Final Preview: Will Turkiye or Croatia claim precious OQT ticket?

ISTANBUL (Turkiye) - The coveted FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 ticket is at stake when host Turkiye and Croatia meet in a blockbuster Final on Sunday in Istanbul.

Here is a guide of everything you need to know about the winner-takes-all matchup at the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament.

Turkiye vs Croatia 

Heading into the tournament,  these two teams appeared the standouts and were favored to meet in the final. And, that's exactly what has happened for these unbeaten teams, with hosts Turkiye winning games by an average of almost 25 points en-route to the Final and Croatia by more than 21 points. 

Turkiye will have the support of their passionate fans at Sinan Erdem Arena in what probably gives them the slight edge and slim favorites status. 

Key matchups 

This game is littered with stars and a slew of NBA players. There are several key battles with both teams having dominated inside throughout the tournament. NBA big men Ivica Zubac and Alperen Sengun have been arguably the two most imposing players in the tournament and are number one and four in efficiency. They will go head-to head in a battle that will shape the outcome of this Final.

Turkiye seem to have the edge inside with towering Omer Yurtseven an anchor in the middle who should have the physicality and length to trouble Zubac when called upon. 

There will be some intriguing matchups on the perimeter with sharpshooters Mario Hezonja and Furkan Korkmaz to go toe-to-toe. Okben Ulubay and Kenan Siphai will likely be tasked with trying to limit the influence of Dario Saric, who has been a superb floor general for Croatia with an average of 6.5 assists in his 27 minutes per game.  

X-Factor 

We know what to expect from the stars, but the difference maker in what looms as an evenly matched contest might come down to role players.

Speedy guard Jaleen Smith might just be the player to step up for Croatia having played well in the tournament sharing playmaking duties with Saric. He has also shot the ball well averaging 43% on threes and seemed to overcome a rolled ankle sustained during their semi-final win over Ukraine.

Ulubay is Turkiye's leading scorer outside their three stars and he not only looms as a key in trying to limit Saric, but he will be entrusted with hitting big shots having nailed 9 of 12 from three so far. 

Stats don't lie

Turkiye are a sizzling 50.5% from deep in the tournament - 13% better than next best Croatia. Both teams are averaging almost the same attempts, but Turkiye are nailing 12 per game compared to Croatia's 8.5.

Obviously, Croatia will need to tighten their perimeter defense and will hope Zubac can hold his own in the paint and cover Sengun one-on-one. Because once Turkiye are feeling it they are hard to stop amid bedlam from their fans. 

Did you know?

Having memorably won silver after falling short to the legendary 'Dream Team' in the 1992 Olympics men's basketball final, Croatia's golden generation seemed to end four years later in Atlanta when they were knocked out by Australia in a dramatic quarter-final. They have only contested two Olympics since to signal a fall for the former basketball powerhouse.

Turkiye have only appeared at the Olympics in 1936 and 1952. 

FIBA