Türkiye vs. Italy FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers 2025 How To Watch
- Tipoff: February 20, 2025, 18:30 CET
- Venue: Basketball Development Centre, Istanbul, Turkey
- Türkiye 's Performance: Turkey holds a 3-1 record in Group B, having already secured their spot in EuroBasket 2025.
- Italy's Performance: Italy also boasts a 3-1 record, sharing the top position in Group B with Turkey.
Türkiye and Italy battle for group leadership
Türkiye and Italy meet in Istanbul for a FIBAl EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers clash that will likely elect Group B leaders. With both teams already through to the tournament, this matchup is all about seeding and proving strength ahead of the main event.
Their previous meeting saw Italy edge out Türkiye 87-80 in Pesaro. Nicolò Melli led the charge for the Azzurri, while Türkiye’s Tarik Biberovic put on a scoring clinic with 28 points. It was a tightly contested game, with Italy pulling away in the second quarter and maintaining their advantage the rest of the way. This time, Türkiye has the home crowd behind them, making for a different challenge.
Türkiye will look to their star-studded backcourt of Shane Larkin and Furkan Korkmaz to dictate the tempo. Larkin’s ability to create off the dribble, combined with his reliability from behind the ark, makes him a constant threat. Korkmaz, known for his scoring ability from deep, will play a crucial role in stretching the Italian defense. Meanwhile, Cedi Osman adds versatility on both ends, providing scoring, rebounding, and defensive intensity.
For Italy, Nico Mannion will be the primary playmaker, orchestrating their offense with his quickness and vision. Alongside him, Alessandro Pajola brings elite defensive intensity, likely tasked with slowing down Larkin. Italy’s offense will also lean on Matteo Spagnolo and Gabriele Procida, two rising stars who have proven capable of delivering in big moments.
Backcourt Battle - will the Azzurri contain Larkin?
This game will likely be decided in the backcourt. Larkin vs. Mannion is the headline battle, with both guards controlling the flow of their respective offenses. Larkin thrives in fast-paced, transition-heavy play, while Mannion is more methodical, looking to break down defenses with precision passing.
Italy's defensive scheme, anchored by Pajola, will be key in containing Türkiye’s perimeter threats. If they can disrupt Larkin and force tougher shots from Korkmaz, they’ll have the upper hand. On the other end, Türkiye must limit Mannion’s skill at attacking the basket and contest Italy’s outside shooting, as Spagnolo and Procida are deadly when given space.
Perimeter shooting will be another deciding factor. Both teams rely heavily on their three-point game, and the more efficient side from deep could take control.
With EuroBasket 2025 already secured, this game is about pride, form, and fine-tuning before the main tournament. Türkiye, playing at home, will want revenge for their loss in Italy, while the Azzurri aim to maintain their dominance in the matchup. Expect a high-intensity contest with both teams looking to make a statement in Istanbul.
Türkiye vs. Italy FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers 2025 Where to Watch
Tune in 20 minutes before the game to watch Türkiye vs. Italy live on Courtside 1891 with a MAX Annual subscription or a MAX – FIBA Continental Cups Qualifiers pass. Check out our live basketball streaming plans.
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