Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş to meet in Presidential Cup derby final

The Fenerbahçe Tarfin and Beşiktaş men's basketball teams held a press conference at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall ahead of the 39th Men's Presidential Cup game.

The Fenerbahçe Tarfin and Beşiktaş men's basketball teams held a press conference at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall ahead of the 39th Men's Presidential Cup game. The two teams' head coaches and captains assessed the final, which will be played tomorrow.

Jasikevicius: Small details will be the key factor

Fenerbahçe Tarfin men's basketball head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius said they had been working for approximately three to four weeks for the season and were trying to integrate the new players into the team. Saying that tomorrow's game was special for them, Jasikevicius stated that they wanted to make a fast start to the season.

Jasikevicius said his team needed to control its emotions in the final, prevent Beşiktaş from scoring easy points, value every possession and pay attention to the small details. He added that they could put in a good performance if they kept their mistakes to a minimum.

Alimpijevic: We will do our very best

Beşiktaş men's basketball head coach Dusan Alimpijevic said they would do their very best against Fenerbahçe. Saying they were happy to appear in the Presidential Cup for two consecutive seasons, Alimpijevic stated that they viewed the cup as an opportunity to leave the previous period behind and focus on the new season.

Alimpijevic said 10 new players had joined Beşiktaş's roster and that they needed to raise the team's form to its best level as quickly as possible. The Serbian head coach said they respected Fenerbahçe and recalled that the two teams had previously faced each other in the final four or five times.

Alimpijevic said he did not feel pressure because they would compete in the European basketball league this season, adding that playing in the competition was a source of happiness for them. He said Türkiye had invested heavily in basketball, Turkish fans filled the arenas and the country deserved to be represented by three teams in the European basketball league.

Emphasizing that they were still at the beginning of the season, Alimpijevic said they had not had enough time to complete their preparations. He said neither team might be able to produce its best performance on the court, making it important for them to show their character.

Mahmutoğlu: It is important to make a good start to the season

Fenerbahçe Tarfin captain Melih Mahmutoğlu said both teams were at the beginning of the season and were going through a period of adjustment as teams. Congratulating Beşiktaş, Mahmutoğlu said they had faced their opponents in finals for the past two or three seasons.

Mahmutoğlu said it was important for Beşiktaş to compete in the European basketball league this season and for three Turkish teams to take part in the competition, adding that the opposing team deserved to play in the European basketball league.

Mahmutoğlu said tomorrow's game would be a derby and that derby matches were more enjoyable for players. He said the fans' enthusiasm would create a genuine final atmosphere and noted that Beşiktaş's recent performance was valuable.

Morgan to take the court as captain for the first time

Beşiktaş's Canadian captain Conor Morgan said they would play an enjoyable game against Fenerbahçe. Saying that many new players had joined the team, Morgan stated that the final atmosphere would serve as a welcome to the team for the new players.

Morgan said he would play his first official game as Beşiktaş captain and that the role was important to him. Saying that Beşiktaş were trying to build an important structure, Morgan noted that their success over the past two seasons demonstrated this effort and that the team had performed well recently.