Shane Larkin: 'I don't agree with the call; to give Greece the game like that' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Media Credit FIBA Media

Turkey came very close to snapping their five-game losing streak against Greece on Friday afternoon at the Ano Liossia Olympic Hall, but the hosts- thanks to a controversial foul called- came out victorious once again.

Shane Larkin

MIN:31.14PTS:14.83 (60.82%)REB:3.13As:5.29ST:1.38BL:0.04TO:2.46GM:24ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

With just two seconds remaining on the game clock, game officials saw a foul on Samet Geyik's attempt to guard Kostas Papanikolaou. The Greek forward sank both free throws. However, Turkey had one last chance to claim the win.

Shane Larkin attempted a contested corner jump shot that missed the target, and Turkey will return to Istanbul empty-handed.

The team coached by Orhun Ene dropped to 1-2 in the FIBA World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers group but will have another chance in the return fixture on Monday at the Sinan Erdem.

Larkin was on a bad shooting night but still managed to be very effective- especially when it mattered the most. The 29-year-old guard logged 10 points on 3/9 from the field, adding 5 rebounds and 9 assists. He also scored Turkey's four last points in the contest, turning 68-67 for Greece to 71-68 for the guests.

For Larkin, as well as for other players present at the Greece-Turkey game, that was their second game in less than 24 hours since he registered 23 minutes in Anadolu Efes's blowout win over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Thursday night.

"It's difficult, but I wanted to help my team get a victory today," he told BasketNews postgame before further commenting on the game and its officiating.

"Unfortunately, we came up short. I don't really agree with that call at the end of the game to give them the game like that. But people make calls, and you got to live with them. I was happy with the way we responded after getting down by 15 points. Now, we have the chance to get the win on Monday."

Credit FIBA Media

The 2021 EuroLeague champ thinks that, apart from the last call, what decided the duel in Greece's favor, was the Turkish offense malfunctioning early.

"Offensively, we weren't clicking in the first half. We went big 23-13, and then they made a run. Then, we scored 9 points in the whole second quarter. Our second-quarter offense was not good.

These games come down to us fighting. We fought hard. A game like that can go either way. Unfortunately, we were on the losing side today," Larkin went on to say.

On Monday afternoon, Turkey will be hosting Greece. The win is a must for the hosts, as no clear frontrunner has emerged so far in the group.

"I expect the next game to be with a lot of energy. Our crowd is going to be there. Especially this way this game ended, I expect them to have extra motivation. It will be exciting and fun," Larkin maintains.

In order to make it to the Greece-Turkey game, Larkin had to join his NT teammates some hours before tipoff.

"It's a tough situation, and I hope that at some point, EuroLeague and FIBA will come to some kind of understanding," he wishfully utters.

"You want the best players to help their national teams. Tonight, I wasn't the only person to have had a game last night," he acknowledged.

In fact, four Olympiacos players got considerable playing time in their team's win over AX Armani Exchange Milan on Thursday.

"Kostas (Sloukas), Giorgos (Printezis), Kostas Papanikolaou and Giannoulis Larentzakis also had a game last night. Papagiannis had to choose between games because his team (Panathinaikos OPAP Athens) was playing tonight," Larkin added.

"In any regard, you always want to be able to play for your national team. Everybody has a lot of pride, and it creates a difficult situation. I did my best and gave all the energy that I got."

Regarding the war in Ukraine, the former NBA player expressed his uncertainty about what will happen in that situation.

"I just hope that all the innocent people that are involved in that situation will come out healthy," he added.

"War is never a good thing. I'm sorry for the families and the people who're dealing with that right now. Hopefully, everything will be resolved soon," he concluded.

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