ISTANBUL — Fenerbahce have set a new EuroLeague single-game record with 14 blocks in a 74-65 victory over Partizan in Istanbul, delivering a commanding defensive display on home soil that also provided head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius with material for a humorous post-match reflection.
"Can you imagine how bad of a defense we're playing to keep coming around and blocking shots? If you play good defense, you don't need to block a shot, but the record is always fun, and we'll take it, for sure, and celebrate," Jasikevicius said after watching his side secure the nine-point win and rewrite the competition's record books.
Markus Bingham led the historic effort with five blocks, anchoring a collective performance that saw Fenerbahce surpass the previous EuroLeague single-game record of 12. That mark had been shared by Estudiantes against Zalgiris on 13 December 2000 and by Zalgiris against Asseco Prokom on 18 December 2008, and had stood for nearly two decades before being broken in Istanbul.
Jasikevicius's light-hearted critique underlined his exacting standards, suggesting that a flurry of blocks can indicate recovery work rather than flawless initial defence, yet he made clear the achievement would be enjoyed. The rim protection proved central to holding Partizan to 65 points, giving Fenerbahce a notable milestone to accompany an important early-season victory.
The result adds early momentum for Fenerbahce in the EuroLeague campaign, with the record-setting night offering both a statistical landmark and a reminder of the interior presence that could prove valuable as the season progresses.