29.04.2026 00:40
Fenerbahçe Beko defeated Zalgiris Kaunas 89-78 in the first game of the EuroLeague playoff series, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Fenerbahçe Beko defeated Lithuanian team Zalgiris 89-78 at home in the first match of the Basketball EuroLeague playoff series.
FENERBAHÇE STARTS PLAY-OFF WITH ADVANTAGE
With this result, the yellow-navy team took a 1-0 lead in the series. The second match of the playoff series, where the team reaching three wins will advance to the Final Four, will be played on Thursday, April 30 at Ülker Sports and Event Hall.
Zalgiris, scoring from attacks directed by Williams-Goss against a slow-starting Fenerbahçe Beko, took a 6-point lead in the 5th minute: 4-10. The yellow-navy team, balancing the game by tightening their defense, took the lead with Baldwin's basket in the 8th minute: 15-14. In the remaining part, where the lead changed hands many times, Fenerbahçe completed the first period ahead 22-20 with a 3-point basket by Tarık Biberovic with 1 second left.
PULLED AWAY IN THE SECOND HALF
Starting the second quarter with a 7-0 run, the yellow-navy team did not allow Zalgiris many scoring opportunities. Fenerbahçe Beko extended the lead to double digits in the 16th minute with Melli's basket from under the basket: 34-23. The yellow-navy team, playing dominantly from start to finish and hitting 5 three-pointers, including 3 from Tarık, completed this period ahead 47-29, going to the locker room with an 18-point advantage.
In the third period, Fenerbahçe struggled to organize in defense and offense. Zalgiris, scoring consecutively through Williams-Goss and Wright, reduced the gap to 6 in the 26th minute: 51-45. The yellow-navy team finished this quarter, where the Lithuanian representative played better, ahead 65-57.
Fenerbahçe Beko, recovering in the fourth quarter, allowed Zalgiris only 3 points in the first 3.5 minutes. With experienced player De Colo stepping in, the yellow-navy team organized better offensively, and with consecutive baskets from Melli, they achieved a 17-point lead in the 26th minute: 77-60. Zalgiris quickly responded with points from Williams-Goss and Francisco, reducing the gap to 7 in the 38th minute: 83-76.
Maintaining their advantage in the remaining minutes, the yellow-navy team won 89-78 and took a 1-0 lead in the playoff series.