On January 10, 2024, in a EuroLeague Round 20 showdown in Istanbul, Fenerbahce Beko clashed with Partizan Moozart Bet Belgrade in what unfolded as a master-versus-student encounter. Despite an early 17-point lead for Zeljko Obradovic’s squad, Sarunas Jasikevicius and his team exhibited resilience on the defensive end, overturning the deficit and securing a convincing 91-76 victory.
Fenerbahce faced challenges in the initial stages, conceding 31 points in the first quarter but tightening their defense to allow only an additional 45 points combined over the subsequent three quarters.
In the post-game conference, Coach Jasikevicius was queried about the timeframe needed for consistently strong defense throughout the entire game. Responding with a touch of humor, he remarked, “We need to go to church and pray for that.”
The coach emphasized the evident duality within Fenerbahce’s performance, stating, “It is very clear that there are two different Fenerbahces: one is very disciplined and very physical, and one still cannot do that for long periods of time. If we want to achieve something this year, it has to be for longer periods of time.”
Expressing optimism, Jasikevicius acknowledged the team’s efforts to learn and implement the defensive system, highlighting the challenges posed by the demanding schedule. He stressed the importance of time in the learning process and urged focus on the positive aspects of the team’s performance.
Since taking the helm, Saras boasts a 6-1 record in the EuroLeague, contributing to Fenerbahce’s temporary move into the Top 4 standings.
