Turkish National Team Falls Short in Italian Clash
The Turkish national men’s basketball team suffered a 80-67 defeat in Italy during the 2025 European Championship Qualification Group B’s fifth match. The contest, held at the Basketball Development Center, showcased a dominant first half performance by the visitors, who led 48-31 at the break. however, italy, refusing to yield, fought back to secure a hard-fought victory.
A Disappointing Outcome
This setback marks the team’s second loss in the group,under the guidance of coach ergin Ataman. The performance, while not entirely devoid of luminous spots, ultimately fell short of expectations. Key contributors for Turkey included Cedi Osman, who tallied 16 points, and Şehmus Hazer, who chipped in 13.Italy’s scoring prowess was spearheaded by Giordano Portolani (16 points), Matteo Spagnolo (14 points), and Alessandro Pajola and Gabriele Procida (12 points each).
High-Profile Attendance
The match drew significant attention,with Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak in attendance. Minister Bak was accompanied by Hidayet Türkoğlu, president of the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF), and other TBF board members.The presence of such prominent figures underscored the importance of the contest for Turkish basketball.
Larkin’s Return
A notable storyline was the return of Shane Larkin to the national team. After an absence of 897 days,Larkin donned the Turkish jersey once more. His last appearance for the national team was in a european Championship group match against Spain on September 7, 2022. Larkin’s prolonged absence was due to a combination of penalties and injuries. The 32-year-old, currently playing for Anadolu Efes, was called up to the 2024 Olympic qualifying competitions after serving a five-game suspension imposed by the TBF.
Statistical Summary
- Turkey: 67 points
- Italy: 80 points
- Cedi Osman (TUR): 16 points
- Şehmus Hazer (TUR): 13 points
- Giordano Portolani (ITA): 16 points
- Matteo Spagnolo (ITA): 14 points
- Alessandro Pajola (ITA): 12 points
- Gabriele Procida (ITA): 12 points
The Turkish team now faces a challenging road ahead as they strive to overcome this setback and secure a favorable position in the qualification group.
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