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Türkiye’s National Men’s Basketball Team has made an emphatic entrance into EuroBasket 2025, not just winning games but introducing a bold new identity on the European stage.
1 min read
In the opening week, Türkiye secured commanding victories against Latvia, Czechia, and Portugal with scores exceeding 90 points: Türkiye 93 - Latvia 73, Türkiye 92 - Czechia 78, and Türkiye 95 - Portugal 54.
These results signal a shift from Europe’s traditional low-tempo, defense-heavy style to a faster, more dynamic brand of basketball that blends NBA-level scoring with disciplined defensive structures.
What stands out is not only the volume of points scored but also the way Türkiye maintains defensive intensity while executing high-tempo offense.
The team is not merely reacting to opponents; it is controlling the pace, dictating the rhythm, and shaping the flow of each match.
This approach challenges long-standing European norms and positions Türkiye as a team capable of combining modern offensive creativity with structured defensive principles.
Türkiye’s offensive explosion in EuroBasket 2025 is rooted in the seamless integration of NBA-style scoring and European tactical discipline.
Alperen Sengun has emerged as the centerpiece of this transformation, functioning almost like a point center.
The Houston Rockets star averages 19.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists per game, consistently flirting with triple-double performances.
In the match against Czechia, he narrowly missed becoming only the fourth player in EuroBasket history to record a triple-double, demonstrating his ability to dictate play both inside and on the perimeter.
Supporting Sengun, Cedi Osman has been the team’s most reliable scorer, averaging 23.3 points per game on 57.1% shooting.
His presence stretches defenses and creates opportunities for his teammates.
Kenan Sipahi contributes not only as a scorer but also as a primary facilitator, averaging 8.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game, orchestrating the tempo and ensuring fluid ball movement.
Shane Larkin complements the backcourt by controlling pace, directing transitions, and maintaining rhythm, while Furkan Korkmaz provides a consistent outside shooting threat that keeps opponents wary and prevents defensive collapses.
Together, these players create a system in which offensive creativity is maximized without compromising defensive integrity.
Türkiye’s high-scoring games are not the result of reckless play but the product of calculated ball movement, intelligent spacing, and strategic tempo management.
Every possession is designed to maintain rhythm and pressure, reflecting a deep understanding of modern basketball principles.
Türkiye’s offensive efficiency in EuroBasket 2025 is deeply rooted in defensive discipline. The team’s ability to limit opponents to low scores—Portugal to 54 points, Latvia to 73, and Czechia to 78—demonstrates how defense fuels transition offense and scoring opportunities.
This approach allows Türkiye to control the pace while creating high-percentage chances on both fast breaks and set plays.
At the core of Türkiye’s defensive strength is the team’s collective effort and depth in the frontcourt rotation.
Tall players such as Adem Bona, Omer Faruk Yurtseven, and Ercan Osmani provide constant rim protection, contesting shots and securing rebounds.
This depth allows Türkiye to maintain high-intensity defense throughout the game, preventing opponents from finding easy scoring opportunities inside.
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The team’s commitment to help defense, timely switches, and coordinated rotations ensures that both paint and perimeter are consistently covered, creating numerous turnovers that quickly transition into scoring chances.
Türkiye’s defensive system relies on cohesion and discipline, proving that a well-structured team defense can be as potent as individual shot-blocking or steals.
Additionally, Sehmus Hazer contributes 3.0 steals per game, disrupting ball handlers and initiating fast breaks. Hazer’s anticipation and agility make him one of EuroBasket 2025’s top defensive guards.
Rotational depth extends beyond the frontcourt. Onuralp Bitim, Erkan Yilmaz, and other bench players contribute vital defensive energy, allowing the starters to sustain intensity without fatigue. Kenan Sipahi bridges offense and defense, managing tempo while guiding rotations and defensive schemes.
Every switch, help, and rotation is executed with precision, reflecting a system-based approach rather than reliance on individual talent alone.
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By combining collective defensive effort with strategic rotations, Türkiye creates a dual-threat system where defense directly generates offensive opportunities. Fast breaks, high-pressure traps, and disciplined perimeter coverage consistently disrupt opponents’ rhythm, forcing turnovers that lead to quick scoring.
Türkiye’s approach proves that a high-scoring offense can coexist with strict defensive principles, establishing a modern, balanced basketball identity.
Latvia: Perimeter pressure and area defense
Türkiye opened the tournament with a 93-73 victory over Latvia, establishing early dominance through aggressive perimeter pressure. The team started with a 13-3 run, forcing Latvia into low-percentage three-point attempts.
Although Latvia responded with an 11-0 run, Türkiye adjusted by implementing zone defense in the second half, effectively limiting perimeter scoring. Türkiye converted 15 three-pointers, marking one of the highest three-point outputs in EuroBasket history.
Offensively, Cedi Osman contributed 20 points, Kenan Sipahi added 19, and Alperen Sengun recorded 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Adem Bona and Sehmus Hazer anchored defensive schemes.
Czechia: First-quarter struggles and defensive adjustments
In the match against Czechia, Türkiye faced early adversity, falling behind 27-21 after conceding six three-pointers in the first quarter. A 14-0 run in the second quarter, fueled by aggressive switches and help defense, shifted momentum.
Alperen Sengun dominated the paint with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Cedi Osman and Ercan Osmani stabilized perimeter defense. Furkan Korkmaz and Omer Faruk Yurtseven provided essential contributions off the bench, helping the team extend the lead in the second half and control the tempo.
Portugal: Neutralizing Queta and controlling rhythm
Türkiye’s 95-54 win against Portugal highlighted their ability to neutralize key opponents. NBA pivot Neemias Queta scored seven points in the first quarter, but the combined defensive effort of Türkiye’s long frontcourt players disrupted his impact in the second half. Türkiye led 51-27 at halftime and expanded the margin to 36 points by the third quarter.
Offensive production came from Alperen Sengun with 20 points, Furkan Korkmaz with 14, Onuralp Bitim with 13, and Omer Faruk Yurtseven with 14. Defensive pressure and transition traps repeatedly disrupted Portugal’s rhythm, culminating in coach Mario Gomes receiving two technical fouls and being disqualified in the final quarter.
Türkiye enters EuroBasket 2025 not just as a participant but with a clear ambition for medals. Historically, Türkiye has competed 26 times in EuroBasket, recording 71 wins in 177 games.
Their most notable achievements include reaching the 2001 EuroBasket final and finishing second at the 2010 World Cup. However, international success on foreign soil has largely eluded the team.
The 2025 squad represents a turning point. Under Coach Ergin Ataman, Türkiye combines NBA-level talent with European tactical discipline. Alperen Sengun brings inside-out versatility, while veterans Cedi Osman, Shane Larkin, Furkan Korkmaz, and Omer Faruk Yurtseven contribute experience, pace, and scoring consistency.
With a full roster, defined roles, and zero egos, Türkiye now operates as a cohesive unit, blending ball movement, defensive help, and fast transitions to control games.
Looking ahead, Türkiye faces Estonia and Serbia in the remaining group matches. A win against Estonia is expected, while the match against Serbia will be decisive for group leadership. In the Round of 16, potential opponents include Italy, Slovenia, or Poland.
With its current roster and tactical system, Türkiye is positioned not only to reach the quarterfinals but also to contend for medals. Early victories and dominant performances signal that Türkiye is no longer just a competitive team—it has become a team that dictates tempo, asserts control, and defines a new basketball identity in Europe.
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