TUR – Turkey wins in front soccer national team compatriots

ISTANBUL (FIBA World Championship) – The row of turquoise seated in the first row during this evening’s Turkey vs France game was not a line of ball boys, nor were they volunteers or security guards. They were in fact Turkey’s national soccer team who turned up to cheer on their compatriots, who overcame their opponents 95-77.
 
The team, which includes a number of big stars and which is currently preparing for its European Championship qualifier against Belgium on Wednesday, was given courtside seats to watch Ilyasova and co triumph over their Eighth-Final opponents, bringing their record to 12 wins from 16.
 
In international football Turkey have fared a little less well. The sides have met four times with France having triumphed on each occasion.
 
Bogdan Tanjevic’s men gained revenge for their onlookers, who suffered defeat in their previous meeting in June 2009.

Turkey also recently lost the battle against France for the right to stage the 2016 European Football Championship.
 
Guus Hiddink, the football team coach, said that they had brought the entire team.
 
Stoke City player, Tuncay Sanli had said ahead of the game: “Before the match I called Hidayet Türkoglu and I wanted his jersey that he will wear on this game. We are proud of our basketballers. The atmosphere in Sinan Erdem Dome is amazing.”
 
Turkey move on to meet Slovenia, who cruised past Australia 87-58.

FIBA