A National Men’s Basketball Team lost to Croatia 84-71 in the final of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
With this result, Turkey lost its right to play in the FIBA Olympic Qualifications to be held next year. Croatia, on the other hand, qualified to compete in the qualifiers.
Starting the match effectively, Croatia scored with Filipovic from outside shots and Saric and Zubac from under the rim. Croatia finished the first period ahead 24-14 against the A National Team, which played 0 out of 8 in 3-point shots.
Croatia, which did not slow down in the second quarter, increased the lead to 16 in the 12th minute with Saric’s 3-pointer: 16-32. Responding to the national team, which was trying to recover with Alperen Şengün’s baskets, with Hezonja’s outside shots and widening the gap, Croatia went ahead in the locker room 48-29.
Recovering from Furkan Korkmaz’s three consecutive baskets in the third quarter, Turkey drew the lead to single digits in the 25th minute: 46-53. Although the crescent-stars continued their good game in the remaining part, they could not stop Saric and Croatia went into the last quarter with a 66-55 superiority.
Croatia, which did not allow the gap to close in the last quarter of the match, was victorious 84-71 and obtained the right to participate in the FIBA Olympic Qualifications. With this result, the National Team lost its chance to participate in the qualifiers.
OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION STATUS
12 teams will compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in basketball.
In addition to the host France, 7 teams from the 2023 FIBA World Cup will qualify directly. In addition to these countries, 4 more teams from the qualifiers to be held next year will buy 2024 Paris tickets.
PERIOD RESULTS:
1st Quarter: Türkiye 14-24 Croatia
2nd Quarter: Türkiye 29 – 48 Croatia
3rd Quarter: Türkiye 55 – 66 Croatia
4th Quarter: Türkiye 71 – 84 Croatia