Alperen Sengun came just one assist short of a historic triple-double in Turkey’s win over the Czech Republic, and Cedi Osman told Eurohoops that not only were his teammates aware of the milestone approaching, but they had even planned a celebration.
“I think we’ll see it anyway,” Osman said. “He played incredibly well. We actually discussed it with the last three or four minutes remaining. We even arranged something, but that’s when the substitution came (laughing). He didn’t make it in this game, but he’ll make it in the next; we have no doubt about that.”
Osman, who added 21 points against the Czech Republic, expressed satisfaction not only with the win but also with the team’s overall performance and response in the tournament so far.
“Yes, absolutely. We proved that, both against Latvia and the Czech Republic. We defended very well for three quarters and played aggressively. This is reflected in our offense. We need to continue playing this way. We’ll play again on Saturday against a tough opponent we respect and who is improving. So, we want to rest up and get off to a good start in the next game,” Osman said about the upcoming clash with Portugal.
He also highlighted the importance of team cohesion and momentum, especially in a fast-paced EuroBasket schedule.
“Everyone gets along very well. The important thing here is that we win matches. We’re playing as a team, not as individuals, and that’s crucial. So far, everything is going very well. Somebody makes a good play, and the whole bench is on its feet. We’re in great shape as a team. I hope we keep it that way.”
Cedi Osman: “We had arranged something for Alperen’s triple double, but…”#Eurobasket https://t.co/DywKLgRC0p
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) August 30, 2025
