A press conference was held before the final match of the Bitci Women’s Turkish Cup, hosted by Mersin. Mersin Yenişehir Municipality Atatürk Cultural Center Peace Hall, Mersin Yenişehir Mayor Abdullah Özyiğit, TBF Board Member Serap Yücesir, TBF Secretary General Dr. Serhan Antalyalı, TBF managers, head coaches of clubs and team captains attended.
Our head coach Victor Lapena: We trust our players, I think they will do their best
‘Thank you MersinVictor Lapena, Head Coach of Fenerbahçe Safiport Women’s Basketball Team, started by saying, “I really feel at home here because I am a person living in Spain, on the Mediterranean coast. So these places always remind me of my own home. I also want to thank the Turkish people very much because I have been working in Fenerbahçe for 3 years and I have always felt at home. Very friendly people and a very good country. Therefore, I always wish the best for both Turkey and Turkish basketball. As for basketball, first of all, I would like to congratulate the ÇBK Yenişehir Municipality team. They put up a very good fight and we will meet in the final. From our point of view, we started with a derby match against Galatasaray. I think we played a very good match there, too. Both the stands were full and there was a good fight on the field. I think it will be a very good final tomorrow as well. ÇBK is a quality team, but from now on, the ball is in the players’ hands. I think they will give maximum performance. We trust them. I think they will do their best.” said.
Captain Tuğçe Canıtez: As Fenerbahçe, we are a team that always and everywhere aims for the championship
Emphasizing that they are a team that always and everywhere aim for the championship, Tuğçe Canıtez said:It is very enjoyable for us to play this cup in a beautiful city like Mersin. Thank you everyone. Çukurova is truly one of the most valuable teams in both Europe and Turkey, and they have the advantage of playing at home right now. As the coach stated, our fans filled the hall during the derby match and there was a nice atmosphere. We hope that we will experience the same atmosphere again and our fans will be with us as always and will not leave us alone. As Fenerbahçe, we are a team that always and everywhere aims to win the championship. Çukurova is a team with a very valuable staff. I think it will be a very enjoyable and good match. Good luck.” he said.
Stating that the team that stays on the field as a team and does the best defense will reach the trophy, the Captain said:We have played with Esra for many years and Esra is one of my closest friends. On the field, we are both very professional people. We never share anything about our team. It will be an exciting match for us as well. Whoever can stay on the field as a team will win. Because I think it will be a very tough match. I think the team that makes the defense and stays together in the team will win.” said.
Our head coach Lapena: The outcome of this match will not affect our concentration in the EuroLeague Final Four in any way
Lapena stated that losing or winning in the Turkish Cup final will not affect our team’s concentration in the Women’s EuroLeague Final Four in any way.The outcome of this match will not affect our concentration in the EuroLeague Final Four in any way because the group of players I work with, some of which I am working with for the first time this year, but it is a very professional group of players in a real sense. So if we win, we will be very happy. If we lose, we will reset and renew ourselves within 24 hours, and then I don’t believe it will have an impact on the team’s concentration for the EuroLeague. Because they are a very professional group of athletes.” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of the long-standing rivalry between Fenerbahçe and Çukurova, Victor Lapena said:We are very happy that there is competition in women’s basketball because it raises the level even more. Competition is always a good element to have in sports.” said.
Our head coach Victor Lapena answered the question whether Alina Iagupova could play in the final as follows:
“It’s a secret. I can’t say anything about that (Laughing).”
Victor Lapena, Head Coach of Fenerbahçe Safiport Women’s Basketball Team, concluded his words as follows:
“It is no coincidence that the ÇBK team is in the final, they are a very good team. It is also a team that has qualified for the EuroCup Final Four. Therefore, they have very good teams, players and coaches. They also made it to the finals, like us, to the Final Four. Here we play on equal terms. There won’t be any surprises for me. This is a very serious level. Players will also perform very seriously on the field.“
Source:fenerbahce.org
