Turkish Forum

Tag: Basketball

  • A “huge moment” for Turkey against Russia

    A “huge moment” for Turkey against Russia

    EuroBasket Women: A “huge moment” for Turkey against Russia

    Russia, Turkey, latest news, womens basketball

    womenbasketIf there were any doubt that Turkey is experiencing a bona fide golden age of basketball, look no further than the FIBA EuroBasket Women championship match tonight. The unheralded Team Turkey will take on pre-tournament favorites/historically dominant Russia in Lodz tonight.

    At stake is an automatic bid in the 2012 Olympic Games, but one can’t help imagining both of these sides to be playing in London next year: The losing team is already set to play in the Olympic qualifying round, along with Croatia, the Czech Republic and France.

    Turkey overcame defending champions France in the semifinal in a 66-62 overtime thriller, leading to what center Nevin Nevlin calls “a huge moment for Turkish basketball. It’s history. We’re part of it. We’re very proud and we know 70 million people back home are proud of us.”

    The upstarts will have to find a way to disassemble the Russian machine, however, but this edition of the team appears not quite as fearsome as some from EuroBasket tourneys past. While Team Russia has gone 6-2 in the tournament overall, two of those Ws came in squeakers over Slovakia and Britain, two teams the Russians were supposed to have well outclassed. On the other hand, Russia did claim an emphatic 80-65 win over Turkey on day three of the competition.

    via BallinEurope, the European Basketball news site » Blog Archive » EuroBasket Women: A “huge moment” for Turkey against Russia.

  • Hornets Cheerleaders in Istanbul

    Hornets Cheerleaders in Istanbul

    NEW ORLEANS—The New Orleans Hornets Honeybees participated in the NBA 5 United in Istanbul, Turkey during the first week of June.

    1011HB gallerygroup

    Six members of the squad traveled to Istanbul where they performed, signed autographs and connected with fans. In the past, members of the Honeybees have had the chance to participate in similar events in China, Spain, Germany and France, as well as a military tour in Kosovo.

    “Being able to travel overseas with the Honeybees and bring the excitement of the NBA to fans all over the world is an amazing opportunity,” said Honeybee Manager and Choreographer Ashley Deaton. “The girls who have had the chance to participate in such events have had a blast and made some lasting memories. Interacting and entertaining our international NBA fans is always the best part. They have been so adoring.”

    The NBA 5 United Tour 2011 is a grassroots tour that combines competitive outdoor 5-on-5 tournaments with fun interactive basketball elements. Fans can also participate in dunk and skills contests, interact with NBA players and dance teams in autograph sessions and see performances by the dance teams.

    The event for the NBA 5 United was located right off the shores of the Marmara Sea. They had set up four small courts for the 5-on-5 tournament. Hundreds of players were in attendance wearing jerseys of their favorite NBA team, Hornets included. During the performances, fans were holding up our posters, chanting “Honeybees”, and clapping along to the music.

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    Joe’s take- Sending Hornets cheerleaders around the globe in what will likely increase the number of Hornets fans? Sounds like a good plan to me.

    via Hornets Cheerleaders in Istanbul | New Orleans Hornets | Hornets247.com.