By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Ersan Ilyasova still holds on tight to his memories from the 2010 FIBA World Cup. He then helped Turkey make it to the final and secure the silver medal after the loss to USA. Nine years later at China, his National Team will go against USA once again, this time in the group stage of the 2019 FIBA World Cup. The 32-year-old big shared his feelings ahead of the rematch versus the Americans with FIBA.
“We lost in the Final in 2010 but it still remains as one of the best memories I’ve had in my career” he confessed and went on explaining why he anxiously awaits the contest against the Americans: “It’s the best team in the world and I’ve been living in the country for so long now, so it’s always special to play against the Americans.”
Ilyasova completed his eleventh NBA season after returning to the Milwaukee Bucks. He helped his team reach the Eastern Conference Finals with 6.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 dimes per game in the 2019 Playoffs. He previously averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 boards during the Regular Season. However, the 2018-19 season is now behind him and the 2019 FIBA World Cup ahead.
“I’d like to win another medal or more for the National Team before I stop playing. I know it’s always tough to reach the medal spots and win titles because there are always more and more National Teams that can compete for the top spots in international competitions” he said and added: “I also have the goal to help bring Turkey back to the Olympics by having a good run in China.”
“It’s a very tough group, a very competitive one. We don’t know that much about Japan, but we know about the Czech Republic and Team USA” he mentioned describing Group E of the FIBA World Cup. Ufuk Sarica’s side will start off facing Japan on September 3rd and go on versus USA on September 3rd and the Czech Republic on September 5th. Group E will take place at Shanghai.
Further analyzing Turkey’s initial opponents, he pointed out: “Czech Republic is a very solid team, and they’ve been showing very good things the last couple of years. They’re good on both ends of the floor and they have guys that compete at the highest level, such as Tomas Satoransky and Jan Vesely, who are top players. Japan is going to compete hard, too, after getting to the World Cup following a great campaign in the Asian zone. About Team USA, we all know about them. They have so much talent and they’re going to China to try to win another title.”
Back on game against Team USA: “It won’t be an easy game because they have the most talented team in the world and they’re going to want to keep their title, but we’re going to play with the highest intensity, trying to make them have a difficult game against us. It won’t be easy yet we’re going to play in a way to try to make it difficult for them.”
Ilyasova also predicted a tough challenge for all 32 National Teams of the World Cup: “The race for the second round is going to be intense, and also the one to get to the quarter-finals and the semis, too. A lot of teams can fight for a medal. We’re going to use all of our energy to go to China and have a great run.”