Tofas – Turk Telekom and Besiktas – Bandirma – the clashes of the round in Turkey
Tofas – Turk Telekom and Besiktas – Bandirma – the clashes of the round in Turkey
This round in Turkey we have 2 important clashes with very balanced teams, all of them, participants in the European competition. The first one will oppose Tofas, who is beneficiating again of the experience of Sammy Mejia, recovered from injury and Turk Telekom, a team which is aiming for more this season.
Both teams are coming after a good start of the season, occupying a playoff spot in the Turkish league with the same record (2-1). I think it will be one of the most balanced duel because of the similarities between the rosters, who are based on 5 foreigners helped by some local role-players. With no injuries, the clash will be even tighter and almost impossible to predict.
In the 2nd battle of the round, Besiktas will face Bandirma. The host team is coming after a good game won at PAOK in Basketball Champions League, but they need very badly some positive results as well in their domestic league. After 3 rounds, Besistas is only on the 11th place in Turkey with 1 victory.
The great advantage for Besiktas in this game can be the larger rotation, including a lot of local quality players. They have Birkan Batuk, Burak Can Yildizli, Oguz Savas, Samet Geiyk and Ismet Akpinar that can come with energy from the bench. On the other side, Bandirma has a problem with the rotation, since Ridvan Oncel is injured. The BasketballCL powerhouse can rely only on Sehmus Hazer as an experienced player, while the rest of the Turkish fellows are not very bright on the court.
The foreigners of both teams are high level, but I am expecting local players’ rotation to make the difference and as well as better chemistry for Besiktas. Ian Hummer, an excellent newcomer for Bandirma to replace the injured D.J. Shelton will need time to accommodate with his new team.
Photo: championsleague.basketball
Gratian Cormos
