Fuente: © FIBA (Federación Internacional de Basket)
http://www.fiba.org/

FIBA: TUR - Demirel gives thumbs-up on wild card selection

/noticias.info/ ISTANBUL (FIBA World Championship 2006) - Turkey basketball supremo Turgay Demirel believes his country fully deserves the wild card into next year's FIBA World Championship it received on Saturday.

FIBA's Central Board decided on Saturday that Turkey, along with Serbia & Montenegro, Italy and Puerto Rico would receive wild cards in the 24-team event to be staged in Japan.

The wild card means Turkey will be able to brush aside the disappointment of their elimination round exit at the EuroBasket, and it will help them build momentum for 2010 when they host the FIBA World Championship.

Demirel, the president of the Turkey Basketball Federation, said on the TBF website: "Being awarded one of the four wild card entries is a very good sign of our place and prestige in the world.

"Because of the surprise results at the European Championship, a lot of strong teams were left out of the World Championship.

"This decision proves Turkish basketball's importance in the world, which is a product of our administration and organisation, as well as our capacity on the basketball courts...

"I hope that playing at the 2006 World Championship will be good for Turkish basketball."

PA International
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