CHEKHOV/VIDNOE (2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship) - Egypt are banking on benefitting from the veteran experience of head coach Sherif Azmy as they search for a victory at the 2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship.

The play-caller was at the helm of the country's senior men's national team that finished 14th at the 1994 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

After defeats in Group B against China and Spain, the Egyptians will need him to harness everything he knows - especially since the task doesn't get any easier with reigning champions USA next on the menu - although Azmy has been encouraged by his team's efforts so far.

"My players have all worked hard for two months and maybe it was just that we didn't quite believe enough that we could actually beat China and Spain," he revealed.

Certainly Egypt were well placed to strike for victory in both of their games, before fading badly down the stretch each time.

"My bench is limited and with six main players, we have a lack of depth," bemoaned Azmy.

"However, my players always show they have a big heart."

On Sunday, one of the players who proved to be an absolute thorn in the side of Spain as Egypt established a healthy third quarter lead, prior to the wheels spinning off, was Raneem Elgedawy.

She poured in a 26 points and added 12 rebounds and would have been justified in feeling aggrieved to have been on the losing side.

However, she was quick to accept that Egypt had suffered a poor final 10 minutes.

"We played very well and enjoyed a good game for three quarters," said Elgedawy, "but then we turned the ball over in the last quarter too much.

"I still think it was an encouraging performance."

FIBA