“It was a war and we won it”

Besiktas Istanbul and JL Bourg, the best teams in Group B, have reached the final of the BKT EuroCup, due to duel for the competition's grand trophy. The Turks were led by Dusan Alimpijevic, coach of the national team of Serbia, while the French are trained by Frederic Fauthoux, the technician of the national team of France.

Two years after losing the final to Paris, JL Bourg won the EuroCup, beating Besiktas 2-0

After losing both matches against Besiktas in the regular season, Bourg were the better prepared team in the EuroCup final, taking advantage of their athleticism and aggressiveness in defence.

As a result, the French surprised the Turks, they prevailed 72-60 and took the leadbecoming favorites to win the title. However, it was not easy at all on home soil.

Besiktas, who were favorites for the title since before the start of the season, came to France determined to turn the streak around in Istanbul and live up to the huge expectations they had created for their fans.

Bourg was also the team that started better. But aggression was penalized and Fauthoux's big men quickly picked up plenty of fouls. Besiktas took advantage of this and took the lead in the second quarter.

Adam Mokoka scores the winning basket for JL Bourg: “I can't explain how I feel”

In the second half, the game was extremely even, with many free throws, many turnovers and a lot of fouls. Bourg came back and took the lead but couldn't break away and the two camps went head to head until the last quarter.

Adam Mokoka, Kevin Kokila and Both Gach led the home side while Ante Zizic, Anthony Brown and Jonah Matthews replied for the visitors. In the last minute, Alimpijevic's students recovered from a 5-point deficit and leveled at 71.

Fauthoux asked for a time-out and told Mokoka, a player at U-BT Cluj-Napoca in the period 2023-2025, to attack. He managed the attack excellently and scored the winning basket, bringing the title to JL Bourg: 73-71.

BUILT FOR THIS. MOKOKA WITH THE KILLER BLOW 🥶 pic.twitter.com/BERoUgXIRa

— BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) April 28, 2026

The celebration followed in Ekinox, the hall of Bourg, who two years after losing the final to Paris, returned in the last act and awarded the trophy.

Mokoka collected 17 points, 10 rebounds and +19 efficiency, after in the tour he had recorded 14 points, 9 rebounds and also +19 efficiency. As a result, the French player was named the MVP of the final.

“I can't explain how I feel right now. I don't have enough words. I want to thank everyone: the organization, my colleagues, the staff, the city, the fans. It wasn't easy. We stuck together and we showed that today”, said Adam, hardly stopped from singing and dancing by the EuroLeague TV reporter.

“(no With U-BT) I came here, played against them twice and I remember how hard it was. Now I see why: this organization really works,” he added.

“This wasn't a match, it was a war and we won it”, concluded Mokoka.

Mihai Silvășan, happy for his former player: “He will probably play in the Euroleague next year”

Mihai Silvășan, U-BT's coach, who brought Mokoka to Cluj in 2023, promising him a role as a game manager, watched the final and gave a short statement to GSP.ro.

“First of all, I'm happy for Adam. He was very good in the final and throughout the season. He will probably play in the Euroleague next year“, said the 41-year-old technician.

“About the match, I think the more physical team won. The players from Bourg are very physical,” added Silvășan.

Black and white captain Patrick Richard also posted a message on Instagram for his former team-mate: “Man, I'm so proud of you! Rejoice, brother! Congratulations“.

This season, Mokoka averaged 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals.

Adam Mokoka, in the equipment of the Romanian champion/Photo: Imago Images Photo: IMAGO