TUR/SRB/IRI/NZL - Istanbul Cup 'dress rehearsal' for Worlds

ISTANBUL (FIBA World Championship) - Fans in Turkey will be able to get their first sense of what the FIBA World Championship holds in store with this weekend's Istanbul Cup.

Turkey will take on Serbia, Iran and New Zealand in the three-day event that will serve as a warm-up for all four teams as they count down the days to the FIBA World Championship tipping off on August 28.

"These are the final games before the FIBA World Championship to be played at the Sinan Erdem Dome, which is opening its doors to an international tournament for the first time," said Turkey Basketball Federation secretary general Ali Ozsoy.

"It will be a real dress rehearsal for the Sinan Erdem Dome and the infrastructure before the FIBA World Championship."

For the teams, it is a chance to feel out the level of opposition they can expect to face at the end of the month.

"Games like these can make us better," said Kerem Tunceri of the Istanbul Cup. "The tempo of the game is very important as it shows us how far we have come. Games like these are the best form of workout.

"This will help us continue to prepare for the Championship in the best possible way."

Aside from Turkey, Serbia appear to be the strongest opposition in the tournament, but coach Dusan Ivkovic said he is not too worried about results at this stage.

"The first games are always tough," he said. "Hopefully, we will gradually find a secure and stable shape.

"But if we look at comparisons, last year (before winning bronze at the EuroBasket) our first warm-up game was against Germany in Germany and we lost."

Ivkovic is looking forward to the challenge of playing New Zealand and Iran, who will both bring different styles of play.

"New Zealand have their own style, and their players always try very hard," he said. "We must be prepared, but we do not know a huge amount about New Zealand except how they have played in previous years."

The tournament will get under way on Friday when Serbia play New Zealand, with Turkey up against Iran in the second game.

Iran face Serbia on Saturday before Turkey tackle New Zealand, and events wrap up on Sunday night with games between New Zealand and Iran and Turkey and Serbia.

FIBA