By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With Fenerbahce Beko preparing to take the stage at the Telekom Center Athens for the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four Athens, presented by Etihad, the Istanbul outfit held a press conference on Friday.
Head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius highlighted the evolution of his roster throughout the continental campaign. “We’re very happy to be back in the Final Four. We don’t take this achievement lightly and are working to prepare the team in the best possible way. We’ll see if we can go there and do a good job,” he explained. “Every season, you have to look at each game differently. This year, we were a new team. Throughout this journey, we tried to find our own path. We gradually succeeded in doing that. Before the Playoffs, we came together as a team and managed this stage well.”
“We will be playing against the EuroLeague leader. They are the big favorites,” the 50-year-old play-caller added, addressing the fierce semifinal clash opposite Olympiacos. “However, if we are in the right mental and physical condition, we can beat any team.”
“I don’t think the atmosphere is very important. The first rule of the Final Four is not to be affected by anything. You need to strive to be at your best level,” furthered Saras.
General manager Derya Yannier emphasized that reaching this stage remains an extraordinary feat. “We’ve been in the Final Four for three consecutive years, and this is our eighth Final Four in the last 11 years. This is a clear indication that Fenerbahce basketball is a pioneer in Turkish sports,” he mentioned.
“My only wish is that this success doesn’t become normalized. It’s a very special achievement,” he stressed. “There was a very demanding schedule. It was a tough season. Its reflection abroad is very positive. I hope it’s being understood domestically as well. As always, we will try to win.”
For veteran forward Nicolo Melli, who already powered the team to a EuroLeague crown last season, the mindset is strictly focused on the ultimate prize. “As the coach said, we must not take this success lightly. It’s a huge achievement for us, and we’re now very close to the biggest goal. So being at this point feels great,” he noted.
“We want to be prepared in the best possible way. Just like all season. We’ll try to go all the way. We have reached a great result, but we must not settle for this. There is much more we need to do.”
Final Four action tips off next Friday, with Fener taking on Olympiacos, shortly before Valencia battles Real Madrid. Following the adidas NextGen EuroLeague championship game on Sunday, the two semifinal winners meet in the championship game of the 2025-26 season.