HERAKLION (2015 FIBA U19 World Championship) - One might think that losing games by an average of 41.3 points would be deflating. But Tunisia are using every game at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship as a valuable learning experience. 

Tunisia are back at the U19 Worlds for the second time - the first time since finishing 16th (out of 16) teams and winless at the 2011 edition. 

After the country lost all five of their games four years ago, Tunisia's first goal is to collect their first U19 victory. That has not worked thus far in Heraklion, losing by 27 points to Italy, 57 against Canada, 29 to Australia and 52 versus Greece.

Tunisia still have three chances for the win as they enter the Classification 9-16 round, starting with their game against fellow Africans Egypt.

Our target is to win at least one game. We have never won a game at the U19 World Championship. - Gannouni

Tunisia forward Achref Gannouni said playing against the likes of European teams as well as strong basketball programs such as Canada and Australia has already improved the current Tunisia team and their players.

"We came here to learn by playing against a high level of basketball, playing teams better than in Africa. In Africa, our basketball is at a medium level. We will only get better in Africa if we play against Canada, Australia and Italy. That will make us better next year," Gannouni said.

"We are already improving and are making fewer mistakes as we try to play good basketball."

Besides playing against European and North American teams or Australia, another way for Tunisians to get better is to play abroad - something that Gannouni is doing. 

The Tunis native attended a high school in St Louis in the United States and played basketball there before leaving because his English skills were not strong enough for the schooling. 

Gannouni ended up moving to the Canarias Basketball Academy in Spain - an intensive basketball training and academic institution which has sent numerous international players to college in the United States.

"It's hard work. There are five practices a day but they are good and hard practices," said Gannouni, who has been with the CBA for three months.

Gannouni believes more Tunisians will take his lead and attend high school or college in the United States or other high level institutions away from Northern Africa.

"But they need to have good English. It’s a good opportunity to play in the States."

FIBA