ISTANBUL (Turkey) - Turkey have faced the USA at each of the past two FIBA Basketball World Cups and will do so once again at this summer's tournament in China after being drawn in Group E with the Americans, Czech Republic and Japan.

However, the prospect of facing the USA once more isn't one that leaves the 12 Giant Men shaking in their boots, far from it.

"That's great," Cedi Osman, one of Turkey's rising stars who plays in the NBA, said to Eurohoops.net. "I'm excited about the World Cup. We are going to play against them, we'll give it our best shot. Of course, it's going to be hard, but we will try our best."

The USA beat Turkey in the 2010 Final, 81-64, and after a spirited performance by the European team in Bilbao that saw them stay within striking distance 25 minutes into the contest, the Americans pulled away for a 98-77 triumph. Osman, as a 19-year-old, was in that Turkey team.

The first aim for Turkey will be to clinch a top-two finish in the group and advance to Group K in the Second Phase of the competition. There, they will have to again finish in the top two to progress to the Quarter-Finals. The top two sides of a Group F that consists of Greece, Brazil, New Zealand and Montenegro will also be in Group K.

Greece will be favorites to advance but Brazil, New Zealand and Montenegro can, if on top form, compete with anyone in international basketball.

"In the next round, we will probably play with Greece or Brazil. It will be difficult and we will see. We will try to do something big and it will be hard. (But) This is quite exciting," Osman said.

Osman has been one of Turkey's standout players since FIBA EuroBasket 2017, where he averaged 16 points and 5 rebounds per game.

The good thing about facing the two-time defending champions USA, he says, is "we would not play against each other until the Finals (Championship Game or 3rd-Place Game). Therefore, this draw is a good thing for us. It will not be easy, but I believe we'll be second in the group."

"I believe we can go further than the result we got in our last championship. We can qualify for Quarter-Finals."

Turkey actually made it to the Quarter-Finals five years ago in Spain after stunning Australia in the Round of 16.

Turkey coach Ufuk Sarica shares the same opinion as Osman regarding another meeting with the Americans.

"While being in the same group with the USA can impact us in terms of ranking in the groups, it can provide a great advantage for coming phases," he said. "We know Czech Republic very well. Japan is not a well-known team for us."

Sarica led Turkey to 8 wins and 4 defeats in the European Qualifiers for the World Cup

Sarica also has one eye on reaching the Olympics. If Turkey finish as one of the top two European teams at the World Cup, they will clinch a spot at the Japan Summer Games. Otherwise, they will be aiming for a high-enough finish to claim a spot in a FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“We aim to get a ticket for the 2020 Olympic Games," Sarica said. "We are a good and young team. I trust my team and staff. I am sure this team can brighten up the Word Cup and get a good result. We will go to the championship by spending this summer well. I believe we will achieve our goals."

Turkey clinched a spot in the World Cup in the penultimate window of the European Qualifiers. They ended their campaign with 8 wins and 4 defeats.

FIBA