EUROBASKET 2011

France might remain perfect at the EuroBasket but Mickael Gelabal remembers that was the case in 2009 too after the first six games, only for Les Bleus to leave empty-handed

GROUP E - WEDNESDAY AT 18:00 (17:00 CET)

France will be thinking they have one foot in the Quarter-Final door ahead of Wednesday's game against Turkey.

By winning against Germany and Serbia in Group B, Vincent's Collet's team starts Group E play as the only side with a 2-0 record and in first place.

Turkey were stumbling but now they've gained some momentum, too.

Following back-to-back defeats, Turkey were on the ropes of leaving the tournament, and would have, had Poland managed to beat Great Britain on Monday.

But the Brits did the Turks a huge favor by beating Poland and knocking them out of the tournament, thus assuring Orhun Ene's squad of a place in the Second Round.

Turkey then improved their situation by upsetting Spain with a sterling defensive effort in the fourth quarter.

The Turks held Spain to just two points over the last 10 minutes so they are one of three teams from Group A to have a 1-1 record in Group E.

France's Tony Parker had a bruised thigh but played against Serbia while teammate Nicolas Batum suffered a cut above his right eye in Monday night's game. Batum was due to have stitches. Both players are expected to be in the line-up to face Turkey.

Meanwhile, Kerem Tunceri had to go to hospital to be examined after Turkey's defeat to Lithuania because he was hit in the face but doctors cleared him to play against Spain and he was on the court for 18 minutes.

Head To Head: Turkey thrashed France 95-77 in the Eight-Finals of the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Last Time Out: France edged Serbia after overtime, 97-96, and Turkey beat Spain, 65-57.

Key Match-Up: Emir Preldzic of Turkey v France's Nicolas Batum.

Key Stat: France are leading the EuroBasket in scoring, averaging 87.6 points per game while Turkey are eighth in the competition at 77.0.

X-Factor: Ender Arslan has the ability to spark Turkey's backcourt, both with his defense and scoring.

Sounding Off: "We can't relax mentally. In 2009, we were like 6-0 and then we lost to Spain. Everyone knows we have to stay focused," says France's Mickael Gelabale.