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Türkiye secured its place in the semifinals of the 2025 European Basketball Championship with a commanding 91-77 victory over Poland in Tuesday's quarterfinal matchup, showcasing superior teamwork and offensive efficiency throughout the contest.
Alperen Sengun delivered a masterful performance to lead Türkiye's victory, recording 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting while collecting 12 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists for a complete triple-double. The center's efficiency rating of 15 underscored his dominant two-way impact, as he controlled the paint on both ends of the floor.
Shane Larkin provided crucial scoring support with 13 points, connecting on 3-of-7 attempts from beyond the arc while adding five assists to help orchestrate Türkiye's offense. Sehmus Hazer matched Larkin's scoring output with 13 points on efficient 5-of-9 field goal shooting, while Cedi Osman contributed 10 points and five rebounds to round out Türkiye's balanced scoring attack.
Kenan Sipahi added 11 points off the bench, shooting 4-of-6 from the field including 3-of-5 from three-point range, while Furkan Korkmaz chipped in 10 points.
The depth of Türkiye's roster proved crucial as multiple players stepped up to contribute meaningful minutes and production.
Türkiye's victory was built on superior performance in several critical areas, most notably their exceptional ball movement and rebounding advantage. The team recorded 26 assists compared to Poland's 17, demonstrating the unselfish play and court vision that allowed them to generate high-quality scoring opportunities throughout the game.
On the boards, Türkiye outrebounded Poland 31-26, with the Turkish squad particularly effective on the offensive glass where they grabbed 13 offensive rebounds compared to Poland's six. This second-chance production proved vital in maintaining scoring momentum and limiting Poland's possessions.
Türkiye's defensive pressure also created significant problems for Poland, forcing 10 turnovers while committing just 10 of their own. The Turkish squad converted these opportunities into 10 steals, with Sengun leading the way with three steals to complement his offensive production.
The contest began as an evenly matched affair, with both teams deadlocked at 19-19 after the opening quarter. However, Türkiye seized control in the second period, outscoring Poland 27-13 to build a substantial 46-32 halftime advantage that would prove insurmountable.
Türkiye maintained their dominance in the third quarter, extending their lead to 65-50 entering the final period. The 15-point margin reflected continued balanced scoring and defensive intensity that prevented any sustained Polish comeback attempt.
The fourth quarter saw Türkiye close out the victory with a 26-27 scoring edge, as Poland managed to slightly outscore their opponents but could not make significant inroads into the deficit. Türkiye's ability to match Poland's late surge demonstrated the composure and experience needed for tournament success.
While both teams showed solid shooting percentages overall, Türkiye's superior execution in key moments proved decisive. The Turkish squad shot 48% from the field compared to Poland's 51%, but made up the difference with better shot selection and higher-value opportunities.
From three-point range, Türkiye connected on 42% of their attempts compared to Poland's 34%, with the long-range shooting providing crucial separation throughout the contest. At the free-throw line, Türkiye dominated with an 83% conversion rate compared to Poland's 74%, capitalizing on their opportunities from the charity stripe.
The victory positions Türkiye for a semifinal appearance as they continue their pursuit of a European Championship title, while Poland's tournament run concludes after a competitive quarterfinal performance that ultimately fell short against Türkiye's balanced attack and defensive pressure.
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