Expectation levels are high for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul as it enters year two under head coach Dimitris Itoudis. The Greek tactician led the Turkish club to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs last year, but the goal in the 2023-24 season is clear: to make it back to the Final Four after last getting there in 2019.
After a regular season in which it finished 19-15, going 12-5 at Ulker Sports and Events Hall and 7-10 on the road, Fenerbahce took its game up a notch in the playoffs but ultimately came just short against Olympiacos Piraeus, losing the series 3-2. From last year's team, Fenerbahce will once again be able to call upon the likes of Johnathan Motley, Nigel Hayes-Davis, Dyshawn Pierre, Marko Guduric and Scottie Wilbekin in the coming season.
Fenerbahce's summer signings
Fenerbahce has added to its options this summer, with the first signing of the offseason being a surprising one as Yam Madar – the 2022-23 EuroLeague Rising Star winner – joined from Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. The next to arrive was Sertac Sanli, who returns to his native Turkiye after two years at FC Barcelona. Sanli has reached the last three Final Fours, first doing so Anadolu Efes Istanbul in 2021 before repeating that feat with FC Barcelona in 2022 and 2023.
Then, Fenerbahce snapped up Nate Sestina following his impressive debut BKT EuroCup season with Turk Telekom Ankara, before adding 2021-22 All-EuroLeague Second Team member Georgios Papagiannis from Panathinaikos Athens. The last player to arrive at Ulker Sports and Events Hall was Raul Neto, but a knee injury suffered at the 2023 FIBA World Cup means that he will be out of action for quite some time.
Making home court count
Fenerbahce plays four of its first six games at home in the 2023-24 season, so Coach Itoudis's squad have the chance to create some early momentum. The team's season opener against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Istanbul will be a tough challenge, but a victory in front of its passionate fans would be the perfect way to start the campaign.
From there, Fenerbahce travels to face Valencia Basket in Round 2 before back-to-back home games in Rounds 3 and 4 against Ergin Ataman's Panathinaikos Athens and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, respectively. A trip to Germany to take on FC Bayern Munich follows in Round 5, then Fenerbahce returns to Turkiye to take on Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 6.
Should Fenerbahce come through those games and find itself with a nice-looking record, it may provide the platform for a strong regular season.