Turkey topple Lithuania

2006-08-19 19:11

Hamamatsu - Ender Arkan scored two dramatic free throws with 17 seconds left on the clock to hand wild-card entry Turkey a morale boosting 76-74 victory over Lithuania in the World Basketball Championships on Saturday.

While Arkan was the hero, former New Orleans Hornet Arvydas Macijauskas was the villan, committing the foul that gave the game to Turkey.

"We had 45 days of preparation which set us up excellently, we are in good shape and we have a very good atmosphere in the team. That's why we won," said Turkey coach Bogdan Tanjevic.

"It was good to see the young players come on and play so well."

The rookie side was led by Milwaukee Buck Ersan Ilyasova.

Turkey have a lot to prove after the flopped to ninth at EuroBasket 2005. They were given a wild card entry to the worlds.

They paid the organisers back with their performance, proving a tough nut to crack for a Lithuanian side boasting NBA stars Linas Kleiza of Denver and Darius Songaila of Chicago.

Turkey led 19-17 after the first quarter and maintained the momentum in the second frame, stretching their lead to four points at 44-40 before Lithuania lifted its game to fight back in the third.

It was level pegging in the fourth, with the lead see-sawing before Arkan dropped his baskets with seconds on the clock.

Ibrahim Kutluay from Istanbul side Uskudar top-scored for Turkey with 16 points.

Macijauskas scored 24 for Lithuania. Songaila added 14.

Turkey take on Australia on Sunday.

- AFP