Dusan Alimpijevic: We’re proud to be right behind Fenerbahce, the European champions

Comfortable win in Athens keeps first-place hopes alive

Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic reflected after his team’s Round 18 EuroCup victory at Panionios, a result that secured at least a second-place finish in the group and kept the top spot within reach. The win in Athens gave Besiktas more clarity about their path to the quarterfinals.

Alimpijevic noted Panionios have dealt with roster problems, and he expressed respect for the club’s history and hopes they can remain competitive in the Greek league. He praised his players for staying focused from the tip, moving the ball well and taking smart shots: “We didn’t force anything, we took what the game gave us.”

Team effort, smart rotation and what’s next

The season has been strong for Besiktas so far. They sit at 13-5 in the EuroCup and 16-3 in the Turkish Super League. Alimpijevic said the squad is proud of its form, especially given the level of investment and depth across Turkish clubs this year. He added that the team needs to stay concentrated on their responsibilities and trust the management’s plan.

In Athens the coach managed minutes carefully: no player logged more than 22 minutes and everyone saw at least six minutes on the floor. That approach was meant to protect the roster ahead of an important stretch that includes the Turkish Cup. Alimpijevic also emphasized that players who earned time now must make the most of shorter bursts on court.

Besiktas will be watching tomorrow’s Buducnost vs Bourg game — a Buducnost win would hand Besiktas the group’s top seed. For now, the focus remains on preparation and keeping momentum going into the cup and the rest of the EuroCup schedule.