Turkey Avoid Shock Defeat By Austria

Turkey escaped an embarassing loss by edging Austria 72-67 in Group C of the U20 European Championship on Friday evening.

Once again, just like yesterday against Greece, Austria shocked a powerhouse and led for over three quarters, but failed to make the final touch and shock Turkey.

Turkey improved their record to 1-1 while Austria fell short for the second day in a row and dropped to 0-2.

"Perhaps we should ask to change the rules and play for only three periods," joked the Austrian coach Werner Sallomon after another disappointing loss.

Furkan Aldemir had 22 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks for Turkey followed by Can Mutaf with 20 points and 3 assists.

Anton Maresch led Austria with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and right behind him was Filip Kramer with 12 points and 7 boards.

Austria delivered the exact same scenario from yesterday with a shocking start, taking a 7-18 lead after less than 5 minutes of basketball.

Aldemir scored his first points, but Maresch was on fire and sent Austria on a 13 point lead, before the Turkish big helped his team finish the first quarter just 7 points behind, 17-24.

Carlos Novas collected points for Austria to maintain the steady lead, and when the teams entered the half time break it was still Austria on top, now by even a bit bigger gap, 35-44.

Mutaf and Aldemir combined plays mid-way in the third quarter to make it just a 2 point game yet still in favor of Austria, 48-50, but if someone expected the underdog to fall apart, that wasn't the case at all.

Maresch and Kramer scored back to back 3 pointers and Novas added another right before the 3rd buzzer to regain the nine-point gap, and put Turkey in a very uncomfortable situation, tho not for long.

Straight after the short break Mutaf and Huseyin Kokasl were the power behind a 13-0 run that put Turkey in charge and up by 4 points, 67-63.

Austria scored the next for to tie the game, but that was the last tie and also the last points of the Austrians in the game, as Turkey made a 5-0 run in the last 4 minutes and earned their first win.

"We have a shorter bench than the teams here and it effects us," admitted Sallomon who added, "every player on my team gives 100% when he goes on the floor, and as a coach there's nothing more you can ask for. I'm proud of our boys and the things we're doing here."

Tomorrow will feature a classic battle between Turkey and Greece while Austria will try to upset the hosting team of Spain.