01.07.2011

Turkey Outlast France In OT Thriller

Turning Point: With France threatening to steal victory in overtime, Isil Alben hit a three-pointer with 1:52 left in overtime to key a 7-0 run that saw Turkey sweep into the final.

Game Hero: Nevin Nevlin was restored into the Turks' starting line-up to nullify the power of the French. It was the perfect tactic and she delivered 23 points and 8 rebounds.

Stats Don't Lie: Turkey shot 43% from the field and consistently good shots, inside and out. France, shooting just 32%, have not been at their best in Poland. They just didn't have enough.

Turkey delivered a heart-stopping performance to end the reign of defending EuroBasket Women champions France, beating the odds once again to claim a stunning 68-62 overtime win that sent them onwards to Sunday's final against Russia.

Ten points clear in the second period, Ceyhyn Yildoglu's side were tested to the limit, mentally and physically.

But in a dramatic OT, they hit the last seven points and then embraced on another in celebration.

In their first-ever European semi-final, Turkey showed no signs of fear against the two-time winners, converting 12 points without reply in the opening quarter.

Sitting 16-15 ahead at the end of the first quarter, the underdogs made their strongest run.

Nevlin ignited an 8-0 burst and when Isil Alben drained a three-pointer with 2:29 in the second period, her side were 36-26 in front.

The travelling Turkish supporters waved their flags. The tricolores were muted as the French trailed 38-31 at half-time.

And they slumped further when Saziye Iveglin capped a 7-0 spurt that maintained the gap at 49-42 at the end of the third period after Le Bleues had rallied.

The best drama still lay ahead. Edwige Lawson's three-pointer sparked a 8-2 start to the fourth that raised the stakes and, with 3:10 left, Emilie Gomis hit two free-throws to give the French a 54-53 lead.

Nevriye Yilmaz - who added 17 points and 11 rebounds - converted two to restore Turkey's advantage. And when Birsel Vardarli improbably saw a one-handed effort drop from long range, it looked like the fortunes had turned.

Pierre Vincent urged his players not to give up their title. Gomis hit a jumper, then Jennifer Digbeu launched a three from the top of the key, punching the air as it fell through the hoop.

Vardarli quickly levelled at 60-60. But Turkey's outstanding guard buried her head in her hands at the end of regulation, having missed two fouls shots with seven seconds left that could have killed off the French for good.

Fortunately for her, it was not a fatal mistake. And now she and her team-mates can look forward to the opportunity to create one final upset - and avenge the 80-65 defeat they suffered to the Russians earlier in the competition.

Gomis had a game-high 24 points for France.
 

01.07.2011

Quotes France vs. Turkey

Turkey Forward Yasemin Horasan:
"This is simply amazing and I really don't know what to say. We did such a great job and I am so very proud of my team. I think we really showed we deserved it. We are so very happy and I think we need to just go and enjoy it now and not even think about the Final yet."

Turkey Guard Gülsah Akkaya:
"It's unbelievable how I feel right now. It was in and out of our hands and especially when we missed the free-throws in regulation but none of that really matters now. Seriously I am so happy now that I can't even speak or even begin to describe what this means for us and for Turkish basketball."

France Head Coach Pierre Vincent:
"I think we needed to be more clever because at the end of the game we were far too agressive for the situation. I know some miracle shots are tough to defend but we fouled too aggressively and made some bad decisions which gave them free throws."

France Guard Edwige Lawson:
"I think Turkey played a very good basketball game tonight. It was hard for us to close out the game. In overtime we had a few good looks but we missed. Congratulations to Turkey."

Turkey Head Coach Ceyhyn Yildizoglu:
"Today we played against a very special team, against the champions. We made a lot defensive changes in overtime and I think it succeeded. All the Turkish players sacrificed and they fought like yesterday. They played smart. I am happy we are now in our first final. I think we deserve it."