A Milli Erkek Basketbol Takımı enters the second round of the FIBA 2027 World Cup European Qualifiers with a home fixture against Lithuania, hosting the Baltic side at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center tomorrow at 21:00 local time (UTC+3), according to reports from state broadcaster TRT 1 and sports channel S Sport.
Ataman’s Unbeaten Momentum Carries Into Group J
Under the guidance of head coach Ergin Ataman, the national team looks to maintain the momentum they established during a dominant first round. Türkiye swept Group C with a perfect 6-0 record, culminating in a 95-72 victory over Switzerland in Istanbul. That flawless run places the team at the summit of Group J as the most advantageous side heading into the second round, where records from the initial phase carry over.
Lithuania advanced to the second tier as the second-place finisher in Group D, recording three wins and three losses.
Decades of History Against the Baltic Side
The two nations meet for the 13th time in official competition. Historical records show that since 1997, Lithuania has won nine of the 12 previous encounters, while Türkiye has secured three victories.
Their last official meeting occurred during the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Barcelona, where Lithuania claimed a 73-61 decision. Türkiye’s last official win against this opponent came at the 2009 European Championship by an 84-76 margin.
Hamburg Testing Ground Shapes Roster Prep
Preparation for this window began on August 16. The squad traveled to Germany on August 18 to participate in the THY DBB Super Cup in Hamburg on August 21-22.
Türkiye opened that preparation tournament with a narrow 95-94 loss to Croatia before defeating Czechia 99-84 to finish third overall, according to Anadolu Agency reports.
Seventeen Selected for the World Cup Quest
Coach Ataman’s 17-player roster features Darius Karutasu, Ercan Osmani, Erkan Yılmaz, Kenan Sipahi, Malachi Flynn, Berk İbrahim Uğurlu, Furkan Korkmaz, Metecan Birsen, Onuralp Bitim, Sertaç Şanlı, Şehmus Hazer, Yiğitcan Saybir, Yiğit Arslan, Cedi Osman, Adem Bona, Ömer Faruk Yurtseven, and Ömer Kutluay.
The Road Ahead to Qatar 2027
Following tomorrow’s opening fixture in Istanbul, the team travels to Iceland for their next Group J encounter on Monday, August 31. That match takes place at Laugardalshöll Arena in Reykjavik, starting at 22:30 TSI.
The second round spans three windows—August 24 to September 1, November 23 to December 1, and February 22 to March 2, 2027—with the top three teams in Group J securing qualification for the FIBA World Cup in Qatar.
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