Destination Lithuania

Every week, fibaeurope.com collaborator Mark Woods talks to players with a single travel destination in mind this summer, Lithuania. Next in the series is Turkey guard Sinan Güler Mark Woods writes on basketball for a number of British newspapers as well as broadcasting for the BBC and Sky Sports. He is also assistant editor of mvp247.com and can be found on Twitter @markbritball.

Silver is rapidly becoming basketball's colour of choice in Turkey.

Second place at the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Men on home soil.

The same - if hugely unexpected - result at EuroBasket Women in Poland earlier this month.

"I followed it and I was really proud of what the team achieved," admits Sinan Güler of his female compatriots.

"They carried the flag and they carried Turkish basketball to another level. I really hope that because of what they did, we'll see growth in women's basketball here over the next days, seeing young girls wanting to play."

Sinan Güler would probably have never become a basketball player if it wasn't for his father and older brother. Now they are the ones watching and encouraging him from the sidelines

It has, in a way, thrown down the gauntlet to keep the silver streak going, at the very least.

"It will inspire us, seeing what they've accomplished," he acknowledges.

"It motivates us. It's something to look at doing that again."

Gold would be an even better souvenir for the Turks in Lithuania when the men's version of EuroBasket begins next month.

The squad remains settled despite the succession of Orhun Ene into the head coaching position previously held with distinction by Bogdan Tanjevic.

Although Mehmet Okur is, once again, sidelined by injury, Enes Kanter represents a coming generation which is rich in promise.

With relative stability, Guler is expecting a seamless transition.

"I don't think it will change much," he declares.

"All the 12 players from last year are in the squad right now. Bogdan will be around, monitoring and mentoring Coach Ene and us. I don't think there'll be much difference. Maybe we'll have a different system but at the same time, what we've been doing for the last three or four years has worked for us."

The one difference? Expectation. Given the extraordinary run that Turkey had 10 months ago to a glorious finale against the USA, they must now carry the hopes of a nation that presumes they might now affirm themselves, officially, as the best in Europe.

It is a valid aspiration, declares Guler, who recently agreed a new two-year deal with Efes Pilsen.

The whole country, including the men's national team, took notice of Turkey's success at EuroBasket Women and it has served as a great source of inspiration for Guler and his team-mates

Given that they begin with an awkward group that also includes Lithuania, Spain, Great Britain and Poland, he is reluctant to make bold promises.

"There's a lot of difference between the World Championship and the EuroBasket because all of the teams in Europe are now feeling like: ‘here's the Olympics next year, close to home in London, and we want to be there'," he argues.

"And we'll do anything we can to get in. We feel the same way. But we have that pressure of being the silver medallists from last summer. We need to take that on now and get into the Olympics."

Now 27 years old, London 2012 might be his best opportunity, not just to participate but also to succeed. And there will be ample support close to home as he pursues that ambition.

Güler's father, Necati, was a professional in his day, shining on the court while his sons nestled from the sidelines, soaking up the nuances and insights from the cradle.

Muratcan was first to follow in his footsteps, forging a career that included stops with Besiktas and Galatasaray as well as the fringes of the national team.

Sinan, younger by four years, watched and admired, eager to emulate his own personal hero.

The trio remain close. Honesty is never in short supply, Sinan confirms.

"It's been an intangible benefit because I grew up in the gym watching my father and my brother play," he recalls.

"They were my biggest idols. They still are. They are still a huge influence on me when I come off the court because I value their insights on how I've played. That helps me to get better."

He still feels he can. So do Turkey, who have already begun their training camp ahead of Lithuania. This time, they will not have home advantage in their favour but they have now proved that they belong among the best.

Better to be hungry than satisfied, Güler underlines. With a tough start in Panev?žys, Turkey must pick up where it left off.

"But that's a challenge for us," he adds.

"If we accomplish it, the road to the final will be easier. If we come through the first round the way we want to, we'll have confidence going towards the next round."

With a tradition now established, it would be a surprise if they don't.