Pablo Laso: This was one of the toughest away games in Europe

Tough debut in Istanbul

Pablo Laso’s first match in charge of Anadolu Efes couldn’t have been tougher — an away derby at Fenerbahce, the reigning European champions who had been red hot coming into the game. The teams went all the way to overtime and Efes came up just short, with the result decided in the final moments.

Despite the loss, Laso praised his players for their effort and character. He said it was one of the hardest road tests in Europe, that he’ll study where things went wrong, and that he’s pleased with how the squad responded under pressure — even if the final score didn’t go their way.

What’s next for Efes

There’s a lot to fix. Efes sit below expectations in the EuroLeague at 5–10 and are 6–5 in the Turkish Super League. Injuries have also hit the roster hard, including issues for Shane Larkin, which hasn’t helped consistency.

Up next is a double EuroLeague round with matches against Zalgiris and Dubai, a stretch where Laso will be looking to halt the team’s six-game skid and start turning results around. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce remain in great form, boasting a strong 10–1 record in both the EuroLeague and the domestic league.

The derby was a hard-fought affair that went to extra time — a narrow defeat but one that showed the new coach and his players have fight.

Post-game reactions around the league touched on several themes: defense being vital, respect for veteran coaches, and how teams are navigating changes and player availability. Several players and coaches shared their thoughts after the game, highlighting the competitive nature of the domestic and continental competitions.