Savas dreams with Turkey capturing elusive gold at FIBA EuroBasket 2017

ISTANBUL (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) – Turkey Big man Oguz Savas turns 30 approximately two months before FIBA EuroBasket 2017 tips off and he believes the tournament could be a milestone not only in his career, but also in the history of his national team. For all their glorious basketball history, Turkey have never celebrated a gold medal success at FIBA EuroBasket, but they reached the final in 2001, the first time they hosted the tournament.

In the wake of Tuesday's draw for FIBA EuroBasket 2017 whose Group D as well as the Final Round will take place in Istanbul, Savas was confident the time is ripe for Turkey to follow the path of 2001 but this time take the extra step which eluded that team that was led by Hedo Turkoglu, who today is the President of the Turkish Federation.

"I only have silver medals, the young guys born in 1995 or 1994 have won so many gold medals already that maybe they don't think about it but for me it's not the same, I dream of getting one." - Oguz Savas

"It is true that this tournament could be the last chance for us [my generation], so I hope we can get to the Final and get the gold medal," Savas told FIBA.com just moments after the Draw in Istanbul, which pitted the Group D hosts against Serbia, Russia, Latvia, Belgium and Great Britain. "Everybody here has the gold medal in their mind and winning it at home would be really special, it would mean that we have made something nice for our country. It would be truly special.

"I have of course won the silver medal at FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010 and silver medals with all the youth national teams, I have at least one from each of the U16, U18 and U20 European championships. 

"But if we got the gold medal and we did so in Istanbul it would be the most special moment. I only have silver medals, the young guys born in 1995 or 1994 have won so many gold medals already that maybe they don't think about it but for me it's not the same, I dream of getting one," the big man added jokingly.

One of these young players is Cedi Osman, who spearheaded Turkey's golden generation at U18 and U20 level and already played with the senior national team at FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and FIBA EuroBasket 2015.

"We will have time to talk about it but although he has not played a major tournament at home yet, he already has good experience," Savas said of Osman. "He played in the last two championships and played very well, while he is also playing serious minutes for Anadolu Efes. I hope he will be able to handle it, of course we will help him handle the emotional aspect in the best way and I am optimistic."

It would actually be a great surprise if Osman and the rest of Turkey's young players feel overwhelmed by pressure at FIBA EuroBasket 2017, as the '12 Giant Men' have traditionally performed much better when playing in front of their home crowd, both in 2001 and 2010.

"I think it could be because we are really emotional people, so maybe we use the home advantage more than most teams," Savas said. We got really good results in both 2001 and 2010, so I hope it will be the same in next summer's championship and we can reach the final.

"We have been talking to each other and everybody agrees it is very nice to host the tournament in Istanbul and to be playing at home. You can really feel the emotion coming from the people, they look at us like heroes. Everything is different when we're playing at home, everybody is following the tournament with great passion and the atmosphere is incredible."

Turkey's chances would get a big boost if their star power forward Ersan Ilyasova returns to the national team for next year's big event. The Philadelphia 76ers player was forced to miss the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament last summer, after serving the senior Turkish side almost uninterruptedly since 2006.

"The last time we spoke he [Ilyasova] told me he really wants to be here for the tournament," Savas revealed.

"But it will also depend on his contractual situation, I think he will be a free agent in the summer. The tournament is in September though and hopefully he will have dealt with the situation by then. I hope he will be able to join us because he is an important piece of the team and we really need him."

FIBA