Turkey Inspired By Presence Of Former Generations

CLUJ (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers) - When Turkey locked down Romania 56-45 last Saturday in the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifers window to spoil the party for a record-breaking 7,000-strong crowd in Cluj, the memories came flooding back for an array of former Turkish national team players.

That's because the Turkish Basketball Federation had decided to honour those who had previously served their nation on the court, by treating no fewer than 40 ex-players to a trip to Romania in a bid to inspire the current crop of stars.

Their added support and presence certainly did just that - and it proved a particularly poignant experience for Emine Paksoy and Dirayet Yildirim.

The duo proudly pulled national team vests over their respective heads and shoulders heads half a century ago when Turkey first faced Romania at the Balkan Championship in 1966, when their hosts came out on top 55-50 in a contest that both remembered vividly.

"The game was played outdoors on a concrete court," recalled Paksoy.

"And, we were totally unfamiliar with [playing on] a concrete court."

The game and facilities have of course moved on immeasurably since then - as has the stature of Turkey within the women's game. The victory moved them into pole position in Group H and extended their flawless record to 3-0.Turkey have a potential trip to Rio on the horizon if they can perform at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Nantes during June - one of the reasons the Federation are doing everything they can to inspire the current crop of players tasked with reaching the Olympics off the back of their debut appearance four years ago in London.

"Turkish Basketball has a very rich history, and these women are a critical part of that history," said TBF President Harun Erdenay.

"This year we are aiming to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, and this was the perfect opportunity to honour the individuals who laid the foundation and helped make these Olympic dreams possible."

Having stepped out in the British capital in between podium finishes at EuroBasket Women 2011 and 2013, Turkey have cemented themselves as one of the premier nations in the women's global game.Their success on the court has also been matched by investment off it - with the country having hosted the 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship.

And, both dimensions are proving hugely valuable with an 18.7% increase in the number of girls playing the sport.

Those young women now playing the game are being inspired by the likes of Galatasaray playmaker Isil Alben, who in turn has been drawing her own inspiration from the likes of Alev Gokce - who was part of the first women's national team in 1964 and also wore number 10 on her back.

"These are the people who paved the way for us," enthused Alben.

"To have the chance to chat with them one-on-one, to hear what they experienced - I'm just really happy.

"It was a very special feeling and in the games we play after this, there will be an extra source of inspiration."

Turkey will take to the floor again on Wednesday against Israel in Tel Aviv.

FIBA