Galatasaray Falls Short Against Tenerife, Pozzecco Praises Team’s Fight

TENERIFE, Spain – Galatasaray MCT Technic suffered an 84-83 defeat to La Laguna Tenerife in the first leg of their Basketball Champions League quarterfinal series on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Despite a valiant comeback attempt, the Turkish side fell just short on the road, leaving the series delicately poised ahead of next week’s return leg in Istanbul. The game, played at Santiago Martin Arena in Tenerife, saw Galatasaray nearly overcome a 17-point deficit.

The loss marks the first game in the series, with Galatasaray now facing a 1-0 disadvantage. The team will need to win the second leg, scheduled for April 8th in Istanbul, to force a decisive third game. For fans unfamiliar with the Champions League format, a best-of-three series determines advancement to the Final Four.

Late-Game Drama in Tenerife

Tenerife established an early lead, finishing the first quarter ahead 23-15. Galatasaray responded in the second, regaining momentum and taking a 41-40 lead into halftime. The third quarter saw Tenerife pull ahead again, leading 64-56, setting the stage for a tense final period. Galatasaray fought back relentlessly, bringing the game down to the wire, but ultimately couldn’t convert on the final possession.

Pozzecco: “Proud of My Players”

Following the narrow defeat, Galatasaray head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco expressed his pride in his team’s performance. “I am proud of my players because we never gave up,” Pozzecco said, according to reports. “I have great respect for Tenerife. They have a good organization, a good technical staff and good players, and I understand them. I have known Huertas and Fitipaldo for a long time, they are great players.”

Pozzecco acknowledged the close nature of the contest, stating, “Today we played a really good game. We didn’t supply up, we could have won the game on the last possession, but that is just a detail. We made some mistakes too.” He also emphasized the positive impact he’s had on the team since arriving in January 2026. “Since I came to Istanbul, my players have been showing very good things on the court. I think our fans would have enjoyed watching us today.”

Galatasaray’s Roster and Season Overview

Galatasaray is currently in its 114th season as a club, competing in both the Turkish Basketball Super League and the Basketball Champions League. The team underwent a coaching change earlier in the season, with Yakup Sekizkök initially leading the team before being replaced by Gökhan Turan on a caretaker basis. Gianmarco Pozzecco took over as head coach on January 5, 2026.

The current roster features a mix of experienced veterans and rising stars. Errick McCollum, at 38 years old, captains the team. Key players include Boogie Ellis (25), Jerome Robinson (29), Zekeriya Yiğit Tekin (21), and Tibet Görener (23). The team plays its home games at the Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi.

What’s Next for Galatasaray?

Galatasaray will look to even the series against La Laguna Tenerife when they host the second leg of the quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday, April 8th at the Sinan Erdem Spor Salonu in Istanbul. The game is crucial for Galatasaray’s hopes of reaching the Champions League Final Four. Fans can find updated schedules and ticket information on the official Galatasaray website: https://www.galatasaray.org/

The winner of the series will advance to the Final Four, continuing their pursuit of the Basketball Champions League title. The stakes are high, and Galatasaray will be relying on home-court advantage and the continued strong play of its core players to secure a victory and keep their championship aspirations alive.