Greece sweep Turkey in build-up to OQT in Turin

ISTANBUL (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - There is a lot to like about Greece, just one week before the start of their FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) campaign in Turin.

The national team has just recorded back-to-back wins over Turkey, who are warming up for their OQT in Manila, and important players are making big contributions.

Greece coach Fotis Katsikaris, with the arrival of veteran small forward Stratos Perperoglou on Monday, will have another weapon at his disposal.

After the first of Greece's victories over Turkey, a 78-52 demolition in Athens, Giannis Bourousis said there was room for improvement.

"The team is not ready yet," he said. "We show energy and we all had the will to help and fight. We have more athletic players this year and a lot of new faces who need to find their confidence on the court.

"We want to play fast, but we also have to play defense and be effective against closed defenses."

Turkey revealed themselves to be much stronger opposition on Sunday back at home but Greece still won the game, 75-70.

Two of the most exciting players in the Greece national team, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kostas Koufos, had 17 and 11 points, respectively.

Much will be expected of both players, who came to the fore last summer for Greece in their EuroBasket campaign in Croatia and France.

"It was a much better and tougher test for us, comparing it to the first game in Athens," Katsikaris said. "We expected Turkey to better, especially on defense, in transition defense and this helped us a lot, in order to see our reaction when playing a set game.

"We had a lot of turnovers, but we also saw two positive things: We made a step forward regarding on where and how to attack our opponents on its weaknesses and on defense, we were good once again.

"We managed to press the ball and get some easy baskets, especially when the game was on the line. On the other hand, we allowed some open 3-point shots. We must communicate better on defense. Overall it was a good test and we faced a situation we are going to face at the Olympic Qualifying tournament."

One of the Greek players, Dimitris Agravanis, said: "It was good for us that the game was close and it was judged by the details down the line. It was a good dress rehearsal for us heading to Italy. But at the same time we know that in these preparation games the most important is to learn from your mistakes. And we made a lot of turnovers. We have to reduce this number.

"The good thing is that we fought in defense, although Turkey made some big shots ... We followed our plan, we stayed together something our coach want and this is why we got to the victory."

Greece know that the only games that matter will be played in Turin. The leadership of Bourousis, who has been in a lot of big battles with his country, will be important.

I always have in my mind something Nikos Zisis told me two years ago, that in the national team you have to be a soldier, no matter how many minutes you play, or in which position. There are no egos. - Georgios Bogris

"I will help any way I can," he said. "The new kids have to find their identity, to love this team and we have to manage to do something good, all together. We don't want to say big words or anything.

"We want to work hard and do our best. And we'll see if we manage to get to the Final in Torino and from there to the Olympics."

Less heralded players like Georgios Bogris appear to be on the same page as the Bourousis and the veterans.

"There is nothing bigger or better than to play for the national team," Bogris said. "And I always have in my mind something Nikos Zisis told me two years ago, that in the national team you have to be a soldier, no matter how many minutes you play, or in which position. There are no egos."

Zisis announced his retirement from the national team several weeks ago.

"I was lucky that I had a chance to work with him for one season in the national team because he passed this way of thinking to me, that there are no egos here, there is only one thing - the team," Bogris said.

The Greeks, No. 10 team in the FIBA World Ranking, will have a stern examination of their credentials on Tuesday when they face Serbia in Belgrade.

FIBA