Turk Telekom tipped off their EuroCup Basketball regular-season campaign with a statement 92-77 victory over Maxima Roma at the Ankara Arena on October 7, 2026. The home side combined efficient outside shooting with a dominant third quarter to turn a competitive first half into a comfortable win, sending a clear message to the rest of Group B.

Match Overview

Turk Telekom started aggressively, pushing the pace and attacking the rim early. A 10-2 run midway through the first quarter set the tone, and the hosts ended the opening period ahead 24-18. Maxima Roma responded with a more patient half-court attack in the second, using pick-and-roll action to free up shooters, but Turk Telekom maintained a slim 46-38 lead at the break.

The third quarter proved decisive. Turk Telekom exploded out of the locker room with a 14-2 surge, capped by back-to-back three-pointers from the wings. The defensive intensity also increased, as Roma were held to just 15 points in the period while committing six turnovers. By the end of the third, the scoreboard read 74-53, and the outcome was never seriously in doubt thereafter.

Key Moments

• First quarter, 4:32 remaining: A steal and fast-break dunk gave Turk Telekom a 14-6 lead and forced an early Roma timeout.
• Second quarter, 1:45 remaining: Roma cut the deficit to 40-36, but a buzzer-beating floater restored a two-possession cushion for the hosts.
• Third quarter, 6:10 remaining: A 12-0 run, including three consecutive triples, broke the game open at 60-42.
• Fourth quarter, 3:20 remaining: Roma trimmed the margin to 14, but Turk Telekom’s bench responded with a 6-0 spurt to seal the win.

Tactical Story

Turk Telekom’s coaching staff emphasized ball movement and quick decisions, and the players executed beautifully. The hosts finished with 22 assists on 34 made field goals, constantly finding the open man against Roma’s switching defense. Defensively, they clogged the paint and forced Roma into contested mid-range jumpers, limiting the Italian side to 41% shooting from the field and just 8-of-28 from beyond the arc.

Maxima Roma had success on the offensive glass early, grabbing eight offensive rebounds in the first half, but Turk Telekom adjusted by boxing out more aggressively after the break. The visitors also struggled with turnovers, committing 15 for the game, which the hosts converted into 20 points. The pace and physicality of the EuroCup level appeared to wear down Roma in the second half.

Standout Players

• Emre Demir (Turk Telekom): 22 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals — controlled the tempo and hit timely shots.
• Mert Yılmaz (Turk Telekom): 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks — dominated the interior on both ends.
• Kerem Aydın (Turk Telekom): 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists — provided a spark off the bench.
• Marco Rossi (Maxima Roma): 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists — kept his team within striking distance early.
• Luca Bianchi (Maxima Roma): 15 points, 5 assists — struggled with turnovers against pressure.

What It Means for the Standings

With the win, Turk Telekom starts the EuroCup Basketball regular season 1-0 in Group B, while Maxima Roma falls to 0-1. Turk Telekom will look to build on this performance when they travel to face a tough road opponent next week, while Roma returns home searching for their first victory. The 15-point margin could prove valuable if tiebreakers come into play later in the group stage.

For Turk Telekom, the balanced scoring and defensive discipline shown in this opener suggest they will be a serious contender for a deep EuroCup run. For Maxima Roma, the challenge is clear: reduce turnovers and find more consistent half-court offense before the next round.