30th Women's Basketball Presidential Cup (2025)

The 30th match of the Women’s Presidential Cup, which holds the status of the first trophy of the season in women’s basketball, was held on December 3, 2025, at the Ankara Sports Hall between Fenerbahçe Opet and Çimsa ÇBK Mersin. The match began at 19:00. According to the tournament’s format, which is determined by the teams’ performance during the season, this traditional competition pits the previous season’s league champion against the Turkey Cup champion.

Women’s Presidential Cup (AA)

Historical Background and Tournament Structure

The Women’s Presidential Cup, first held in 1993, was introduced as a single-match event marking the official start of the season in Turkish women’s basketball. The tournament was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2023 due to the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. As of 2025, this will be the 30th edition of the competition.

Ankara has historically emerged as a city that has hosted the Presidential Cup matches on numerous occasions. With the 2025 match, the capital will have hosted this event for the 21st time.

Infographic of the Women’s Presidential Cup (AA)

Teams’ Historical Record in the Tournament

Fenerbahçe Opet’s Presidential Cup History

Fenerbahçe Opet is recorded as the most successful team in the history of the Women’s Presidential Cup, having won a total of 13 titles and ranking first in the tournament’s history. The yellow-and-navy team has achieved consecutive victories in different periods since their first title in 1999 against Galatasaray. Since 2004, they have appeared in every final, making this their 19th consecutive final appearance, which corresponds to their 24th overall final.

Fenerbahçe has lifted the cup multiple times by defeating Galatasaray, BOTAŞ, Beşiktaş, Erdemirspor, and ÇBK Mersin in finals. The team secured significant victories against ÇBK Mersin in the 2019 and 2024 finals. Most recently, in the 2024 match held in Ankara, Fenerbahçe defeated their opponent with a score of 65–64 to claim the trophy.

Çimsa ÇBK Mersin’s Presidential Cup History

Çimsa ÇBK Mersin has one championship title in the tournament’s history, which they won in 2022 by defeating Fenerbahçe in Ankara. In addition to this victory, the team has reached the final three times previously, making the 2025 match their fourth final appearance.

The fact that Fenerbahçe and ÇBK Mersin are meeting for the fourth consecutive time in the Presidential Cup final has established a recurring rivalry at the cup level in recent years. The scores of the previous three finals were 86–62 (Fenerbahçe) in 2019, 84–78 (ÇBK Mersin) in 2022, and 65–64 (Fenerbahçe) in 2024.

Infographic of the Women’s Presidential Cup Final Match (AA)

Venue and Referee Information

The match played on December 3, 2025, took place at the Ankara Sports Hall. The game began at 19:00, with the refereeing crew consisting of Aydın Karaçam, Ozan Gönen, and Yiğit Gönültaş.

Teams’ Entry into the Season and Qualification Criteria

According to the tournament’s format, the two teams competing in the final are the previous season’s league champion and the Turkey Cup champion. Fenerbahçe Opet finished the 2024–25 season as champions of the ING Women’s Basketball Super League, while Çimsa ÇBK Mersin won the Turkey Cup.

This structure provides the two teams with an opportunity to compare their seasonal starts through the cup. The winner of this single-match tournament is crowned the first official cup champion of the season.

Pre-Match Press Conference: Technical Staff and Player Statements

A press conference was held at the Ankara Sports Hall prior to the match. Attending were Fenerbahçe Opet Head Coach Miguel Méndez, team captain Alperi Onar, Çimsa ÇBK Mersin Head Coach George Dikeoulakos, and team captain Asena Yalçın.

Press conference held at Ankara Sports Hall (AA)

Fenerbahçe Opet Side

Head Coach Miguel Méndez stated that adjustments were made to integrate new players into the team’s system, emphasizing that each match creates its own unique conditions and that the 5-on-5 game on the court is inherently variable. He affirmed that the team would take to the court aiming to win the first trophy of the season.

Team captain Alperi Onar noted that the Presidential Cup is played as a single match and has an inherently unpredictable nature. She highlighted that the squad is composed of players who carry the responsibility of playing for Fenerbahçe, and that they do not require special motivation before a match, as they prepare for every game with a consistent routine.

Miguel Méndez (AA)

Çimsa ÇBK Mersin Squad

Head coach George Dikeoulakos highlighted the difficulty of the match and expressed respect for their opponents. He stated that the game carried a celebratory character, represented a significant opportunity for the players, and that the team focused on enjoying the game.

Team captain Asena Yalçın noted that Fenerbahçe possessed a strong roster and drew attention to the match’s potential for surprises. She recalled that last year’s encounter ended with the final possession and affirmed that her team would compete by leveraging their advantages.

George Dikeoulakos (AA)

Pre-Match Preparations

Both teams completed their preparations ahead of the match with training sessions held at the Ankara Sports Hall. Information regarding the completion of the training process was published by the Turkish Basketball Federation.

Çimsa ÇBK Mersin Roster

The Çimsa ÇBK Mersin squad for the 2025 Women’s Presidential Cup final consists of the following players: Albina Razheva, Asena Yalçın, Ayşenaz Harma, Büşra Akbaş, Eslem Güler, Esra Ural Topuz, Julie Vanloo, Kennedy Burke, Laura Juskaite, Luisa Geiselsoder, Manolya Kurtulmuş, Sevgi Tonguç, Sinem Ataş and Tiffany Hayes.

Fenerbahçe Opet Roster

Alperi Onar, Ayşe Yılmaz, Berfin Ada Şahin, Emma Rosa Rudie Maria Meesseman, Gabrielle Lisa Williams, İdil Saçalır, Iliana Rupert, Jonquel Jones, Julie Isabelle C. Allemand, Kayla McBride, Megan Elizabeth Gustafson Elizabeth, Olcay Turgut, Sevgi Uzun, Sudenur Akarpa, Teaira Zyaire McCowan, Tilbe Şenyürek, Tuana Ayşegül Vural.

The 30th Women’s Presidential Cup concluded with a match between Fenerbahçe Opet and Çimsa ÇBK Mersin on 3 December 2025 at the Ankara Sports Hall. The competition ended with a 104-77 victory for Fenerbahçe Opet, marking the team’s 14th cup win in the tournament’s history.

Women’s Presidential Cup Final Match (AA)

Match Summary

First Quarter

Fenerbahçe Opet scored early in the first four minutes through Kayla McBride’s baskets but failed to contain ÇBK Mersin’s offensive efforts, falling behind 14-7. In the first quarter, both teams combined for nine three-pointers. Thanks to Julie Vanloo’s impactful play, ÇBK Mersin closed the quarter leading 25-22.

Women’s Presidential Cup Final Match (AA)

Second Quarter

In the first three minutes of the second period, Çimsa ÇBK Mersin extended their lead to seven points (29-36) through effective rotations. Contributions from Esra Ural Topuz and Sinem Ataş from the perimeter were decisive. Fenerbahçe Opet tied the score by increasing their use of Meesseman and Alperi Onar in the paint after the break but entered halftime trailing 47-45.

Women’s Presidential Cup Final Match (AA)

Third Quarter

Starting from the sixth minute of the third quarter, when the score was tied at 54-54, Fenerbahçe Opet took control of the game. A 19-5 run fueled by McCowan’s inside baskets, Meesseman’s mid-range shots, and McBride’s three-pointers extended their lead. The quarter ended 73-59 in favor of Fenerbahçe Opet. It was noted that the quarter’s scoring was 28-12, giving Fenerbahçe Opet a double-digit advantage for the first time.

Women’s Presidential Cup Final Match (AA)

Fourth Quarter

In the final quarter, Fenerbahçe Opet maintained their dominance on both defense and offense. Beginning with assists from Alperi Onar, Meesseman and McBride continued scoring, and as ÇBK Mersin struggled to stay in the game, the gap widened. The final ten minutes ended 28-12 in Fenerbahçe’s favor. The match concluded with a 104-77 victory for Fenerbahçe Opet.

Women’s Presidential Cup Final Match (AA)

Team Lineups and Player Performances

Fenerbahçe Opet

Alperi Onar (16), Sevgi Uzun (7), Kayla McBride (24), Emma Meesseman (23), Iliana Rupert (10), Julie Allemand (3), Teaira McCowan (18), Olcay Çakır Turgut, Jasmine Williams (3), Tuana Vural, Selen Baş.

Kayla McBride led all scorers with 24 points for Fenerbahçe Opet. Emma Meesseman finished with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and was named Most Valuable Player. McCowan’s performance of 18 points was also recorded.

Çimsa ÇBK Mersin

Julie Vanloo (18), Kennedy Burke (18), Ayşenaz Harma (2), Laura Juskaite (8), Manolya Kurtulmuş (14), Esra Ural Topuz (8), Sinem Ataş (7), Büşra Akbaş (2), Asena Yalçın, Sevgi Tonguç, Eslem Güler.

Vanloo and Burke produced the team’s highest scores with 18 points each. Manolya Kurtulmuş contributed 14 points and Esra Ural Topuz added 8 points.

Cup Ceremony

A cup ceremony was held on the court following the match. The cup was presented to Fenerbahçe Opet by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Osman Aşkın Bak, and the President of the Turkish Basketball Federation, Hidayet Türkoğlu. The team entered the ceremony wearing championship jerseys and raised the cup with their hands. It was reported that Fenerbahçe Club President Sadettin Saran also attended the ceremony.

Cup ceremony of the Women’s Presidential Cup final match (AA)

MVP and Individual Awards

Following the match, Emma Meesseman was named the “Most Valuable Player” of the 2025 Women’s Presidential Cup after recording 23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks. The award was presented by Serdar Karagöz, a member of the TBF Board of Directors.

Post-Match Statements

Head coach Miguel Méndez, in his post-match remarks, stated that the game was difficult, that simple missed shots in the first half affected the flow of the game, and that the entire team competed together. He also emphasized the support of the fans and expressed gratitude for the atmosphere.

Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, in his congratulatory message, praised Fenerbahçe Opet for winning the cup and also commended Çimsa ÇBK Mersin for their effort.

Overall Tournament Results

By winning the 30th Women’s Presidential Cup, Fenerbahçe Opet secured its 14th title in the tournament’s history and reached the final for the second consecutive time. With this result, Fenerbahçe Opet continues to hold the position of the most successful team in the tournament’s history.