The Bahçeşehir basketball team from Istanbul was facing the possibility of being eliminated from the Eurocup just last week. Cedevita Olimpija visited the “Sinan Erdem Dome,” where the Turkish side was expected to progress to the semifinals. However, during the second quarter, the “dragons” established a 19-point lead (30:11), leaving coach Dejan Radonjić of the Turkish team concerned about their performance.

It was during this challenging moment that the home team began to respond, led by Montenegrin national player Marko Simonović. His entry onto the court sparked a change in momentum, and Bahçeşehir managed to cut the deficit in half before halftime. Eventually, they emerged victorious with a score of (85:81), securing their spot in the semifinals. Simonović was undoubtedly the star of the match, contributing 20 points, four rebounds, three steals, and achieving an index rating of 27, earning him the title of most valuable player in the quarterfinals.

“We played a significant and crucial game, one where we couldn’t afford to make mistakes. We didn’t start well, but we improved as the game progressed, ultimately winning and moving on to the semifinals, which is what matters most,” Simonović remarked.

Cedevita had arrived in Istanbul following a victory against another Turkish rival, Beşiktaş, which is also Simonović’s former team, in the playoffs.

“Cedevita is a strong team; they defeated both Beşiktaş and Red Star before facing us. They started the match better, but I believe we showcased our improved performance in the second half, particularly in the final quarter.”

Simonović joined Bahçeşehir from Beşiktaş last season, where he averaged 7.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in the Eurocup, and in the Turkish league, he averaged 8.3 points and 5.2 rebounds.

“I’m pleased with my performance, but there’s always space for growth. It’s a long season that has its ups and downs, but ultimately, what counts is our teamwork. We maintain a winning mentality, and I hope it stays that way until the season’s end,” Simonović said, noting that he would decide on his future after the season, as he signed a one-year contract with Bahçeşehir.

This summer, Simonović was welcomed to Bahçeşehir by Dejan Radonjić, who has been coaching since December 2023. Under Radonjić, Bahçeşehir secured second place in the FIBA Europe Cup last season and is now targeting the EuroCup title this season.

“Radonjić and I have developed a solid working relationship. We understand our roles and responsibilities. There’s not much to overthink—it’s a structured approach that yields results,” Simonović explained.

Bahçeşehir is now in the semifinals and will face Gran Canaria next. The series is set to begin next week and will be played in a best-of-three format. The two teams have previously met in the group stage this season, with each side winning their home game.

“This scenario is a bit different because it’s a two-match elimination. We know Gran Canaria is a formidable opponent, which has been evident over the years. It won’t be an easy task, but we will give our best efforts, and I hope we can reach the finals,” Simonović stated.

Bahçeşehir is considered one of the favorites for the title and aims for a spot in the Euroleague next season.

“Our ambitions are always set high. We have a strong team and have consistently proven we can compete with anyone. With our home-court advantage, we intend to utilize it effectively.”

Bahçeşehir clinched the FIBA Europe Cup three years ago. The club has witnessed growth in recent years, both in terms of performance and organizational structure, with aspirations to qualify for the Euroleague.

“The organization is on par with Euroleague standards, potentially one of the best I’ve encountered, excluding those in the United States. The club is highly ambitious, but it faces the challenge of having no rich history and lacking a substantial fan base. However, with their current program and investment, I believe this will change over time. The journey to the Euroleague is undoubtedly challenging, but I feel this club stands a great chance if it continues on its current path,” remarked Simonović.

It’s too early to discuss Eurobasket.

Recently, Marko Simonović celebrated his selection to the European Championship with the Montenegrin national team.

Montenegro qualified for the continental championship for the third time in a row and the fifth time overall, which will take place from August 27 to September 14 in Latvia, Poland, Finland, and Cyprus.

“The national team has enjoyed a lot of success and commendable results over the past four or five years. The atmosphere within the team is excellent. It’s always a pleasure to play alongside these guys,” Simonović expressed.

It’s premature to set goals for the championship as the draw hasn’t occurred yet, which is scheduled for March 27th in Riga.

Our team is awaiting placement from the third pot, which includes teams like Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic. This means Boško Radović’s team won’t face Katowice, and they’re also likely to avoid Iceland, who has been chosen by Poland as their group rival.

“It’s difficult to make any statements at this point. Once everything is finalized and preparations kick off, we will establish our goals. I hope we will continue our strong performances,” Simonović concluded.

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