By Stefan Acevski / info@eurohoops.net
Head coach of the Turkish National Team Ergin Ataman made statements ahead of the 2027 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland.
In his interview with TRT Spor, coach Ataman spoke about the importance of having a full roster and about the team’s future goals.
Ataman specifically praised Adem Bona and Alperen Sengun, who made themselves available, and as Ataman stated, they did not come as stars but as part of the team.
“Now, both Alperen and Adem are coming here with great enthusiasm. This is related to their love for basketball and their love for Turkey. These kids have become idols in Turkey, and they come here aware of that. The environment they encounter here is also a family environment. Their teammates embrace them. They come here not with a ‘star’ attitude but as part of the team.
Team captain Cedi Osman is one of the most important players in the Euroleague. In the past, we experienced problems with this, as you know. Sometimes some of our players refused to come, especially during the summer. But both of our players came here at the end of the NBA season. The Euroleague has now become like the NBA. In a season, our players play 80-85 official games. They get very tired, but despite that, they are all here now. This is very important for the team’s current status and goals.”
Ataman continued in the same vein, stating that the USA will not come to the World Championship with their strongest team, and that Turkey’s goal will be the title if they qualify for the tournament.
“When we became the second in Europe, everyone said, “a great success,” but of course, we were proud, but we were sad because we lost in the final. Why were we sad? Because we believe we can be better. That’s why we set a goal for ourselves. That goal is to win a medal and a championship at the World Championship. Now I say championship. Because you know, when we went to the European Championship, a month before, during the press conference, when I said “medal,” everyone smiled. They said, “Ergin Coach says medal, but this team hasn’t even made it to the top eight in 35 years.” I wish I had said, “we will be champions.”
Of course, we need to qualify for the World Championship first, we need to secure that. Everything step by step. But if we qualify, this time I will set the goal as a championship. Apparently, America won’t be coming with those big NBA stars. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain the integrity of this team. Right now, our only focus is to win these two games and go to the matches at the end of August in a more advantageous position.”
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