Fenerbahçe Ülker wins cup final over Galatasaray

ESKİŞEHİR

Fenerbahçe Ülker power forward İlkan Karaman (R) drives to the basket during his team’s win over Galatasaray.

Fenerbahçe Ülker beat archrival Galatasaray Medical Park to win the Spor Toto Turkish Cup in men’s basketball Feb. 10.

A commanding fourth-quarter performance from forward Emir Preldzic, who was playing through a finger injury, was the key as the Yellow Canaries claimed their fourth Turkish Cup and third in the last four seasons.
It was disappointment for Galatasaray, who last won the domestic cup trophy 18 years ago.

Fenerbahçe Ülker general manager Kemal Dinçer said that the cup victory was important in showing the team’s ambitions.

“I want to congratulate Galatasaray first. They are a good team and played well today, but we had a claim all along. We have been saying that we are the best team in the country,” Dinçer told broadcaster Lig TV. “The win was important for us to show that. Thanks to all the players and coaching staff for that achievement.”

Fenerbahçe Ülker, who had started the season with high expectations fueled by the signings of big stars Bo McCalebb, David Andersen, Mike Batiste and Romain Sato, had a string of disappointing results in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague. However, the Istanbul club is leading the Beko Basketball League with 15 wins in 17 matches.

Fenerbahçe Ülker had to stop a solid Galatasaray side, who led the first three quarters.

Galatasaray took a 30-28 lead late in the second quarter with a 10-0 run, and went on to close the first half 32-29.

Fenerbahçe Ülker made a fast start to the second half with a 7-0 run, but was met with another 7-0 run from Galatasaray, who took a 39-36 lead.

It was not until the last six minutes when Fenerbahçe Ülker tied the game and Prelzdic made the deciding lay-up with just 13 seconds left in the game to give the winners a 61-57 lead.

Preldzic had seven points, three assists and three rebounds in just 13 minutes.