Unbeaten Türkiye not stopping: "We can go all the way"

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RIGA (Latvia) – First things first, Türkiye are back in the Semi-Finals of FIBA EuroBasket, only the second time that they got this far, after claiming silver in 2001.

Secondly, at 23 years and 46 days old, Alperen Sengun became the youngest player to register a triple-double in EuroBasket history, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as they sailed past Poland on the Baltic Sea shore.

Sengun’s triple-double sends Türkiye to second-ever Semi-Final Sengun becomes youngest player to post EuroBasket triple-double

Then, we can discuss what’s the next big thing about this team. The fact that they shot 11-of-26 from beyond the arc in an elimination game?

The notion that this was the first time ever they had seven men in double figures in a single game?

The stat that says they scored 90 or more in five games this summer, which is exactly the same amount as they had over the past 10 EuroBasket tournaments?

Or the idea that these guys are the best passing team here, dishing out 25+ assists in three games in Latvia, more than in their previous 13 tournaments combined?

Sticker ceremony becoming a tradition

However you spin it, the main thing stays the same:

“We can go all the way,” Kenan Sipahi said after reaching the final four phase.

“We’re feeling great, we’re playing great basketball. Everybody was amazing today, everybody helped,” Cedi Osman pitched.

We asked you if this is the best Turkish team of all time the other day, and one of the other options was that generation that played the Final in 2001.

“I was four years old. That’s why I can’t really remember. But I was proud of that team. 12 Giant Men,” Furkan Korkmaz mentioned the legendary 12 Dev Adam lineup.

No longer the only Turkish Semi-Finalists

He thinks now is time for this generation to add only the second medal for Türkiye in EuroBasket history.

“We were calling this golden generation, saying ‘it’s coming, it’s coming, we have time.’ But now, it’s our time. Every day that we step on the court we are showing it. We are not just winning the games, we’re also enjoying the way that we play basketball,” Furkan explained why he’s optimistic.

Compared to the Round of 16 game against Sweden, Türkiye looked way better against Poland. The ball was moving, the shots were falling, and the big guy in the middle was unstoppable.

“When we look back, (Sweden) gave us a warning. We needed to come out with better focus and we did that today,” Cedi Osman looked back.

He also looked forward, as the nation held its breath when Osman fell down in the third quarter and went straight to the locker room, saying that it’s all good and you have nothing to worry about, Türkiye.

“I had a lot of pain, but I was just trying to help the team. We didn’t want to risk. I have three days to rest, I’ll be good.”

Osman is shooting 21-of-41 from beyond the arc in Arena Riga. Shane Larkin is controlling the offense and playing with a lot of patience, while role players like Sehmus Hazer and Ercan Osmani do a lot of stuff that goes unnoticed during the game, and you realize how vital they really were only after rewatching the game film.

As for the triple-double hero, no need to rewatch anything. Alperen Sengun is so good, it’s a greater joy to watch him walk than to see others sprint.

“(Coach Ataman) is using me really well. He puts me everywhere, and that’s who I am. I’m a team player. I’m gonna do whatever it takes to win. If it’s defense, it’s defense. If it’s offense, it’s offense, I don’t care. Whatever he tells me, I’ll do it,” Sengun offered.

Dangerous smile if you’re on the other side

He spent time talking to Turkish media, then Greek media, then Serbian media, then Polish media, spending nearly half an hour after the game in the mixed zone.

“He’s a really smart guy. He loves playing basketball, he’s enjoying it, and he’s helping us a lot. But we’re using him really well, it’s not like we’re giving him the ball and just waiting for him to do something. When we’re feeding him like this, we really can go all the way,” Sipahi said.

Now, it’s down to a final four tournament of a sort. Good thing they have the man who made winning final fours a habit.

“These opportunities don’t come by every single year. This tournament doesn’t come around every single year. More than anything, just appreciate the moment. Just be present, don’t let the moment be too big for what it is,” Larkin described what he’ll preach to his teammates, adding:

“This is one of the greatest achievements of my career thus far, being able to come in and be a part of this. I’m very excited for it.”

Flight #0 prepared for take off

They are at 7-0 in EuroBasket 2025. Since the start of this millennium, only Yugoslavia (6-0 in 2001), Lithuania (6-0 in 2003) and Slovenia (9-0 in 2017) managed to sweep the field; Luka Doncic, Goran Dragic and others being the only team to do it since this competition format was introduced.

Just mentioning it, in case you need that piece of info on Sunday.

FIBA

Unbeaten Türkiye not stopping: “We can go all the way”

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