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After a flawless five-game run in the preliminary round of EuroBasket 2025, Turkiye enters the knockout stage as the top seed from Group A. The next challenge is Sweden in a do-or-die contest on Saturday, with tip-off scheduled at noon local time.

Ergin Ataman, the national team’s head coach, expressed frustration at the early scheduling of such a crucial matchup.

“I don’t like the disrespect of FIBA against us, against the first team in the group, which finished the group unbeaten,” he said during Friday’s practice in Riga.

“We must play the game earlier at 12 o’clock tomorrow. It’s ridiculous. We have been here 15 days, and we play the most important game in the knockout stage, an elimination game, at 12 o’clock.”

Despite the timing, Ataman emphasized his team’s determination.

“Everybody must know, even if we play three in the morning, nobody can stop our goal to advance to the medal stage,” the 59-year-old tactician added.

Turkiye’s pool play was highlighted by a key win over Serbia at Xiaomi Arena on Wednesday.

“At this moment, I only dream about advancing to the medal stage. The game against Serbia is over. Now, I focus only on the national team to win tomorrow against Sweden and advance to the Quarterfinals,” Ataman said.

Reflecting on his team’s performance, he continued, “We saw the potential in our team. Actually, I know this potential, but in all those games we played perfectly, excellent defense, in offense we moved the ball very well, we always shared the ball. Especially against the favorite of this EuroBasket, Serbia, we played an amazing game. We are ready for the Top 16 game and I hope the Quarterfinal, and to advance to the Final.”