Turkish NT for EC2009

[rikhardur]

Nilsen: A Mature Turkoglu Looking To Go One Better

One major star who will travel to EuroBasket 2009 in Poland later this year determined to make up for past disappointments at previous tournaments is Hidayet Turkoglu - the heartbeat of the Turkish National Team.


The Orlando Magic player produced some sensational individual performances at EuroBasket 2007 in Spain but couldn't prevent Turkey from underachieving again having also fallen short of expectations at EuroBasket in 2005.

Now on the verge of celebrating his 30th birthday later this month and having made his international debut a decade ago, ‘Hedo' is now relishing having to shoulder the on-court responsibility of overseeing what many hope will be an exciting new era for Turkish basketball.

That was no more evident than during last year's qualification when Turkey emerged with an exemplary 6-0 record and as the only team to remain unbeaten with the versatile NBA star instrumental in that particular success.

While unrealistic expectation always remains a danger, that weighty dose of genuine Eastern promise last year means that things are shaping up quite nicely according to the man from Istanbul who will lead his country out in Wroclaw.

"It feels great, being a captain I get to take on an important role to help the team." explained Turkoglu.

"I was trying to lead them and make things happen to find the chemistry. I'm just happy it worked out well and we are on a good track right now."

"I really don't know where we will finish but we are going to try our best. We have a young team and we have a good chance right now so we are going to try our best to finish as high as we can. "

"Hopefully things work out well and we finish as the top team."

While Turkey may have shown during qualifying that they are not a team to be taken lightly by any of the tournament favourites, particularly after completing a double over the likes of France, ‘Hedo' was quick to dismiss any talk of Group D being one of the easier of the groups.

Indeed with his vast experience, he is more than wise enough to insist from the outset that the Group stage will pose a significant challenge.

"I don't think it is (easy) because in the European Championship every team comes with one thing in mind and that's to win the title. "

"We take every game seriously, like we are playing in the finals."

"Poland plays at home, Lithuania has been in the European Championship, and Bulgaria is one of the teams that is on the rise so we just have to take care of our job."

If Turkey are to progress and to finally make the kind of impression that they crave then it won't just be Turkoglu who will have to show his vast talent and perform in Poland.

Much will also rest on the much younger shoulders of Ersan Ilyasova of Barcelona who averaged a blistering 13 points and almost 8 boards per game during qualifying. That meant that the forward took most of the plaudits while Turkoglu was only happy to add to them by tipping his team-mate to join him in the NBA.

"He has been good all his career and he played good in qualification so hopefully he can keep improving."

"He will get to the NBA one day but it's really all on him."

"As long as he keeps working hard and improving he will get there one day so I wish him the best."

Already idolised by the Turkish fans, ‘Hedo' certainly raised not just his own but also the profile of his country generally last season when he was handed the accolade of Most Improved Player in the NBA after a stunning season for the Magic.

Most had predicted that there was no way he could continue playing to that level but he has barely dropped below it during the current campaign to continue flying the flag for his country by averaging an impressive 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

While his many supporters avidly follow his progress in Florida, the player himself has also spoken of the importance of those fans who he expects to make a big difference to the team in Poland.

Not only that, but 'Hedo' is also already preparing for what promises to be a dream homecoming for him next year in the 2010 FIBA World Championships when he is hoping that the team and the tournament will be cause for celebration across the nation.

"We need our fans especially in Poland, so hopefully they will be there cheering for us."

"We will get them behind us, start rolling with them and hopefully we will get a victory."

"Hopefully everything will work out next year, we will host it and it will be a really good experience for the whole country."

"Hopefully we will have a good team and make a big impact over there."

With the outlook on the court for both the Magic and Turkey looking bright, the only reason for any sleepless nights is the recent arrival of baby daughter Ela. Quite a way to celebrate the start of 2009 and you wouldn't bet against the all action star having more cause for celebration later in the year.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_M5ZfFqinGb-TL,DbfQpK93.articleMode_on.container_frontpage.htm l

[rikhardur]

Nilsen: Kerem Gönlüm, The Unsung Hero

For the millions of ball fans living in Turkey and those true connisseurs of Euroleague basketball, Kerem Gönlüm needs little introduction.

However for those outside of that bracket who only know the likes of Turkoglu, Okur and Ilyasova from the Turkey National team, the message is simple - overlook this vastly underrated forward at your peril.

Having played all his career in his own country with only the occassional midweek jaunt overseas during Euroleague, Gönlüm has remained pretty much under the radar and is arguably one of the best kept secrets out there.

True, that may seem a little ludicrous to some of you 'in the know', but if you ask about Gönlüm elsewhere in Europe, you are likely to be met by a blank expression and shrug of the shoulders or maybe occassionally, a smile and approving nod of the head from someone who really does know their stuff.

Rather fittingly, the Efes Pilsen man hails from Eskisehir, a place also not so well known outside of Turkey but in spite of all of this, Kerem Gönlüm could be about to put both himself and his country firmly on the map by the time EuroBasket 2009 in Poland has ended.

Having enjoyed another season packed full of impressive performances both in Euroleague and the TBL, he is a player that just keeps getting better with age. During a perfect qualifying round for the National Team, he averaged almost 11 points and over 7 rebounds per game in 25 minutes, smartly operating both in the shadow of and also in tandem with Ilyasova.

Having also lighted it up for Efes in Euroleague, it seemed like the perfect time to catch up with someone ready to show there is more to the Turkish National team than merely those that have tasted NBA action.

FIBA Europe: Hi Kerem, congratulations on another impressive season. You seem to keep getting better with age and adding new dimensions to your game. Has this been your best season yet as an individual player?

Kerem Gönlüm: Thank you very much. Every year I am improving my basketball. I am working very hard. This year especially, our coach Ergin Ataman's trust in me has helped me to have a good season for my career. I can say that this is the best season I have ever had in my life!

FIBA Europe: Do you wish you had got into basketball sooner as a kid and got that extra coaching or do you think starting much later and learning as a professional has kept your passion for the game and willingness to learn even more. It looks like you are making up for lost time and enjoying it?

Kerem Gönlüm: If I have started earlier and had the chance to be coached more than I have been, I would be a different player. As I said, I am working very hard to improve my basketball.

FIBA Europe: When you get to Poland , you will be ready to play in your fourth EuroBasket tournament with the National Team. Tell us your memories and feelings as a player and team looking back at the first three European championships.

Kerem Gönlüm: Indeed the first three championships did not leave good memories for me. They were not the ones that we were succesful enough. I wish that in Poland, both individually and as a team, we are going have a good tournament. Also we showed that we can do this during the qualification games.

FIBA Europe: When people talk about the Turkey National Team there is always talk of the surprise performance at the 2006 FIBA World Championships because some of the biggest stars were missing and this is compared to disappointments at other tournaments when the star names were playing. You played in all of those teams and saw both sides of this coin. Was it down to chemistry or just one of those things that is difficult to explain?

Kerem Gönlüm: The 2006 World Championships were really excellent. As a team we fought very well. Maybe we did not have so many stars but every player in the team played with his heart and we grabbed the 6th place. The important thing is to fight and to play with your heart in the National team.

FIBA Europe: The balance of the team seems quite good now and you played well together in the qualifying round last year. What will be important for the team and for you as an individual player between now and the tournament tip-off?

Kerem Gönlüm: Now there are still four or five more months. It is difficult to predict how the National team players will come together for the tournament but in Poland everybody will see a Turkish National Team fighting as we did in those qualification games.

FIBA Europe: Poland, Bulgaria and Lithuania. What do you know about those teams and how do you feel about your qualifying group?

Kerem Gönlüm: It is a difficult group in my point of view. As everybody knows, Lithuania is a big team. Poland has the advantage of the home court. Bulgaria maybe does not have stars but has a deep team spirit. Difficult games are definately waiting for us...

FIBA Europe: At Efes Pilsen you have been on an incredible run in the Turkish league but couldn't make the club's Euroleague dreams come true. What went wrong this season in Europe because you started pretty well!

Kerem Gönlüm: At the beginning of this season as with every year, a team is established with a goal to play in the Final Four. We had the disadvantage of being a new team. We were a very good team consisting of 12 very good players but the adaptation period lasted a little bit too long and consequently we could not achieve our aim in Euroleague.

FIBA Europe: You have played for some famous clubs but not outside of your own country. Do you think that you might look back at the end of your career and wish you had experienced playing for a big team in another country in Euroleague?

Kerem Gönlüm: I am playing at Efes Pilsen for four years. Previously I played for different teams but I am very happy here. My contract is ending at the end of this season. I do not know how the conditions that will be formed but I am very happy to be here because I have improved my basketball at Efes Pilsen.

FIBA Europe: When we spoke to Hedo Turkoglu earlier this year we talked about Turkey hosting the FIBA World Championships. Of course he is on the other side of the Atlantic so as a player who is based in Turkey maybe experiencing this every day, tell us your feelings about what the tournament means to you and everyone in Turkish basketball. I guess that this will be an important 18 months for everyone involved?

Kerem Gönlüm: Indeed, Turkey has been preparing for this tournament for 4-5 years. It is a very important championship with very important basketball countries and players who will all come to our country. For myself, it will be very interesting and makes me excited. We are all waiting for this Championship.

FIBA Europe: Finally Kerem, can you give advice to any guys out there who think because of their age it is too late to get a break and make it into this game we all love. You are proof that even if you start late you can reach the top of your profession and play for your country.

Kerem Gönlüm: Thank you very much again. You can learn anything at any age. Only let us not lose our hopes and realise them if we work hard enough. Young players should think of it like this. They must believe that they can succeed. This is often enough.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_e8T9GKdwGH-Uq2sfeNI063.articleMode_on.container_frontpage.htm l

[ozziem]

I wish Tanjevic doesn't make bad chose.
I think Memo must be added the squad. He is the best center in eyropa after Gasol but he isn't in Turkey squad. what a stupid!! Turkey has a chance. We have the best squad after having 2 nd place in 2001 in İstanbul. Tanjevic must consider these factors.

Memo+Hedo+Ersan-->They must be played together. With them onlyu we can be CHAMPİON.

[Levenspiel]

Mehmet Okur talks about NT

Okur hinted that he may not join the team for Eurobasket this summer. He complained that his role in the national team doesn't match his game style.

Here are a few sentences I quick-translated from his interview at ntvspor.

"I'm not happy for sure. I'm not being used in an effective manner, and still it's always me, the scapegoat, in front of the press and the public. Everyone expects Memo of NBA, but I'm not being used in the same manner in NT. If they want me to play like a traditional low-post center, there are other guys who can do that better."

"I don't believe Tanjevic's statements appeared in media about me were true. He may not find my game useful for the NT, but he will not speak about me like that."

"I won't expect any change in Tanjevic's or the federation's attitude this summer. Besides, I have a serious injury at the moment. My dad is ill. I cannot spend enough quality time with my family during NBA season. So, when all these are considered, i don't want to live through the same disappointments after spending two months of my summer in an environment that I don't believe I can be useful."

http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/id/24966143/

[rikhardur]

Well it's probably better he won't play...

[ARdaQue]

Coach Bogdan Tanjevic will choose the players of Turkish National Basketball Team for Eurobasket 2009; but I want to write the dream roster (15 players) of Turkey which lots of Turkish citizens want.

Point Guards
Kerem TUNCERI Efes Pilsen Istanbul 1.90 cm.
Ender ARSLAN Efes Pilsen Istanbul 1.87 cm.
Tutku ACIK Turk Telekom Ankara 1.95 cm.


Shooting Guards
Omer ONAN Ulker Istanbul 1.92 cm.
Serkan ERDOGAN Turk Telekom Ankara 1.90 cm.
Cenk AKYOL Efes Pilsen Istanbul 2.00 cm.


Small Forwards
Hidayet TURKOGLU Orlando Magic 2.07 cm.
Cevher OZER Besiktas Istanbul 2.05 cm.


Power Forwards
Ersan ILYASOVA AXA Regal Barcelona 2.07 cm.
Mirsad TURKCAN Ulker Istanbul 2.07 cm.
Kerem GONLUM Efes Pilsen Istanbul 2.09 cm.


Centers
Mehmet OKUR Utah Jazz 2.10 cm.
Kaya PEKER Efes Pilsen Istanbul 2.07 cm.
Oguz SAVAS Ulker Istanbul 2.08 cm.
Omer ASIK Ulker Istanbul 2.12 cm.

[Levenspiel]

I can see that's a dream roster really :). No way Tanjevic will call some of these guys.

Cevher Ozer, Tutku Acik and Omer Asik would be extremely nice additions. I pray he will get rid of Ender Arslan and Cenk Akyol this time.

[pata]

Forget about Serkan Erdogan and Mehmet Okur.Also didn't Mirsad retired from NT?

And Sinan Guler should be in the team..He had nice play-offs with Efes Pilsen.

[TB-Fan]

Fatih Solak (Aliağa Petkim)
Cevher Özer (Beşiktaş Cola Turka)
Barış Hersek (Darüşşaka)
Ender Arslan, Engin Atsür, Kerem Gönlüm, Kerem Tunçeri, Sinan Güler (Efes Pilsen)
Oğuz Savaş, Ömer Aşık, Ömer Onan, Semih Erden (Fenerbahçe Ülker)
Cemal Nalga, Evrem Büker (Galatasaray Cafe Crown)
Hidayet Türkoğlu (Orlando Magic)
Ersan İlyasova (Barcelona)
Bekir Yarangüme (Türk Telekom)


17 players. No Cenk Akyol and no Memo. Suprises: Evren Büker, Cevher and Bekir.

[Levenspiel]

No Kaya Peker, nor Tutku Acik... Engin is there, though...

I think he called Bekir (normally a SF) just to provide another option for the lack of scorer SG. I believe he'll be cut in the end though.

The final roster should be something like this:

K.Tunceri/E.Arslan
O.Onan/S.Guler
H.Turkoglu/C.Ozer
E.Ilyasova/K.Gonlum
O.Asik/O.Savas/S.Erden

+1 player

[phonix]

Candidate staff

Fatih Solak 2.14 C
Cevher Özer 2.05 S/P F
Barış Hersek 2.06 S/P F
Ender Arslan 1.90 PG
Engin Atsür 1.93 PG
Kerem Gönlüm 2.08 PF
Kerem Tunçeri 1.91 PG
Sinan Güler 1.92 SG
Oğuz Savaş 2.13 C
Ömer Aşık 2.14 C
Ömer Onan 1.94 SG
Semih Erden 2.15 C
Cemal Nalga 2.09 C
Hidayet Türkoğlu 2.08 PG-SG-SF-PF :P
Evren Büker 1.94 SG
Ersan İlyasova 2.06 SF-PF
Bekir Yarengüme 2.00 SF

[Levenspiel]

I can see some inflation there ;)

Semih Erden --> 2.10 m
Fatih Solak --> 2.12 m
Omer Asik --> 2.11 m

[Markoishvili]

This team seriously lacks any kind of offensive punch from perimeter outside of Turkoglu. Hedo will need to carry so much load after already being worn out by grueling NBA season.

I really like frontcourt though. They are all young, talented and athletic, Eurobasket will be a great experience for most of them.

[Worrax]

Candidate staff

Fatih Solak 2.14 C
Cevher Özer 2.05 S/P F
Barış Hersek 2.06 S/P F
Ender Arslan 1.90 PG
Engin Atsür 1.93 PG
Kerem Gönlüm 2.08 PF
Kerem Tunçeri 1.91 PG
Sinan Güler 1.92 SG
Oğuz Savaş 2.13 C
Ömer Aşık 2.14 C
Ömer Onan 1.94 SG
Semih Erden 2.15 C
Cemal Nalga 2.09 C
Hidayet Türkoğlu 2.08 PG-SG-SF-PF :P
Evren Büker 1.94 SG
Ersan İlyasova 2.06 SF-PF
Bekir Yarengüme 2.00 SF

Nearly half of the roster sucks. I'm sick of that stupid duo; Demirel-Tanjevic. This torture must be end. They killed Turkish basketball.

[mktackabery]

OMG I am so DISAPPOINTED with this board. Are any of you watching the GAMES?:confused: Turkey is up 3-0 in Pescara, but God forbid I hear it from you guys, and Atsur scored 26 points in triple OT the other day (http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/langid/1/newsid/30776/arti.html).

You have all failed me. And you call youselves fans? Engin is going to surprise you all, my unfaithful fair-weather unobsessed not-truly basketball fanatics. If I go to Turkey next year, I'll probably be the loudest cheerer. How sad.

Now please, go forth and send back some reports for goodness' sake. My Turkish sucks and none of you are reporting anything!!!! Who cares how tall they are? How are they playing?

[TB-Fan]

Turkey fınished 3. in Pescara.İn the last game against Italy Engın had again 20 Points and 5 assists. :) Great performance after that bad season for him. He will be our starting PG again in Poland.

[mktackabery]

Turkey fınished 3. in Pescara.İn the last game against Italy Engın had again 20 Points and 5 assists. :) Great performance after that bad season for him. He will be our starting PG again in Poland.
Thank you. ;) I'll try to hold back my wrath, but I expect better from you guys. Sigh. It's not like Eurobasket is on primetime over here you know. Wolfpack Nation is counting on you!

:pWell, I am, anyway. Congrats to Turkey on getting the bronze. Looks like Eurobasket is really going to be interesting.

[rikhardur]

Turkoglu Says Thanks For The Support

Hedo Turkoglu is taking a well-earned holiday with his family back in Turkey before joining up with the national side to prepare for the EuroBasket.

Coming off an exciting campaign that culminated with a trip to the NBA Finals with the Orlando Magic, Turkoglu was one of the most sought after players in the league.

He opted to leave the Magic and signed for the Toronto Raptors.

Turkoglu held a short press conference not long after flying to Turkey from the United States before taking a holiday with his family.

"My family and I were happy to return to my country," Turkoglu said.

"Before going on vacation, I wanted to take time to meet you. Throughout the season, I have had incredible support ... I want to thank you all."

Turkoglu explained why he signed with Toronto instead of the Portland Trail Blazers, a team that aggressively pursued him.

"First we talked with the Portland Trail Blazers," he said. "It is a young and successful team. Then I went to the Toronto Raptors.

"The basketball, and the city are attractive to me. My style of playing basketball is very similar to theirs. That is why I preferred Toronto. I thought I could continue with the same success."

Now Turkoglu can fully focus on helping Turkey in a crucial summer at the EuroBasket before they host the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Turkey will play in EuroBasket Group D with Lithuania, Bulgaria and EuroBasket hosts Poland.

"The next two years are very important for Turkish basketball," he said.

"This year the European Championship will be held in Poland and in 2010, to be held in our country, the World Basketball Championship is very important."
http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_0FsCAwYuGAcwcofgJIFPL3.articleMode_on.contain er_frontpage.html

[Levenspiel]

Fatih Solak (Aliağa Petkim)
Cevher Özer (Beşiktaş Cola Turka)
Barış Hersek (Darüşşaka)
Ender Arslan, Engin Atsür, Kerem Gönlüm, Kerem Tunçeri, Sinan Güler (Efes Pilsen)
Oğuz Savaş, Ömer Aşık, Ömer Onan, Semih Erden (Fenerbahçe Ülker)
Cemal Nalga, Evren Büker (Galatasaray Cafe Crown)
Hidayet Türkoğlu (Orlando Magic)
Ersan İlyasova (Barcelona)
Bekir Yarangüme (Türk Telekom)

Cevher and Cemal are out of the roster because of their injuries. It's a pity, I was expecting so much from Cevher...

[GSBasket]

Additions;

Umit Sonkol
Ersin Gorkem

[ozziem]

Turkey missed good oportunity. Mehmet okur must have been added the squad. If he hav been added, Turkey would have had a chance to be champion.
and Mirsad also wasn't chosen by Tanjevic. I really don't understand him. Mirsad is still one of the greatest PF in Europa. His character is very suitable for national team.

[Picek]

Mirsad is still one of the greatest PF in Europa. His character is very suitable for national team.
didn't Mirsad starta fight in NT few years back?

[Worrax]

didn't Mirsad starta fight in NT few years back?

He's fighting everywhere with everyone but after Haislip's punch on his eye, he stopped even talking. :D

[Levenspiel]

First preparation game:

Turkey - Angola: 87-84 (in Bormio, Italy)

- O. Savas 14p-6r-5a, O. Onan 12p, E. Arslan, K. Gonlum, E. Atsur 10 points each

- H. Turkoglu, E. Ilyasova, S. Erden did not play.

[mktackabery]

Does anyone know if any of the prep games will be available online?

[rikhardur]

TUR - Turkey aim to make case at EuroBasket

BORMIO (2010 FIBA World Championship/EuroBasket 2009) - As hosts of the 2010 FIBA World Championship, Turkey are alone in heading to EuroBasket 2009 without the pressure of trying to qualify for next year's event.

But that does not mean they will be taking things any easier as they bid to show just what they will be able to do on home soil.

"Turkey will host the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the EuroBasket is important in this sense," center Kerem Gonlum said.

"As hosts in the World Championship, we need to use the EuroBasket to send a message to the world."

Their chances of doing that are good, according to Toronto Raptors star Hedo Turkoglu, who emerged from a training camp in Bormio this week with glowing reports about the spirit in the camp.

"We're like brothers who like each other and can count on each other as a team," he said. "We have a community and we enjoy it together.

"There is an incredible atmosphere in the team and this atmosphere is reflected on and off the court. This can help us to succeed at the EuroBasket."

Those thoughts were echoed by Ender Arslan.

"The experienced players have come together with the young players and there has been really good cohesion," he said.

"To play together and fight together, we are a team, and this makes the job easier."

Turkoglu also believes he and his team-mates are approaching their optical physical conition.

"We've done intensive work in Bormio," he added. "We want to go to the EuroBasket in the best possible condition."

Turkoglu had another monster NBA season, averaging 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Orlando Magic, convincing the Raptors to make a move for him in a blockbuster four-team trade.

Now Turkoglu wants to carry that form over into Poland.

"I had a very good NBA season and I'm happy about that," he said. "Now there's a real excitement about the national team.

"My objective is to perform as well if not better for the national team. With my friends we will work together for success."
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/31350/arti.html

[DEEP ISTANBUL]

TURKEY HISTORICAL RESULTS
FOR GAME ON TOURNAMENT RIVALS

TURKEY VS ISRAEL 24 GAMES 8 WIN 16 LOSE TO AGAINST ISRAEL
TURKEY VS G.BRITAIN 14 GAMES 8 WIN 6 LOSE AGAINST G.BRITAIN
TURKEY VS POLAND 17 GAMES 7 WIN 10 LOSE TO POLAND

THIS GAMES INCLUDES OFFICAL AND FRIENDLY ALL PRIVATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS.

ON EUROBASKET 2009 GROUP RIVALS
AGAINTS LITHUANIA
19 GAMES 5 WIN 14 LOSE
AGAINST BULGARIA
53 GAMES 22 WIN 31 LOSE

TURKEY played on their history from 1936 to 2009
882 games 448 win 434 lose
first game against Greece in istanbul Turkey win 1936

[flyinturk]

Kerem Gonlum has withdrawn from the nt after tested positive for 'cathene,' banned substance which he says he didn't use it.:confused::confused:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=gonlum-tested-positive-for-doping-2009-08-13

[Victorious]

Kerem Gonlum has withdrawn from the nt after tested positive for 'cathene,' banned substance which he says he didn't use it.:confused::confused:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=gonlum-tested-positive-for-doping-2009-08-13

What are the consequences besides his withdrawal from the NT. Any news?

[Konstantinos]

http://www.gameongb.com/news/1433.php

Turkey grabbed the win against Israel, while Savas was the MVP of the game with 22 points. Something goes ..wrong for Serf I think..:rolleyes:

[obe31]

http://www.gameongb.com/news/1433.php

Turkey grabbed the win against Israel, while Savas was the MVP of the game with 22 points. Something goes ..wrong for Serf I think..:rolleyes:

They also beat team GB tonight. I am telling you man i am starting to like this team. I think they have a chance of a medal.
By the way what happend with Tanievic? I picked up the game from the moment he was leaving the arena while the game was still on. Also it wasnt very "friendly".

[Lafayette]

By the way what happend with Tanievic? I picked up the game from the moment he was leaving the arena while the game was still on. Also it wasnt very "friendly".

Turkey coach Bogdan Tanjevic was ejected on two technical fouls for dissent.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/basketball/8203658.stm

[Levenspiel]

What are the consequences besides his withdrawal from the NT. Any news?
Things will be clear in a week, according to ntvspor.

He says he will just return to NT next week because he is sure the confirmative tests will acquit him. I wish he is right.

[zyy]

So, what is up with the Turkish team? How many preparation games has it played yet? How many won? I've heard about wins against GB and Israel, but has Turkey played against stronger opponents? Btw, I like Turkish roster, although it lacks a decent scorer besides Hedo.

[icebreaker]

Is Semih Erden injured? Is he included in the Turkey NT? I hope he improved a lot now because Boston Celtics is really in need of a good big player in the mold of Kevin Garnett.

[Levenspiel]

Is Semih Erden injured? Is he included in the Turkey NT? I hope he improved a lot now because Boston Celtics is really in need of a good big player in the mold of Kevin Garnett.
Then I'm sorry for the Celtics. Semih Erden has not improved at all as far as I could see. If it was not for Tanjevic, probably he would not make the national team.

[Levenspiel]

So, what is up with the Turkish team? How many preparation games has it played yet? How many won? I've heard about wins against GB and Israel, but has Turkey played against stronger opponents? Btw, I like Turkish roster, although it lacks a decent scorer besides Hedo.
They will play against Croatia these days, and that will be the first major opponent.

So far they have beaten Poland, GB, Israel, and previously Angola I think. And lost to Rhodesia :D.

[turk-jugoslav]

i've been watching turkish basketball team in television and i can say 'not good at all'.we lost to germany and dirk nowitzki ouldn't play for germany!terrible team.hidayet türkoğlu is playin good but others... oğuz savaş,ömer aşık are stiff.ender arslan has no basketball i.q.i think turkish basketball team can't goes to quarter finals.spain is %100 favourite team.

[Dogukan Zorbey]

I watched latest preparation games of Turkish National team.
Turks won against Poland, G.B . However they faced up with realities during to
plays against strong teams such as Croatia and especially Germany.

I found out many of problems at Turkish national team.

1-Team has not out side shooting threat:
At previous generation of Turkish national teams always had have a sharp shooter like Erdenay, Kutluay, Erdogan etc.
Current team has not outside shoot threat. Coach Bogdan Tanjevich made unbelievable decision with
not adding Serkan Erdogan to roster.He was the only sharp shooter in his hand. Of course,
Serkan Erdogan( Former Tau-Ceramica Player) not passed good season last year at Turktelekom.
However , after Kutluay's retirement from NT, he has the only sharp shooter option for SG position.
At SG position, Turks will use Omer Onan and Sinan Guler. They can use also
Engin Atsur. All those players has not shooting talent like Erdogan has.

2-Turkish point guards are not good enough for high level competition:
Kerem Tunceri and Ender Aslan will play at PG position. Both are same type of player.
Same size, quickness and talent. Engin Atsur would be an option at PG position.
It is very obvious that Turkish team has not creative and leader players at this position.
If compare with other NT players such as Calderon,Navarro, Parker, Planinic, Popovic,Spanoulis,
Diamantinidis,Lakovic and Udrih, Turkish team has lack of talent, experience and vision..
Tanjevic should also prefer Tutku Acik at PG position. He is taller and quicker then Tunceri and
Arslan. At least, he could be great option at court vision and ball handling.

3- Team has not natural PF: Coach Tanjevic also not preferred adding to the roaster, Mirsad Turkcan and
Kaya Peker who are the best PF this position. Just after Kerem Gonlum's drug issue , team have to play
without natural PF. ( Ersan Ilyasova and Semih Erden will play at this position )

4- All Turkish Centers are unexperienced:
Turkish team a lot of young talent. Especially at Centre position. Such as Semih Erden, Oguz Savas, Fatih Solak, Omer Asik.
However all those guys have not enough experience at their clubs and National area. Tanjevic
did not able to convince Mehmet Okur playing at National team at this time .
He also not preferred adding to roaster veteran players neither Huseyin Besok ( Who had have great season last year at Galatasaray)
nor Ermal Quqo.
Semih Erden and Omer Asik just recover from injury. Oguz Savas is very slow foot and not athletic player big man.
I guess Fatih Solak will not get enough minutes to help to team during to the European tournament.
Veterans and young generation would be great mixture. Tanjevic preferred to play young but inexperienced players.

5-Coaching factors:
Tanjevic is managing the team like an NBA coach. He is giving almost all players planned minutes.
As we look at the past this kind of game plans is not giving good result for Turkish National Team.
He is not able to make necessary substations according to ongoing game.

Lately to much bad sounds coming against him from Turkish fans and Basketball Authorities.
Considering that after 2001 Turkish National team has almost no success. Unexpected replacement with
former successful National Coach Aydin Ors gives him antipathy.Until that moment, he could not able to give
enough ambition ,emotion and team sprit. If Turkish team can not reach quarter final we can not see him a
t World Championship next year at Turkey.


Conclusion:
For my opinion, Turkish National team almost no chance against Lithuania. If they can win against
Poland it would be big surprise for me. I guess Turkey can barely win against Bulgaria.
At second stage, Turkey has no change against Serbia, Slovenia and Spain either.
If Turkey can be qualify for quarter final would be biggest surprise for this tournament under this circumstances.

[ozziem]

I watched Turkey too and I am not unhopeless. I think Turkey doesn't care this tournament. Players are afraif of being injured. Especially, Hedo.

In poland, Turkey can win over Germany and Crotia.

[Picek]

I think Turkey doesn't care this tournament. then we probably didn't watch the same tournament..

[AirBall]

Tunceri has some finger injury and I just read that his status for the Eurobasket is still uncertain.

Are there any fresh news?

That would be a huge blow for Turkey imo....

[Dogukan Zorbey]

I watched Turkey too and I am not unhopeless. I think Turkey doesn't care this tournament. Players are afraif of being injured. Especially, Hedo.

In poland, Turkey can win over Germany and Crotia.

I wish as you said Ozziem. It is not true. He is not coward:D. If he afraid
of being injured he always afraid.

Indeed, Hedo and Ersan played well time to time. But rest of team is not secronize well. Turkish team has not Emotion and spirit so far. :(

I hope I am totaly wrong.

[flyinturk]

http://www.tbf.org.tr/tbfweb/tbfweb2.nsf/0/6F25384977AF6F21C225726400534D18/$FILE/M%201001.jpg
Kerem Gonlum is out he's watching tournament on tv.tested positive again.

[Big Lebowski]

Best video ever?

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9_xkmRUbKbc&hl=it&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9_xkmRUbKbc&hl=it&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[ArkadiosV2]

I'm pretty sure ozziem is behind this video (script writer, director, lights, sound, music, costumes, casting, montage)

[buzz]

awful! axaxaxaxa

[wyopeq]

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This one is much much better from 2001 i guess.

[Mysh]

Omg!!!!!!!!!

[Big Lebowski]

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This one is much much better from 2001 i guess.
Today I'm melting down youtube watching these clips.

Hey Hedo, the girl told you "not in my house!".

[ataman5]

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This one is much much better from 2001 i guess.

That is way wayy funnier and makes me think of how the fucking time passes that fast oh no:D

Murat Evliyaoğlu, Ufuk Sarıca, Asım Pars, Haluk Yıldırım ohh maann, those were the times Evliyaoğlu making treys from halcourt line LOL:D

[SouL InvictuS]

Are you using same song for ten years? I remember that from some of the youtube videos i use to watch at last world championship.

Can someone translate to english for me please? :rolleyes:

[ozziem]

Are you using same song for ten years? I remember that from some of the youtube videos i use to watch at last world championship.

Can someone translate to english for me please? :rolleyes:

If you say me, say in Turkish, I can't:) Its really hard to understand.
But in everytime "12 Giant man,12 Giant man...) is said.

[Lethalizer]

Well, the lyrics to the song are kind of interesting. I'll translate them for you.

Uh-ah giant men, 12 giant men. Uh ah, giant men. Hey hey, hey hey!

We'll always be with you, we won't leave you alone.

Our hearts are with you, we'll be champions again..(this is the interesting part, we haven't been champions of any official tournament, why the word "again"?)

Still, it's a fun song. It's like the official bball anthem for us :D

[ataman5]

Are you using same song for ten years? I remember that from some of the youtube videos i use to watch at last world championship.

Can someone translate to english for me please? :rolleyes:

Keep saying 12 Giant Men and then

We are always right beside you
Never let you go alone
Our love is always there with you once again
We are gonna be the Champion.:)


Our hearts are with you, we'll be champions again..(this is the interesting part, we haven't been champions of any official tournament, why the word "again"?)


It doesn't say we re gonna be champion ''again'' there is comma before the '' we re gonna be champion'' line, got it? ''again'' is related with the previous one.

[SouL InvictuS]

Well, the lyrics to the song are kind of interesting. I'll translate them for you.

Uh-ah giant men, 12 giant men. Uh ah, giant men. Hey hey, hey hey!

We'll always be with you, we won't leave you alone.

Our hearts are with you, we'll be champions again..(this is the interesting part, we haven't been champions of any official tournament, why the word "again"?)

Still, it's a fun song. It's like the official bball anthem for us :D

Maybe if Turkey win the tournament and this can be your official anthem so you can tell the championship part freely:p.

[Lethalizer]

Maybe if Turkey win the tournament and this can be your official anthem so you can tell the championship part freely:p.

just thought of something though, I think the song wants to say "our hearts are with you once again, we'll be champions".

so, it's my fault. wow, I misunderstood these lyrics for like 8 years. shame on me :D

(edit: I'll explain my mistake. It's like English, where you put the coma changes everything. If you say it like "our hearts are with you, once again we'll be champions." it sounds like we have been champions before. but IF you say it like "our hearts are with you once again, we'll be champions.", it sounds like our hearts are with the team again, not the championship crown. miracles of coma, eh?)

[mktackabery]

[quote=wyopeq;333906]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_0uCJ_Lb1q8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=it&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_0uCJ_Lb1q8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=it&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

It must be a cultural thing because this seeing Engin sing rock and roll is just weird to me. :D But it's no worse than a Nike commercial with hip-hoppers and big Afros, I guess. Do the youngsters in Turkey find this appealing?

I'm old. :p

[Lethalizer]

Keep saying 12 Giant Men and then

We are always right beside you
Never let you go alone
Our love is always there with you once again
We are gonna be the Champion.:)



It doesn't say we re gonna be champion ''again'' there is comma before the '' we re gonna be champion'' line, got it? ''again'' is related with the previous one.

Look at my next post.. :rolleyes:

[Fedfan]

It must be a cultural thing because this seeing Engin sing rock and roll is just weird to me. :D But it's no worse than a Nike commercial with hip-hoppers and big Afros, I guess. Do the youngsters in Turkey find this appealing?

I'm old. :p

waahahhaaaaaa omg!!!believe me you're not alone!:D
Though I believe that they don't find as appealing as funny themselves too.

the guy with the watermelons roflmao..and the old ladies..
is it filmed at the orient express station?

[ataman5]

[quote=wyopeq;333906]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_0uCJ_Lb1q8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=it&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_0uCJ_Lb1q8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=it&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

It must be a cultural thing because this seeing Engin sing rock and roll is just weird to me. :D But it's no worse than a Nike commercial with hip-hoppers and big Afros, I guess. Do the youngsters in Turkey find this appealing?

I'm old. :p

Actually the one you saw here is from 2001, pretty old like you;) Kidding.

For me and i believe most of the people here would have found this commercial very funny and appealing. It symbolizes, from the very old ones to the youngest and to all kinds of people living in our country are together and united for our NT to be succesful. It was long ago, but i still remember how it really affected the people here, young ones, too.

I didn't understand why you found rock n roll song weird. We like especially youngs unlike you ofcourse kidding again:D(don't give your secrets away) listen rock songs a lot. I'm a rocker myself, and the ones creating this song was Athena; a rock band who also represented our country in eurovision and got the 3rd place if i remember correctly.

And the commercial was filmed in Haydarpasa Station not in Orient Express St.

[ArkadiosV2]

the guy with the watermelons roflmao..and the old ladies..is it filmed at the orient express station?
It's Diarbakir station, they sell watermelons form there. They are good.

I'm a rocker myself, and the ones creating this song was Athena
"For real" is my all times favourite Eurovision song

hWLiXb5c-Fg

[ataman5]

It's Diarbakir station, they sell watermelons form there. They are good.

"For real" is my all times favourite Eurovision song

hWLiXb5c-Fg

No it's not Diyarbakır, It's Haydarpasa Station in Istanbul, it's very very old and has an incredible architecture structure with its history.

Love that your one of favorite songs being 'For Real' mine too.:)

[softice]

"For real" is my all times favourite Eurovision song


Mine too!

[mktackabery]

[quote=mktackabery;336128]

I didn't understand why you found rock n roll song weird. We like especially youngs unlike you ofcourse kidding again:D(don't give your secrets away) listen rock songs a lot.

Okay, I' m 43, I still have both feet on this side of the grave and I listen to lots of rock and roll, thank you very much. I guess to me it was weird to see ball players attempting to play drums and sing. Also, right or wrong, in the States basketball is practically tied at the hip to hip-hop and rap music. I suppose that was what I was really asking -- is it cool to show ballplayers fooling around like that? Seemed a bit silly to me. But, if it reaches its audience, who buy a lot of tickets, bravo. And hey -- they are actually smiling!

As you may know, there is a rumor here that Turks don't smile. And in the other commercials I saw, there was not one smile, which doesn't help dispel that rumor much. :)