Ergin Ataman slams window system: 'FIBA's bullshit' / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman: "Turkey will not be able to participate in the World Cup because of FIBA's window bullshit."

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Turkey wrapped up their FIBA World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers campaign on a victorious note as they defeated Belgium 82-54 away on Monday night.

Turkey / Schedule

Turkey Latvia74-83 Belgium Turkey54-82

The Belgians were hoping that Great Britain could stun Serbia and then defeat Turkey to book the last ticket to the World Cup. But neither result went their way.

Meanwhile, Turkey's win had no significant meaning, apart from boosting the country's morale after the devastating earthquakes.

Turkey finished fourth in Group I and will be forced to miss the upcoming major basketball event. The European power will skip its first FIBA World Cup since 1998.

Turkish NT head coach Ergin Ataman addressed the issue that Turkey will not be present in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, as the 57-year-old specialist called out FIBA for the colliding schedules and the current system.

"I think this is nothing but FIBA's bullshit," Ataman told TRT Spor after the game. "During this qualifiers period, we could not use our players in the NBA, except for two games played in the summer. Likewise, we could not benefit from many of our EuroLeague players. As a result, Turkey will not be able to participate in the World Cup because of FIBA's window bullshit."

Ataman reiterated his view in the press conference, but in a more polite way.

"We did not qualify for FIBA World Cup, and I think this is a shameful situation for FIBA that they put these games during the season where we can't use our NBA stars and EuroLeague players," he emphasized.

"But anyway, we will continue fighting in the pre-Olympic games [FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament] in the summertime."

Back-to-back EuroLeague champ also thanked the Belgian Basketball Federation for donating the income of the game to Turkey and earthquake victims.

Credit FIBA

"I would like to say thank you to the Belgium Federation for supporting our country. We had an incredible disaster in Turkey, and the psychology of the country is still not good," Ataman pointed out in the post-game conference.

"This game showed that all Turkish people are together and we saw that all of Europe, starting from Belgium tonight, they are with us. I am sure that we will pass this situation," the coach added.

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