Curtain falls for Turkey veteran Tuncluer

ISTANBUL (FIBA World Championship for Women) - Turkey veteran Esmeral Tuncluer didn't exactly get the podium farewell she had hoped for, but still bowed out of the game with her head held high at the FIBA World Championship for Women.

Playing in a competitive game for the last time, it was apt she said her farewell by playing one last time for her country on the home court of her club team, Fenerbahce.

The dream of a top three finish didn't materialise as Turkey were overrun by Australia in the Third-Place Game.

Nevertheless, as a cornerstone of the national team for 14 years, the player was deservedly honoured in a special ceremony afterwards, in recognition of the role she has played in taking Turkish women's basketball to exciting new heights.

Esmeral has been a very, very valuable player. - Yildizoglu

"Since the first day she dedicated herself to basketball, she has been a very special player with her personality, her approach to being a team-mate and being a team player," said Turkey head coach Ceyhun Yildizoglu.

"Not just on the court, but also off the court as a friend, with her dependability."

No so long ago, national team debutante Cansu Koksal was a young girl looking for inspiration and it came from Tuncluer.

Since I was little, Esmeral was someone I always watched avidly. - Koksal

"I liked her character and her game - I was a fan of hers," said the 20-year-old.

Such a tribute will be music to the ears of Tuncluer, who has always made a point of serving as a role model for her younger colleagues.

"Being a good team-mate means helping each other both on and off the court, as well as being supportive," she reiterated.

"Our young players are all very valuable and talented - we must all do whatever we can to be helpful to them."

Her influence was also noted by Birsel Vardarli Demirmen, who has regularly lined up with her backcourt partner for Fenerbahce, as well as the national team.

She's a person that must be taken as an example for others. - Vardarli Demirmen

"As far as women's basketball goes, she's a remarkable person - she's an athlete who could be a role model for a lot of people."

Fittingly, Tuncluer broke through the 2,000 point landmark in a Turkish vest (at all levels) by draining a three-pointer against the Opals - to the absolute delight of the crowd.

And in the future, the guard would dearly love to see a son or daughter doing exactly the same - now that she is looking forward to the prospect of starting a family.

"Of course, I'd really want that," she smiled.

FIBA