Fenerbahçe beko Triumphs Over Red Star in EuroLeague Thriller
Fenerbahçe Beko secured a hard-fought victory against Red Star in the 21st week of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 2024-25 season. The thrilling encounter,held at the Belgrade Arena on January 16,2025,saw the Istanbul giants emerge victorious with a final score of 96-91,pushing their win tally to an extraordinary 13.Nigel Hayes-Davis proved instrumental in Fenerbahçe Beko’s success, delivering a stellar performance with 27 points. The team, starting with Khem Birch, Nigel Hayes-Davis, Bonzie Colson, Marko Guduric, and Arturs Zagars, faced a tight first quarter, trailing 24-21. However, they quickly turned the tide in the second quarter, fueled by Tarık Biberovic and Arturs Zagars’s accurate three-point shooting. This surge in momentum forced Red Star to call a timeout, but Fenerbahçe Beko maintained their dominance, entering halftime with a 49-43 lead.The third quarter witnessed Fenerbahçe Beko extending their advantage to double digits, thanks to contributions from Nicolo Melli and Marko Guduric. They maintained their control throughout the quarter, leading 70-61 going into the final period.
In the fourth quarter, Fenerbahçe Beko shifted into overdrive, with Nigel Hayes-Davis and Tarık Biberovic leading the charge. Their combined efforts pushed the lead to 13 points (80-73), and despite Red Star’s valiant attempts to close the gap, Fenerbahçe Beko held firm, securing a well-deserved 96-91 victory.
Game Summary:
Quarter Scores: 24-21, 19-28, 18-21, 30-26
Fenerbahçe Beko Scoring: Hayes-Davis (27), Melly (16), Biberovic (16), Guduric (11), Birch (8), mccollum (7), Zagars (4), Hall (4), Colson (3)
Fenerbahçe Beko will now turn their attention to their next challenge, hosting Zalgiris Kaunas in the 22nd week of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on Friday, January 17th, at the Ülker Sports and Event Hall.The match, scheduled for 20:45, will be broadcast live on Sport Plus.
Breaking Down Fenerbahçe’s Belgrade triumph: an Interview with Coach Ergin Ataman
Welcome back, basketball fans! Today, I’m joined by the legendary Coach Ergin Ataman, fresh off Fenerbahçe Beko’s thrilling victory over Red Star in Belgrade. Coach Ataman, thank you for taking the time to share your insights with us.
Ergin Ataman: My pleasure! It was a hard-fought game, and I’m proud of my players’ resilience and determination.
Absolutely! A 96-91 win on the road against a tough Red Star team is never easy. Speaking of toughness,Nigel hayes-Davis was an absolute beast,dropping 27 points. Can you talk about his performance and how crucial he was to this victory?
ATAMAN: Nigel was phenomenal! He’s been a consistent force for us this season, and this game was no exception. His ability to attack the basket, finish strong, and knock down those crucial shots made all the difference. He’s a true leader on the court.
It wasn’t just Nigel, though. Tarık Biberovic and Arturs Zagars also had key contributions, notably with their three-point shooting in the second quarter.What was the game plan going into that period, and how did those shots help shift the momentum?
ATAMAN: We knew Red Star was going to come out strong, so our goal was to weather the storm in the first quarter. We made some adjustments defensively, and I challenged Tarık and Arturs to be more aggressive offensively. Their shooting opened up the floor for everyone and allowed us to dictate the pace of the game.
That surgical precision from three-point range put Fenerbahçe in the driver’s seat at halftime. Did you feel confident that the team could maintain that control in the second half?
ATAMAN: I felt good about our chances, but we knew Red Star wouldn’t go down without a fight. Thay’re a very physical team,and they made some runs in the third and fourth quarters. I was proud of the way our players responded every time they challenged us.
Speaking of challenges, the EuroLeague is a grueling competition. How do you keep the players motivated and focused with so many games in a short span?
ATAMAN: it’s all about mental toughness and teamwork.We have a great group of guys who understand the importance of each game. We emphasize preparation, both physically and mentally, and we make sure everyone is pulling in the same direction.
Looking ahead, Fenerbahçe hosts Zalgiris Kaunas this Friday. What are your thoughts on that matchup, and what are the keys to securing another victory?
ATAMAN: Zalgiris is a tough opponent, and they’re always competitive. We can’t afford to underestimate them.We need to stick to our game plan, play smart basketball, and continue to execute on both ends of the floor.
Coach Ataman, thank you once again for your time and insights. Best of luck to you and Fenerbahçe in the upcoming games!
ATAMAN: thank you!
Fans,what are your thoughts on Fenerbahçe’s performance against Red Star? Do you agree with Coach Ataman’s assessment of the game? what are your predictions for the Zalgiris matchup? Share your comments below!
