Final Day in the 39th Men’s Presidential Cup
The winner of the 39th Men’s Presidential Cup will be decided when Fenerbahçe Tarfin face Beşiktaş in a highly anticipated Turkish basketball derby. The game, featuring the reigning champions of the Basketball Super League and the Turkish Cup, will begin at 8 p.m. at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall.
The match will be officiated by Özlem Yalman, Alper Altuğ Köselerli and Kaan Büyükçil. Fans unable to attend the game will be able to watch the encounter live on TRT 1.
A rematch for the trophy
Fenerbahçe Tarfin and Beşiktaş will meet for the second time in the history of the Presidential Cup. Their previous encounter took place on September 24, 2025, also at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall. Fenerbahçe prevailed in a thrilling contest, defeating Beşiktaş 85-83 to lift the trophy.
The upcoming final gives Beşiktaş an opportunity to respond to that narrow loss, while Fenerbahçe will be aiming to strengthen its recent dominance in the competition. With both clubs entering the game with strong domestic ambitions, the derby is expected to be decided by defensive discipline, shot selection and the ability to manage pressure in the closing minutes.
Fenerbahçe seeking a ninth title
Fenerbahçe have won the Presidential Cup eight times and will attempt to add another title to their collection. The club’s first triumph came in 1990, when it defeated Galatasaray 95-86.
The yellow-and-navy team also won the competition in 1991 and 1994. After a lengthy absence from the winners’ list, Fenerbahçe returned to the top in 2007 by beating Anadolu Efes 79-77. The club went on to claim further titles in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2025.
Fenerbahçe have also finished runners-up 11 times, underlining the club’s long-standing presence in the tournament. A victory over Beşiktaş would give the team its ninth championship and further narrow the gap separating it from the competition’s record holder.
Beşiktaş aiming for a second championship
Beşiktaş have won the Presidential Cup once. Their only title came on September 30, 2012, when the black-and-white side defeated Anadolu Efes 77-75.
The club has reached the final on other occasions but was unable to secure the trophy. Beşiktaş lost to Karşıyaka in 1987 and to Fenerbahçe in 2025. The latest final therefore represents both a chance to win a second title and an opportunity to avenge last year’s two-point defeat.
A strong start could be particularly important for Beşiktaş. Fenerbahçe’s experience in high-pressure finals makes it dangerous when the game remains close, so Beşiktaş will need to maintain concentration throughout all four quarters.
Anadolu Efes remains the record holder
Anadolu Efes is the most successful team in Presidential Cup history, with 14 championships. The club won the competition in 1986, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2024.
The first nine of those titles were won under the name Efes Pilsen, while the remaining five came after the club adopted the Anadolu Efes name. Although Anadolu Efes will not be involved in this final, its record remains the benchmark for the two Istanbul rivals.
Ülkerspor’s remarkable winning streak
Ülkerspor have six Presidential Cup titles and hold a unique record in the tournament. The club is the only team to win the competition five years in a row.
Ülkerspor claimed the trophy in 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Its run of five consecutive championships remains one of the most impressive achievements in the history of Turkish basketball.
Since the tournament was first organized in 1985, Galatasaray, Pınar Karşıyaka and Türk Telekom have each won the cup twice. Eczacıbaşı, Çukurova and TOFAŞ have also reached the top once.
What could decide the final?
The derby is likely to be shaped by the teams’ defensive approach. In a one-game final, even a short scoring drought can change the balance, while turnovers and offensive rebounds may prove decisive.
Fenerbahçe will rely on its greater final experience and its ability to control the tempo. Beşiktaş, meanwhile, will look to play with intensity, exploit transition opportunities and prevent the game from being dictated by its opponent.
The Presidential Cup traditionally opens the season with a matchup between the previous campaign’s leading teams. Beyond the trophy itself, the game offers both clubs an early opportunity to measure their competitiveness and build confidence for the rest of the season. With a title, a rivalry and recent history all at stake, the final promises another closely contested chapter in Turkish basketball.