By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A complicated campaign for Fenerbahce Beko, including changing the head coach earlier in the 2023-24 schedule, met up with capturing the ING Turkiye Cup on Sunday.
“I am very happy for my players,” Lithuanian play-caller Sarunas Jasikevicius told Fenerbahce TV, “They were very serious all week, not only in this game.”
His side went from eliminating Aliaga Petkimspor in the Quarterfinals to overpowering Istanbul rivals Besiktas Emlakjet and Anadolu Efes in the Final Four held in Konya.
Masterminding the victory versus the fellow Turkish Airlines EuroLeague club in the championship game, Nick Calathes piled up ten points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. “It was a team effort,” the experienced floor general pointed out, “We fought and played as a team.”
Fenerbahce was crowned champion for the eighth time in team history, reducing the deficit from the 12 titles attached to leading Efes. “We aim to lift two more trophies,” team captain Melih Mahmutoglu referred to the EuroLeague and Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi.
“Fenerbahce played a tough and physical game,” described losing head coach Tomislav Mijatovic, “We will continue to fight and improve our game step-by-step, game-by-game.”
Tied at 17-3, the winner and runner-up of the domestic Cup share the top of the BSL standings. In the EuroLeague table, Fener sits in a tie with Olympiacos at the bottom end of the top six spots berthing a direct ticket to the Playoffs, while the Istanbul rival is two games outside the Play-In zone.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net