Euroleague champion Fenerbahçe returns to Istanbul

The Fenerbahçe Men's Basketball Team declared themselves champions after defeating the French side Monaco 81-70 in the Final Four final match held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

While this victory for the yellow-navy team was celebrated across the country, the team and technical staff arrived in Istanbul today. The delegation entered through the General Aviation Terminal at Sabiha Gökçen Airport via a private plane, and fans arrived at the area despite the rain.

Tarık Biberovic, who went to the fans and applauded them, later shared his feelings with the microphones. Thanking the yellow-navy fans, Tarık said, "We are all truly very happy and are still trying to realize that we are the Conquerors of Europe. It is an incredible feeling. My only thoughts are to celebrate nicely this evening and go to Bağdat Street tomorrow. We were so happy with the songs on the plane; it is an incredible feeling."

"WE DESERVED THE TROPHY"

When asked about the perception that they were not the favorites in the tournament, Tarık replied:

"I don't understand that. There is something I have been saying since the beginning of the season; we have an incredible squad. We showed this. We showed everyone who is who. I trust this team and we truly deserved the trophy."

Speaking about the yellow-navy fans, the young player said, "Our fans support us everywhere. They have never left our side throughout the season. I am grateful that we have them."

The team's American player Errick McCollum said, "This is actually a team effort. It happened as a result of the efforts of all my teammates, the technical staff, the medical staff, and our fans who supported us all year and came there. We achieved this success together. I did my best, but my teammates and coaches enabled me to contribute in the best way possible. I thank them."

"WE WANT TO WIN ALL THE TROPHIES"

Captain Melih Mahmutoğlu went to the area where the fans were with the trophy, and they exchanged chants. Later, speaking to members of the press, Mahmutoğlu stated that he was proud of the team, saying, "This team showed all year that it deserved this trophy. May this trophy be a gift to our fans, our country, and our community. Fenerbahçe is always here; in the Final Four, in championships. I am proud of the entire staff working here; there is truly a lot of effort here. Everyone worked very hard to win this trophy. We are very happy that we finally reached the trophy. We have the Turkish League ahead of us. We will win that too. We want to win all the trophies because this community deserves it."

Fenerbahçe Beko Head Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius also went to the fans and shared in their joy. Finally, the entire team exchanged chants with the fans. The yellow-navy delegation then left the airport by team bus.

News Source: İHA