Türkiye win 4 EuroBasket video games for the primary time since 2009

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RIGA (Latvia) – Türkiye had already certified for the Round of 16, and have a recreation in opposition to Serbia coming as much as decide the group winner in Group A, however they didn’t calm down for one second of their matchup with Estonia on Monday.

They took care of enterprise, unfazed by the travelling Estonian followers in Riga, as they received the sport 84-64.

Turning Point

The second half of the primary quarter confirmed how a lot firepower Türkiye have on their roster. With the starters doing their half and Adem Bona brining loads of power of the bench, Ergin Ataman’s males opened up a +12 benefit after 10 minutes and didn’t look again the remainder of the way in which.

Estonia tried making it fascinating with three consecutive triples to finish the third and begin the fourth interval, however they might not crawl into single digit deficits the remainder of the way in which.

TCL Player of the Game

Sure, Ercan Osmani and Adem Bona had nice stretches; positive, three different gamers had been in double figures, however that is Alperen Sengun’s playground.

The massive man was merely wonderful another time, ending with 21 factors, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, making two of his three three-point makes an attempt to get an effectivity score of 30 – precisely his common effectivity score per recreation via these 4 video games.

His large dunk put the sport out of Estonia’s attain halfway via the fourth quarter.

Sengun is now the primary participant to have 20+ factors, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists in three consecutive FIBA EuroBasket video games over the previous 30 years.

Stats Don’t Lie

Türkiye had 5 blocks in a single recreation for the primary time since their encounter with Germany precisely 10 years in the past, and whereas that alone wasn’t the largest benefit trying on the boxscore, the concern issue was apparent.

Estonia solely shot 11-of-30 from contained in the arc, with Bona, Sengun and Omer Yurtseven altering photographs just by being below the rim to make the Estonians suppose twice about capturing over them.

“It’s undeniable that’s one of my biggest strengths, to be able to run, jump, protect the rim, play defensively. I was just excited to be able to display that,” Bona stated about his unimaginable blocks and leaps below each rims.

Bottom Line

The dream begin continues for Türkiye, as they picked up 4 wins in a single FIBA EuroBasket event for the primary time since 2009.

Back then, coach Bogdan Tanjevic led them to a 5-0 begin to the competitors, earlier than dropping the remaining 4 video games and ending eighth in Poland.

With the way in which they’ve been taking part in and dominating in Riga, it seems like they might not solely repeat an elite eight end, however eclipse it and combat for a medal.

As for Estonia, they dropped to 1-3 forward of their closing group part recreation in Latvia. They face Portugal on Wednesday, a win there might be sufficient to ship them to the Round of 16.

They Said

“We are like kids in candy store. This is why we struggle early in the game, and we can’t arrive with that mentality against Portugal. Let’s be honest, this type of level is not an everyday thing for us. We know what our weaknesses are. We need to have the toughness, the mentality to fight more than the other team because we are a little bit smaller. But this underdog mentality, we have to grow bigger than that and start playing more confident from the first minute.” – Estonia head coach Heiko Rannula

“We didn’t show up in the first half. But still some positive things to take for us, and that’s the second half. On Wednesday, we have to be ready, give it our all, and hope the Estonian fans come and give us their support.” – Kaspar Treier, Estonia

“Obviously, Jokic is an amazing player. You can’t predict what he’s gonna do. We just gotta go out there, play our best defense and the rest is gonna handle itself.” – Adem Bona, Türkiye, already centered on the matchup with Serbia to find out the group winner

“I believe that both teams have the same potential. For sure, Serbia has a great roster, but also we showed in all these four games that our roster and our basketball is on the top level. It will be a tough game for the first position in the group.” – Türkiye head coach Ergin Ataman speaking about Wednesday, too

“We will not make anything different for Jokic. We will play our normal defense.” – Coach Ataman, once more

For extra quotes, tune in to the official post-game press convention!

FIBA