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Turkey overwhelms Greece 76-65 at basketball worlds

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-09-01 09:37

ANKARA - Turkey overwhelmed its traditional rival Greece 76-65 here Tuesday, scoring their third straight win at basketball worlds.

Oguz Savas of Turkey goes up to score against Greece during their FIBA Basketball World Championship game in Ankara August 31, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

The Ankara Sports Hall boiled over from the minute when athletes entered the court, with a full house of Turkish fans whistling and singing together while Greek fans cheering and holding a banner with the writing "We're neighbors not enemies" on it.

Forward Ersan Ilyasova and center Omer Asik helped build an 18-12 lead for Turkey in the first period, which finished in favor of Turkey 22-15. The two teams took turns to lead in the second period and Turkey got in front 41-39 at the end.

The competition got more fierce in the second half, with Greece replacing guard Nikolaos Zisis and center Sofoklis Schortsanitis after they made four fouls. Turkey extended the lead to 65-51 by the end of the third period.

In the fourth period, three pointers by Ilyasova helped Turkey advance to 70-54 while Schortsanitis was forced to leave the court after five fouls. Greece ran up to 65-73 but Turkey prevailed at the end with a victory of 76-65.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu watched the game at the sports hall together with Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas and told reporters during the break that "it was a wonderful game."

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, chairman of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party, was also present.

Turkey beat Cote d'Ivoire 86-47 on Saturday and defeated Russia 65-56 on Sunday. Greece has won over China 89-81 and overwhelmed Puerto Rico 83-80.

Turkey will take on Puerto Rico next and Greece faces Cote d'Ivoire on Wednesday.