Turkey - "We would be champions with Mehmet and Hidayet"

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The Turkish National Basketball Team, '12 Giant Men', has shown great skill during the 15th World Championship in Japan.

After beating favorites Lithuania, the Turkish national basketball team stunned Australia with its second half come-back, winning for the second day in a row at the FIBA World Championship. The Turkish team, which was not even among the candidates for the Cup, now ranks among the favorites.

Ibrahim Kutluay (32), whose fantastic performance helped the team to secure its success, candidly says, “We promised to do our best for the national team, and I’m sure we all gave our best performance.” Zaman spoke with Ibrahim Kutluay in Hamamatsu, the Japanese city hosting FIBA World Championship.

How did the Turkish team achieve such a great but surprising success?

You’re right we were not among the favorites at the beginning of the tournament, but I am proud to be captain of players who are willing to give their all for the national team. There's a good sense of solidarity among the team members.

What was your role in getting the national team back on its feet after its defeat last year?

We all share the scores. I am the captain but also a scorer. We all work as part of a team and not just for ourselves, I even try to motivate my friends while sitting on the bench and I feel responsible if the game turns for the worse.

I think Coach Bogdan Tanjevich left you free to do that…

The real captain of the national team is Tanjevic. He is a basketball expert. Sometimes he makes us feel that he relies on us more than himself. He is a major opportunity for Turkish basketball.

What was missing in the past?

I do not want to talk about the past, but if Hidayet and Mehmet were on our team, we would definitely be the champion this year.

Where will Turkey’s current performance take us?

We beat Lithuania, Australia, Greece and Brazil which were the favorites, not only of the group, but the tournament. We will not be defeated as long as we maintain our current performance.

What will be a real success for the team?

We will not be satisfied unless we rank at least among the first four teams and even win the medal.

Are you confident about the championship?

I have many dreams about the conclusion of the tournament. I envision the medal and the welcoming ceremony on our return to Turkey. As long as we continue as we are, the team will have every chance of realizing this success.

We’ve won two games, but our next challenge is Brazil…

It will be a crucial game but we are more powerful and qualified. They lost their first games against Australia; they play tough but we have more advantages.

You are coming to the end of your career. Have you chosen a successor?

My successor will be Cenk Akyol because our positions are the same. He has a strong character and a good education. I hope that in a few years, he will be playing in the NBA. Ersan also has talent; they will likely become the leading players of Turkish basketball in the future.

When do you plan to quit basketball?

I want to be the captain of the Turkish team at the 2010 World Championship. I’d like to end my basketball career at the 2010 Championship.

Just like Harun Erdenay and Zidane, you say…

Harun Erdenay is National basketball team manager but in fact he is also the captain. I became a basketball player taking him as a model and he motivates the team to an incredible extent.