By Semih Tuna/ info@eurohoops.net
Riga, Latvia – After Turkiye edged out Sweden to open the Round of 16 of EuroBasket 2025, head coach Ergin Ataman talked about the impact of tip-off at noon local time.
The 59-year-old tactician previously visited the issue before the Round of 16 contest.
“Of course, everybody now thinks Turkiye is one of the favorites, but this kind of game is very dangerous, especially if we play in the morning,” he said in the postgame press conference, “Last time I played basketball at this time, again it was in FIBA, in 2022, a game in Berlin we played at 12 o’clock. Before that, it was when I was coaching the junior team.”
“For us, it was very difficult,” added Ataman, “For that reason, the last two days I always complained, complained. Because this is a very high-level competition, a very high level of basketball is played in this EuroBasket. For me, it is very difficult to understand this mentality.”
His side did not lead until midway in the third quarter and later mishandled a double-digit cushion before pulling away down the stretch.
“We didn’t wake up for the beginning of the game. After we understood we were in a difficult situation, in the third quarter, and came back in the game with very good defense, but we gave back this confidence to Sweden,” described the Turkish head coach, “Finally, we found a way to win. Now, we will think about the Quarterfinal, which I think we will play in regular time, if they don’t want to change again and play in the morning at 11 o’clock.”
“They bring us so early for such an important game,” he previously mentioned in a postgame interview with Turkish TRT, “Anyway, they did not succeed, we continue in EuroBasket.”
The early tip-off discussion extended to Cedi Osman.
“I think for me there is no reason to say anything about the time. Coach said everything already. The only thing I don’t understand is how it is possible to finish the group first and still play the earliest,” said the 30-year-old forward.
“Time to change some things”
Another issue stressed by Ataman was roster restrictions allowing 12 eligible players for the final stage of FIBA tournaments.
“I believe that FIBA must think about some progress in this tournament, not only in the start time. As you know, there are some teams playing with ten players on the roster or nine players. Why? Because you give them 12 players at the beginning of the tournament, and after three weeks, you must play with them. There are some injuries. Maybe some teams will be forced to play in the final week with eight players,” he mentioned.
“It’s time to change some things,” continued Ataman, “To change this regulation and have 14-15 players. To change this system with games at 12 o’clock. We are here for three weeks, one and a half months we work for this, why not give two more days for everybody and people watching on TV?”
Photo Credit: FIBA