By Semih Tuna/ info@eurohoops.net
Riga, Latvia – Following a five-game perfect run in the preliminary round of EuroBasket 2025, Turkiye entered the bracket of the knockout stage as the top seed of Group A. Switching to a win-or-go-home format, the next opponent is Sweden on Saturday, with tip-off at noon local time, as recently announced.
The selector of the senior national team, Ergin Ataman, was frustrated with playing such a key game so early.
“I don’t like the disrespect of FIBA against us, against the first team in the group, which finished the group unbeaten,” he told reporters during practice in Riga on Friday, “We must play the game earlier at 12 o’clock tomorrow. It’s ridiculous. We have been here 15 days, and we play the most important game in the knockout stage, an elimination game, at 12 o’clock.”
“Everybody must know, even if we play three in the morning, nobody can stop our goal to advance to the medal stage,” stressed the 59-year-old tactician.
Pool play was highlighted by a win over Serbia in Xiaomi Arena on Wednesday.
“At this moment, I only dream about advancing to the medal stage. The game against Serbia is over. Now, I focus only on the national team to win tomorrow against Sweden and advance to the Quarterfinals,” said Ataman.
“We saw the potential in our team. Actually, I know this potential, but in all those games we played perfectly, excellent defense, in offense we moved the ball very well, we always shared the ball. Especially against the favorite of this EuroBasket, Serbia, we played an amazing game,” he continued, “We are ready for the Top 16 game and I hope the Quarterfinal, and to advance to the Final.”
Photo Credit: FIBA