Turkiye’s Ercan Osmani (24) in action against Amar Alibegovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2027 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers first round Group C match between Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center in Istanbul, Türkiye, November 27, 2025. (AA Photo)
November 27, 2025 11:41 PM GMT+03:00
Türkiye’s men’s national basketball team began its 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying campaign with a resounding 93–71 home win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday.
The game, held at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center in Istanbul, saw Türkiye take control early, but Bosnia mounted a second-quarter comeback, reducing the margin to a single point by halftime. A decisive third-quarter run and a dominant finish ensured a 22-point victory for the home team.
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Türkiye dominates Bosnia as Biberovic, Hazer lead the charge
Türkiye opened the match with Kenan Sipahi, Onuralp Bitim, Tarik Biberovic, Yigitcan Saybir, and Omer Faruk Yurtseven in the starting five. With team captain Cedi Osman sidelined due to injury, Sipahi took over the captaincy.
Alongside Osman, players Furkan Haltali, Muhsin Yasar, and Yigit Onan were left out of the 12-man match squad.
Biberovic topped the score sheet with 20 points, followed by Sehmus Hazer with 18. Sertac Sanli and Kenan Sipahi added 14 and 12 points respectively, anchoring a balanced offensive effort.
The team closed the first quarter with a 29–20 lead but allowed Bosnia to close the gap to 46–45 by halftime. Türkiye regrouped in the third quarter and pulled away, entering the final period ahead 67–58. The lead only widened in the closing minutes.
Türkiye’s Onuralp Bitim exited the match in the fourth quarter after injuring his right ankle during a contested play beneath the basket. He was assisted off the court after initial treatment and did not return to the game. Bitim contributed 5 points in nearly 14 minutes of play.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C), and Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak (3rd L) follow the FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers first round Group C match between Turkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center in Istanbul, Türkiye, November 27, 2025. (AA Photo)
President Erdogan joins officials courtside
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the game alongside Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak, ruling party spokesperson Omer Celik, lawmakers Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoglu, Mevlut Cavusoglu, and Mustafa Varank. Also present were National Intelligence Organization Director Ibrahim Kalin, presidential advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul, and Turkish Basketball Federation President Hidayet Turkoglu, together with other senior officials.
Türkiye will next face Switzerland in Fribourg on Sunday, November 30. Tipoff is scheduled for 19:00 Turkish time. Group C also includes Serbia, which Türkiye is expected to meet in later stages of the qualifiers.
November 27, 2025 11:41 PM GMT+03:00