, and this is an aspect of his game that he excels in.
On Sunday's Group B game against Rwanda, the 2.02m forward hit three three-pointers and contributed 13 points.
"Everyone is at same level," he says of the Tunisian team.
"My role is playing defense first, taking my open shots, and going on the fastbreak.
"I have improved my three-pointer in the past two years, and if I am confident, I usually score."
FIBA