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Turkey, Slovenia power into world quarterfinals
Source: Agencies |
September 7, 2010, Tuesday
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WORLD championship host Turkey and the tournament's crowd pleaser Slovenia set up what should be a fascinating quarterfinal after impressive wins over their rivals in the last 16 on Sunday.
The Turks, roared on by the home crowd, romped to a 95-77 win over France while the Slovenians, who are looking for their first medal in any major event, blew away Australia 87-58.
Slovenia, the smallest nation in the 24-team event with a population of just over two million, demonstrated trademark flair and talent in a one-sided contest.
"We have become contenders among the top eight teams, first in Europe and now the world," Slovenia forward Uros Slokar said after their fifth win in six matches. "It is true that we are a small country but on the court the size of a country doesn't matter; what matters is how the players perform and how the coach works with the players.
"We have a very good system which helps talents develop and grow as basketball players," added Slokar.
Slovenia never looked back after racing into an early 12-0 lead, limiting Australia to just six field goals from 27 attempts in the first half while it sank eight three-pointers at the other end.
The winner finished with 16 three-pointers from 33 attempts, guard Jaka Lakovic leading the way with 19 points while center Primoz Brezec added 12 and playmaker Goran Dragic scored 10 with eight assists.
"The game was easier than we expected and I think we can make another step forward," said Lakovic, who was part of the side that finished fourth in last year's European Championship.
Turkey is looking for a second podium finish on home soil after winning the 2001 European Championship silver medal in Istanbul and it was unstoppable against France, which faded away after winning its opening three games.
The French lost its final two group matches and went down with a whimper against Turkey, which scored almost at will from inside the paint.
Phoenix Suns forward Hidayet Turkoglu put his patchy group stage form behind with a brilliant individual performance capped by a game-high 20 points, while Sinan Guler added 17.
The Turks, roared on by the home crowd, romped to a 95-77 win over France while the Slovenians, who are looking for their first medal in any major event, blew away Australia 87-58.
Slovenia, the smallest nation in the 24-team event with a population of just over two million, demonstrated trademark flair and talent in a one-sided contest.
"We have become contenders among the top eight teams, first in Europe and now the world," Slovenia forward Uros Slokar said after their fifth win in six matches. "It is true that we are a small country but on the court the size of a country doesn't matter; what matters is how the players perform and how the coach works with the players.
"We have a very good system which helps talents develop and grow as basketball players," added Slokar.
Slovenia never looked back after racing into an early 12-0 lead, limiting Australia to just six field goals from 27 attempts in the first half while it sank eight three-pointers at the other end.
The winner finished with 16 three-pointers from 33 attempts, guard Jaka Lakovic leading the way with 19 points while center Primoz Brezec added 12 and playmaker Goran Dragic scored 10 with eight assists.
"The game was easier than we expected and I think we can make another step forward," said Lakovic, who was part of the side that finished fourth in last year's European Championship.
Turkey is looking for a second podium finish on home soil after winning the 2001 European Championship silver medal in Istanbul and it was unstoppable against France, which faded away after winning its opening three games.
The French lost its final two group matches and went down with a whimper against Turkey, which scored almost at will from inside the paint.
Phoenix Suns forward Hidayet Turkoglu put his patchy group stage form behind with a brilliant individual performance capped by a game-high 20 points, while Sinan Guler added 17.
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