Taking good advantage of its opponent’s empty attacks and ball losses at the beginning of the match, the national team made the score 10-0 with a basket from under the basket by Sinem Ataş in the 5th minute. The national team, which was effective under the basket with McCowan in the rest of the period, finished the first quarter ahead 19-9.
The Crescent-Stars started the second period with Alperi Onar’s basket from mid-range. The national team, which did not allow the gap to narrow with its successful performance in defense, increased the gap to 19 points with the three-point basket scored by Tilbe Şenyürek in the 18th minute, after being effective under the basket with McCowan: 13-32. Slovakia did not allow a basket to Turkey in the rest of the period and the national team went to the locker room with a 32-18 advantage.
Slovakia increased the tempo in the third period and reduced the difference to 8 with Mikulasikova’s 2-point field goal in the 25th minute: 28-36. After this minute, the national team did not allow the gap to decrease with McCowan’s effective performance and finished the third quarter ahead 51-38.
Slovakia, which had the support of its fans in the last period, reduced the difference to 9 points with Dudasova’s mid-range shot in the 35th minute: 45-54. After this minute, the National Women’s Basketball Team, which went to the free throw line more often as Slovakia defended harder, did not allow the gap to close and won the match 65-50.
With this result, the star and crescent team, which made it 4 out of 4, secured the first place in the group after Romania lost 77-73 to Iceland and gained the right to participate in the European Championship for the 11th time.
The performance of the national team in the qualifying group
The National Women’s Basketball Team achieved a significant success by winning all 4 matches in Group F of the 2025 European Championship Qualifiers.
The national team beat Slovakia 75-40 in its first match in the group, defeated Iceland 72-65 away and Romania 101-54 at home. Lastly, the crescent-star team, which faced Slovakia for the second time, won this match 65-50 and continued to maintain its leadership in Group F undefeated.
European Championship performance of the National Women’s Basketball Team
The National Women’s Basketball Team, which has participated in the European Championship 10 times so far, won silver and bronze medals once each in this tournament.
The national team, which was defeated 59-42 by Russia in the final of the championship held in Poland in 2011, finished the organization in second place. The Crescent-Stars team defeated Serbia 92-71 in the third place match of the 2013 European Championship held in France and left the tournament with a bronze medal.
Satisfied: We have good players and big dreams
Head coach Ekrem Memnun and one of the players, Meltem Yıldızhan, made a statement to the AA reporter at Gopass Arena after the match.
Stating that they were happy to win away, Memnun said:
“I was satisfied with everything during this camp. I am very pleased with the players’ approach, the team atmosphere, unity and energy. Window matches are not easy. We are trying to become a team in three days. Each club has different details. The important thing here is to feel good, put in your energy and finish until the end.” “I think we can improve the rest. I trust my team, we have good players and big dreams.”
Stating that the 2023 European Basketball Championship was unlucky for them, Memnun said, “We had a lot of injuries in that tournament. We could not use four players in our starting five. McCowan also played his first contact game in the Serbia match. McCowan was injured until that day. Everyone did their best. “But we had a hard time. We believe in our potential. We have months ahead of us and we will make our plans and look ahead.” he said.
Meltem Yıldızhan: We won our four matches in the group, but our work is not done yet
National basketball player Meltem Yıldızhan explained that there was a great struggle on the field and said, “I congratulate Slovakia. We are very happy. We won our four matches in the group, but our work is not done yet.” He commented:
Emphasizing that they want to get out of the group undefeated, the crescent-star player said, “We have two more matches in February. Getting out of the group undefeated will affect our bag in the organization. That’s why we need to complete the group without losing a match. We will represent our country in the best way in the championship.” he said.
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