on 13-07-2014 09:43

Turkey were looking for revenge in what was to be a rematch of the gripping European Championships Final last year, where GB came away with the victory by just one point.

It was a very tentative start from GB with their shots not dropping, but Turkey came out firing led by their talisman Gurbulak. He hit eight first quarter points including two three point shots, as Turkey stunned GB, shooting at 71% compared to GB’s 33%, finishing the first quarter fourteen points ahead, 24-10.

However, GB regrouped in the quarter break and the change to a pressing line-up seemed to cause the Turkey offense problems, forcing them to shoot 35% from the field in the quarter.  Thanks to two three-point plays from Ian Sagar and Turkey getting into foul trouble towards the end of the half, GB dragged the score back to within 7 at half time, 30-37.

At the start of second half, the teams exchanged baskets but again it was Turkey’s Gurbulak, who finished the game with a triple double, causing GB problems hitting another two huge three point shots. GB had to push out to him, which created gaps inside the key for Gurbulak to find his teammates with numerous assists. Turkey increased their lead going in to the final ten minutes to 12 points, 57-45.

A huge fourth quarter comeback from GB ensured for a thrilling end to the match as GB fought back to draw the scores level  at 68-68 with one minute remaining, assisted by Bywater’s 15 points in the quarter.  It was Turkey though who led with five seconds left on the clock 71-69. GB had the last possession of the game, but the shot on the buzzer from Bywater came agonisingly close only to bounce off the rim and hand Turkey the semi-final spot.

GB’s Head Coach, Haj Bhania said, “We expected a tough game, we knew that they were going to come out and play and I think if we could have stopped number five then I think we had a chance but he had the game of the tournament against us and they were just a little too good for us on the day.

We left the margin too big in the first quarter. I think we were slow to come out, they came out really well; we knew they would come out fast and hard and we said in the pre-game we needed to match them and I don’t think we quite did. If we had kept it closer I think the game was ours and it was a great effort by the boys in the last three quarters, to come back from a 14 point deficit to lose by just two was a fantastic and great effort, just extremely disappointing not to be able to have just brought it all the way back for the win.”

GB’s captain Abdi Jama said, “It’s the worst feeling ever in the world. We knew it was going to be close as we had a close game at the European but we came out winners in that tournament. They came out to play and we gave them a big lead at the beginning that we just couldn’t get back and it was all a little too late in the end. They deserved to win and good luck to them in the semi finals.