By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Returning to Istanbul after capturing the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title in Abu Dhabi, Fenerbahce Beko extended celebrations, including a championship-winning parade on Tuesday. Starting Wednesday, the focus is fully on preparations for the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi Playoffs 2025.
“They are like children,” said head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius during a media session before the parade, comparing winning the EuroLeague as a player and as a coach, “Nobody is above anybody.”
The 49-year-old Lithuanian play-caller naturally rejected thinking about back-to-back championships in Europe’s premier club continental competition, looking to instead prepare his team for a best-of-three series opposite Turk Telekom.
“I don’t care about next year,” he downplayed early thoughts about the next edition of the EuroLeague, “I don’t know why I should think about next year when I’ve been half-drunk for the last 48 hours.”
After ranking first in the 2024-25 BSL Regular Season with a 27-3 record, the domestic campaign resumes with Game 1 of the Quarterfinals series in Ulker Sports Arena on Thursday.
“Everybody thinks I probably change for the games. But no, we are like this every day. They know the same person every day. I don’t think anything can surprise them. So, I’m just trying to be myself,” Jasikevicius also described his planned approach to the players after his first EuroLeague championship as a coach.
BSL Play In Tournament
Galatasaray – Onvo Buyukcekmece 94-70
Bursaspor Yorsan – Turk Telekom 70-74
Onvo Buyukcekmece – Turk Telekom 73-84
BSL Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best of three)
1. Fenerbahce Beko – Turk Telekom
2. Tofas – Bahcesehir Koleji
3. Besiktas Fibabanka – Galatasaray
4. Anadolu Efes – Mersin Spor
Semifinals (best of five)
Winners 1-2
Winners 3-4
Finals (best of five)
Winners of Semifinals