U17s finish fourth at World Cup, Karutasu looks ahead

U17s fall to Australia, finish fourth at World Cup

Türkiye 69–77 Australia in the bronze-medal game at the FIBA U17 World Cup. Your team led early and stayed tight through three quarters, but the Australians pulled away late (1) (2).

Darius Karutasu put it plainly after the final whistle: "This kind of tournament develops us" (1).

Fourth place. A medal was within reach, and it stings. But a world semifinal run with this age group is real, the U17s went deeper than anyone expected.

The World Cup hangover is still real

While the basketball kids were fighting for bronze, the senior football team's group-stage exit still lingers. Transfermarkt had Türkiye as the most valuable squad eliminated in the group phase, €474 million, 35th place. Only three UEFA teams went out that early, and Türkiye was one of them. Africa sent nine of ten teams through. The gap between expectation and reality was brutal.

Mert Hakan's ban under review

The Arbitration Board is still looking at Fenerbahçe midfielder Mert Hakan Yandaş's 12-month betting ban. No final decision yet.

Bursaspor are loading up

Lincoln Henrique (ex-Fenerbahçe) and Lewis Baker (ex-Trabzonspor) have both signed. Bursaspor mean business in the Trendyol 1. Lig.