Italy's Danilo Gallinari (L) and Turkey's Ersan İlyasova will banner their respective nations in the opening day of 2015 EuroBasket action. (Photo : Reuters)
Italy and Turkey battle it out in one of Group B's opening games in the 2015 FIBA EuroBasket held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany on September 5.
NBA players Andrea Bargnani, Danilo Gallinari, and Marco Belinelli banners the Italian squad coached by veteran mentor Simone Pianigiani.
The Italians settled for eighth place during the 2013 EuroBasket after they were defeated by Serbia, 76-64, in the battle-for-seventh match, as per SB Nation.
Turkey also has two NBA players in its side, namely the Detroit Pistons' Ersan İlyasova and the Philadelphia 76ers' Furkan Aldemir.
New Orleans Pelicans' Ömer Asik is listed in the team's lineup for this tournament, but it is not sure if the 29-year-old center will play at all because of a recurring back injury, as reported by the FIBA website.
Head coach Ergin Ataman said that Asik's loss is a big blow for the chances of his team to advance in the knockout stage. He will now have to rely on 24-year-old Aldemir and national team veteran Semih Erden to banner them in the middle.
Pianigiani is expected to make the most out of his team's primary strength, outside shooting, as they face a tough Turkish side right on opening day.
Ataman's men will keep up with Italy in the first half, but will be left behind in the second after the Italian shooters get comfortable.
Prediction: Italy wins, 80-68
Italy starting five: Andrea Bargnani (C), Danilo Gallinari (PF), Luigi Datome (SF), Marco Belinelli (SG), Andrea Cinciarini (PG)
Turkey starting five: Furkan Aldemir (C), Ersan İlyasova (PF), Cedi Osman (SF), Sinan Güler (SG), Bobby Dixon (PG)
