Makram Ben Romdhane (TUN) - Nigeria v Tunisia, Afrobasket 2015, Radès (Tunisia), Group Phase, 23 August 2015
SOUSSE (2016 Rio Olympics) - This past summer, AfroBasket 2015 hosts Tunisia fell short of securing the only automatic place on offer for African teams for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Three months on, Makram Ben Romdhane, the team's leading scorer and rebounder in Rades, feels it is time to move on and get ready for one of the three Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).
SOUSSE (2016 Rio Olympics) - This past summer, AfroBasket 2015 hosts Tunisia fell short of securing the only automatic place on offer for African teams for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Three months on, Makram Ben Romdhane, the team's leading scorer and rebounder in Rades, feels it is time to move on and get ready for one of the three Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).
Tunisia reached the last four undefeated in five games, but facing former continental champions Angola in the Semi-Finals proved too much for the North Africans as they fell 58-51.
"We felt under pressure to win the championship and that proved costly to us," Ben Romdhane said to FIBA.com.
But Tunisia fought back to upset Senegal in the Third-Place Game, which granted them a place in one of the three OQTs.
Now, for the Tunisians - who made their Olympic bow three years ago - it is all about remaining positive and keep dreaming with their consecutive appearance in the Olympics.
"It will be difficult, but not impossible to qualify for the Olympics because we have a good team. We can win games in the OQT," the 26-year-old forward noted.
Although Tunisia lost all five of their games at London 2012, they competed well against top ranked teams. In some cases they only lost by single digits.
We should use the London Olympics as inspiration to play in the OQT. We must stick together in order to win games in the OQT. - Ben Romdhane
Asked about Tunisia's regrouping after Africa's flagship event, Ben Romdhane pointed out the need "to add two or three new players" and, given that, the team "will be alright".
"Michael [Roll] is a talented player that could play a key role for us in the OQT. He's integrated well in the team, and the longer he stays with the team, the better for us and for Michael."
Ben Romdhane, who re-joined Sousse-based Etoile Sportive du Sahel after playing for Egypt's Sporting Alexandria, feels the Tunisians will enter the OQT without any pressure but believes there are lessons to be learned from AfroBasket 2015.
"We lost our biggest chance to qualify for the Rio Games," he said.
"Angola is an experienced team but I don't think they played their best game against us. We managed to come back in the game, but it was too late.
"We spent our energies against Morocco and Mali, and when we got to the Semi-Finals we were exhausted. And with Salah [Mejri] hurt, things got harder for us," he pointed out.
Angola, Tunisia and Senegal grabbed the three spots for the African teams for the OQTs, which will run from 4-10 July.
As for his own game, Ben Romdhane, who was named to the AfroBasket 2015 All-Star Five after averaging 14.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, acknowledges he can do a lot better.
My goal is to become the best player I can be, and I continue to work on my three-point shooting. I currently work with a Serbian personal trainer who helps me in my conditioning as well as my game. - Ben Romdhane
During the frenzy that was AfroBasket 2015, one of hot topics in Tunisia was the fact that Mejri - a key member of Adel Tlatli's team and the MVP of AfroBasket 2011 - became the first country's first place to be signed by an NBA team.
Mejri made the Dallas Mavericks' final roster but is yet to increase his playing time.
"I know he is not playing much but I know he will get his chance," Ben Romdhane said.
"We have to understand that he is new to the NBA and the transition from European basketball to the NBA takes time. He always works hard and I am sure he will make an impact with rebounding and block shots ability."
"We felt under pressure to win the championship and that proved costly to us," Ben Romdhane said to FIBA.com.
But Tunisia fought back to upset Senegal in the Third-Place Game, which granted them a place in one of the three OQTs.
Now, for the Tunisians - who made their Olympic bow three years ago - it is all about remaining positive and keep dreaming with their consecutive appearance in the Olympics.
"It will be difficult, but not impossible to qualify for the Olympics because we have a good team. We can win games in the OQT," the 26-year-old forward noted.
Although Tunisia lost all five of their games at London 2012, they competed well against top ranked teams. In some cases they only lost by single digits.
We should use the London Olympics as inspiration to play in the OQT. We must stick together in order to win games in the OQT. - Ben Romdhane
Asked about Tunisia's regrouping after Africa's flagship event, Ben Romdhane pointed out the need "to add two or three new players" and, given that, the team "will be alright".
"Michael [Roll] is a talented player that could play a key role for us in the OQT. He's integrated well in the team, and the longer he stays with the team, the better for us and for Michael."
Ben Romdhane, who re-joined Sousse-based Etoile Sportive du Sahel after playing for Egypt's Sporting Alexandria, feels the Tunisians will enter the OQT without any pressure but believes there are lessons to be learned from AfroBasket 2015.
"We lost our biggest chance to qualify for the Rio Games," he said.
"Angola is an experienced team but I don't think they played their best game against us. We managed to come back in the game, but it was too late.
"We spent our energies against Morocco and Mali, and when we got to the Semi-Finals we were exhausted. And with Salah [Mejri] hurt, things got harder for us," he pointed out.
Angola, Tunisia and Senegal grabbed the three spots for the African teams for the OQTs, which will run from 4-10 July.
As for his own game, Ben Romdhane, who was named to the AfroBasket 2015 All-Star Five after averaging 14.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, acknowledges he can do a lot better.
My goal is to become the best player I can be, and I continue to work on my three-point shooting. I currently work with a Serbian personal trainer who helps me in my conditioning as well as my game. - Ben Romdhane
During the frenzy that was AfroBasket 2015, one of hot topics in Tunisia was the fact that Mejri - a key member of Adel Tlatli's team and the MVP of AfroBasket 2011 - became the first country's first place to be signed by an NBA team.
Mejri made the Dallas Mavericks' final roster but is yet to increase his playing time.
"I know he is not playing much but I know he will get his chance," Ben Romdhane said.
"We have to understand that he is new to the NBA and the transition from European basketball to the NBA takes time. He always works hard and I am sure he will make an impact with rebounding and block shots ability."
By: FIBA.com
RSS Feed