TUR - Serbia game could be Hedo's last

VILNIUS (EuroBasket) – When Serbia and Turkey fight it out for one of the last remaining quarterfinal spots on Sunday night, the game will mean more to Hedo Turkoglu than most with the Turkish veteran revealing that should his team lose, it could well turn out to be his final game for his country.
 
The 32-year old forward told FIBA ahead of Turkey’s clash with Serbia that it is nearing time for him to step over and allow the next generation of Turks to take over.
 
“I am not that kind of greedy guy who will stay round. There’s a lot off great young guys and if it happens I would love to play one more year for the Olympics but if not then tomorrow will probably be my last game.”
 
Turkoglu has risen to legendary status in his home country, having played for the national team since 1998 and captained the team since 2008. In that time he has been instrumental in leading Turkey to some of their finest achievements including a silver medal at Eurobasket in 2001 when his country hosted the event and then second place at the FIBA World Championship, again in Turkey, in 2010. In 2001 Turkoglu would average 15.5 points and 3.5 assists while nine years later he was showing no signs aging, still managing 12.3 points a game.
 
But the one goal that remains illusive for Turkoglu is a spot at the Olympics and the opportunity to add the ultimate medal to his collection. Such is the high regard that Turkoglu holds for the Olympics, he has labeled Sunday’s match as the most important in his life and has been telling his team mates they must remain relaxed and not to stress before the game.
 
“The Olympics were our goal but this is basketball and things happen you don’t really expect and on Sunday we have a must win game so that is the situation and nobody wants to be in it but we need to put our head down and realise we need to win.”
 
However, should Turkey fail in their goal, Turkoglu will continue to be on hand to help out his team mates.
 
“I will still come back and support my friends and my young fellas even if I don’t make it to the Olympics next year. They will still be my friends and I will still come and support them even if I don’t play.”
 
He is also confident with the state in which the team is in, should he hang up his singlet.
           
“I have been here since 1998 and this is the best atmosphere I have seen in this national team. Since 2008 when I became the captain this is the best team mates I have had as a national team. They are younger than me but they respect me and we have a great relationship on and off the court. You can ask any of them that”

FIBA