Newsletters
Fenerbahce Beko opened their EuroLeague playoff campaign with an 89-78 home victory over Zalgiris Kaunas, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-series.
Speaking after the game, head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius said the team was pleased with the result but stressed the need for further improvement as the series unfolds.
Jasikevicius said the team was satisfied to go 1-0 up in the series, noting that there were still many details to work on despite what he described as a generally strong performance.
He added that the team played well for most of the game but pointed to lapses, particularly in the third quarter, where concentration levels dropped.
According to the Lithuanian coach, such moments of comfort are unacceptable in playoff basketball, emphasizing that sustaining a high level over longer stretches will be crucial if Fenerbahce are to close out the series.
Zalgiris head coach Tomas Masiulis said Fenerbahce deserved the win, attributing the result to their opponent’s experience and physical presence on the court.
Masiulis noted that his team managed to raise their intensity in the third quarter and improved ball movement, but admitted that poor outside shooting made it difficult to keep up.
He also pointed out that they were unable to apply enough pressure on Tarik, particularly in the first half, which further limited their chances.
With the win, Fenerbahce takes a 1-0 lead in the playoff series, in which teams must secure multiple victories to advance.
While the opening result provides momentum, both coaches indicated that adjustments will be key as the series continues.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
2 min read
