ISTANBUL (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Ergin Ataman wasn't happy after his Turkey team exited EuroBasket 2015 following a Round of 16 defeat to hosts France. He was positively angry. His squad appeared to be out of contention for a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games.

But Ataman is all smiles now. What Turkish basketball supporter would not be after what has transpired in recent days? When Italy, Serbia and the Philippines were named as hosts of FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs) last week, Latvia, Croatia and Turkey were put into the OQT field.

Ergin Ataman (TUR) led Turkey to the Round of 16 at the World Cup

On Tuesday night, Turkey were drawn to play at the OQT in Manila (5-10 July). Victory in that six-team event would clinch a first-ever Olympic berth for the national team that goes by the nickname of 12 Giant Men.

In each OQT - Turin (Italy) and Belgrade (Serbia) are the sites for the others - are two groups of three teams. In Manila, Turkey will play in Group A against Senegal and Canada, while France, New Zealand and hosts, the Philippines, will be in Group B.

The top side in Group A will face the second-place team in Group B in one Semi-Final and the first-place team in Group B will take on the second-place team from Group A in the other Semi-Final. The winners advance to the Final to play a do-or-die game for an Olympic berth.

I can say that this time, luck was on our side. Of course, only the team that wins this tournament will head to the Olympics. We're going to give everything we have to be the team that goes to Rio. In Manila, the team that will be toughest for us is undoubtedly France. - Ataman

Ataman knows what sort of potential Turkey have. His team gave eventual champions USA their toughest game at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. They reached the Quarter-Finals after claiming a famous comeback win over Australia in their Round of 16 showdown.

In 2015 at the EuroBasket, Turkey were not at full strength but still managed to play well enough in Group B, in Berlin, to advance. They next had to take on hosts France and with a huge crowd behind them in the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille, France rolled to a huge win, a 76-53 triumph.

There is plenty for Turkish basketball to be excited about in the coming weeks. Not only will their men's team be gearing up for Manila, but the women will play at the 12-team Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Nantes, France. Turkish Basketball Federation president Harun Erdenay, a former national team player himself, is looking forward to all of the games.

The draw went the way we wanted it to in both the men's and women's tournaments. To make it to the Olympics, we're going to have to battle to the very end with all of our strength. Right now our goal is for both our men's and women's national teams to compete at the Rio Olympic Games. - Erdenay

FIBA