Fenerbahçe Beko Overcomes First-Half Struggles to Defeat Olimpia Milano
Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul rallied from a double-digit first-half deficit to defeat EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 79-75 in a Round 32 EuroLeague matchup on March 20, 2026. The victory marked Fenerbahçe’s 23rd win of the regular season.
First-Half Difficulties
Fenerbahçe Beko struggled in the first half, falling behind by a significant margin. Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius described his team’s first-half performance as “terrible.” Milan’s strong pressure proved challenging for Fenerbahçe’s playmakers.
Second-Half Comeback Fueled by Guards
The Turkish team mounted a comeback in the second half, largely due to improved play from their guards. Jasikevicius noted that when Talen Horton-Tucker and Wade Baldwin played alongside Nando de Colo, the team had three capable ball-handlers who could shoot, assist, and make decisions. Fenerbahçe also began to apply more pressure on defense.
Jasikevicius’s Assessment
Sarunas Jasikevicius acknowledged the team’s struggles with consistency, stating that they are currently in a challenging period despite their high standing in the EuroLeague standings. He emphasized the necessitate for players to be receptive to coaching and highlighted the importance of maintaining motivation. He specifically praised Horton-Tucker’s performance in the absence of Devon Hall.
Key Stats and Match Details
The final score was 79-75 in favor of Fenerbahçe Beko. The quarter scores were as follows:
- 1st Quarter: Fenerbahçe Beko 17 – Olimpia Milano 23
- 2nd Quarter: Fenerbahçe Beko 29 – Olimpia Milano 37
- 3rd Quarter: Fenerbahçe Beko 57 – Olimpia Milano 52
Looking Ahead
Fenerbahçe Beko will next face Maccabi Tel Aviv. The team will aim to build on their second-half performance and address the issues that plagued them in the first half to maintain their position in the EuroLeague standings.
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