Yilmaz inspirational in Turkey’s fairytale run

KAUNAS (FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship 2018) - Sude Yilmaz was overcome with joy after Turkey’s brilliant Quarter-Final victory over Russia. But she’s ready to switch on to help her team fight for a historic medal.

After stunning performances against Latvia and Russia, Turkey are in contention for a first-ever medal at this level.

Friday’s match against Czech Republic will be their first trip to the Semi-Finals since 2011, and both then and in 2005, their challenge for a spot on the podium eventually fell short with a fourth-place finish.

The sensational play of 1.78m wing Yilmaz has been a huge factor in Turkey’s run. She recorded a double-double and 6 steals in the opener against Belgium before being held to 1-of-10 shooting in the Group Phase match against the Czechs, which her team went on to lose and will be looking to avenge on Friday.

She followed with a solid showing of 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals in the defeat to France, before exploding in the Round of 16 match with Latvia, pouring in 21 points in the first half including an astonishing offensive rebound and score at the end of the half.

Play.
Of.
The.
Tournament?@TBF 🇹🇷

📺 https://t.co/5bNhRfGNcl pic.twitter.com/TlrShmMqOT

— FIBA (@FIBA) 21. srpna 2018

She played a supporting role in the Quarter-Final win against Russia, stuffing the stat-sheet alongside her 11 points. But her joy was clear to see after the game, as she explained: "I'm very happy - nobody was believing that we could come this far, other than our team," sobbing with joy as her teammates looked on.

They cheered their support for their star wing, and with good reason. Alongside playmaker Derin Erdogan and forward Melek Uzunoglu, the trio provide a triple threat that is making this Turkish team a force to be reckoned with.

She cited the performance against Latvia as one of the best in her young career, given the importance of the match: "It was beautiful. I was very happy. It is not unusual that I do these scores or rebounds like this, but it was maybe the best game of my life.”

Yilmaz plays at EuroCup Women 2018 champions Galatasaray, with club coach Birtan Ozturk among Turkish head coach Halil Demirbilek’s staff here in Kaunas, and Ozturk explained how he has seen Yilmaz's career blossom in recent months: "She’s 16 but we don’t play her in the under-16 team. We took her to the Galatasaray B team, playing in the Turkish third division, and they won all the games, so now they are in the second division. She is the youngest player in this league.

"She has developed in offense and defense, for sure, but also the energy that she is putting in is contributing a lot to the team," said Ozturk, and his assessment is understandable when you see Yilmaz flying around the floor, eagerly filling in the gaps to make the Turkish team tick.

Demirbilek is similarly excited when discussing her attitude and potential: "She wants it. Every game she is ready. Before the game she came to me and said 'Coach, I am ready.' It's perfect for me. This season, every practice, she comes to work and she is tough. She is a hard worker and a really good player."

The opportunity to develop at her club alongside some of the best players in the game and to observe the high quality of the Turkish league gives Yilmaz great motivation: "I am inspired by watching our players in EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women. I look up to all the players - I try to take the good parts from all the players, there’s not one particular player that I look at."

With Turkey participating in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in one month's time in Tenerife, Yilmaz will be a keen observer: "I'll be watching the Women's World Cup matches for sure!"

For now, the focus is on getting Turkey on to the podium here in Kaunas. But Yilmaz and her country will be hoping that this is just the beginning for a strong new generation of talent.

FIBA