Can Turkey get revenge against Spain, replace them at top of Group I?

ANKARA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - First place in Group I is at stake when Turkey and Spain renew their rivalry in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers on Thursday in Ankara.

The Turks head into the first game of the fifth window with a 6-2 record while Spain top the standings with a 7-1 mark. The home side will aim to achieve what only Ukraine have done so far on the Road to China 2019 - beat Spain. But Spain have won their last two match-ups against Ufuk Sarica's charges.

Turkey's play caller hopes his team can exact a bit of revenge for their loss to Spain in the Quarter-Finals of FIBA EuroBasket 2017 at home in Istanbul.

Spain also beat Turkey in the group stage at EuroBasket 2015. Before that, the Turks had won three of the last four showdowns - in the group stages of EuroBaskets 2001 and 2011 and the second group stage of EuroBasket 2009. Spain did knock off Turkey in the second group stage of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2002.

One of the players with experience and memories of those games is 32-year-old Semih Erden, who played in the 2009, 2015 and 2017 battles against the Spaniards. The Istanbul BBSK big man has been an important part of Turkey's success thus far in the European Qualifiers, averaging 5.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

"We're a good team and Spain is also a good and strong team. What we have to do in this game is play the same game we played in the games we've won so far," he said. "We will try to win the game with good defense, good shooting and right choices against a good team. We need to make fewer mistakes. Whichever side most wants to win this game, will win it."

The World Cup Qualifiers debut of veteran guard Sinan Guler will give Turkey a big boost

Sarica got a boost when it was announced that 35-year-old veteran playmaker Sinan Guler will be available for the window, the first time the Fenerbahce man has played in the Qualifiers. Scott Wilbekin has also been included in the 15-man squad for the window but he will not be available for the Spain encounter.

Sarica's men will however have behind them the Ankara faithful, who have spurred Turkey to victories over Ukraine, Sweden and Montenegro thus far on the Road to China 2019.

Spain, for their part, look to join Czech Republic, Germany, Greece and Lithuania among the European teams qualified for the World Cup.  They can achieve this on Thursday by winning in Ankara, combined with a Ukraine loss at home against Slovenia.

The emerging Sebas Saiz will be helped by Fran Vazquez's return to the low blocks for Spain 

Spain coach Sergio Scariolo once again will have his terrific trio of Sebas Saiz, Quino Colom and Jaime Fernandez, who have played in all eight of of the country’s Qualifiers. The play caller will also welcome back into the mix Fran Vazquez - the veteran big man who played in the first three windows but was not part of the team that lost to Ukraine in September.

"We have been able to include a lot of players who have brilliantly defended the Spain colors in the previous World Cup Qualifiers," Scariolo said. "We are on the right path but the work is not done yet."

Saiz, meanwhile, also joins Javier Beiran and Rodrigo San Miguel as part of a group of three players from Iberostar Tenerife, who are off to great starts in both the Basketball Champions League and the Spanish ACB.

Scariolo might also give a young talent a chance for a debut in the Spanish senior national team as Marc Garcia has been named to the squad after having played at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2015 and the FIBA U16, U18 and U20 European Championships. The shooting guard helped Spain win the 2016 U20 crown - taking home the MVP trophy -  as well as U20 European silver in 2015 and U18 bronze in 2013.

"We have included some new names and possibly those that have been here but haven't played yet. They will do so in one of the two games," Scariolo said.

Spain’s second game in the window is at home against Ukraine on December 2. Turkey will play at Montenegro on the same day.

FIBA