Turkey opt for youth in Qualifiers
ISTANBUL (FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers) - Ekrem Memnun will have one of the youngest squads in Turkey's history when he takes his side into next month's FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers.
ISTANBUL (FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers) - Ekrem Memnun will have one of the youngest squads in Turkey's history when he takes his youthful side into next month's FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers.
Of the candidates selected, 11 are under 25 years old, as Turkey turn the page and give the chance for a fresh generation to step up and become the nation's new leaders.
| Turkey 15-player squad for FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers | |||
| Isil Alben | Merve Aydin | Pelin Bilgic | Bahar Caglar |
| Tugce Canitez | Hulya Coklar | Ayse Cora | Elif Emirtekin |
| Melis Gulcan | Ilayda Guner | Quanitra Hollingsworth | Cansu Koksal |
| Tilbe Senyurek | Esra Ural Topuz | Olcay Cakir Turgut | |
Players such as Tilbe Senyurek and Pelin Bilgic already have major tournament experience and now other young guns such as Melis Gulcan, Hulya Coklar, Elif Emirtekin and Ilyada Guner will be looking to make a breakthrough.
Even if Turkey won't have the services some of their notable veterans, such as Birsel Vardarli Demirmen and Saziye Ivegin Guner, who both played at the Final Round in Prague when Turkey managed to punch a ticket for the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, they still maintain a strong core.
The Roster is Announced for Senior Women’s National Team | https://t.co/r9OjdgHBzf pic.twitter.com/HZMTQo5UlG
— Turkish Basketball (@TurkishBBall) October 24, 2017
The naturalized Quanitra Hollingsworth gives them an anchor in the paint, while Tugce Canitez and Bahar Caglar provide added forward options, with Isil Alben and Olcay Cakir Turgut forming a strong backcourt duo.
Turkey have been pitched into Group B against Belarus, Estonia and Poland. They will open with a trip to Estonia and then host Poland in November's opening window.
FIBA