Ataman: “I’m the best coach in Europe in the last 10 years.”

Elgin AtamanAlready legendary figure with three European basketball titles Euroleague In his record (two with Anadoru Evs in 2021 and 2022, and the other with Panatinaicus Athens in 2024), he recombines the headlines in bold statements. In the final prelude EuroBasket Your choice in 2025 Türkiye Face the current world champion Germanystrategists have not hesitated to self-promotion the best coaches on the continent in the last decade.

“Maybe they can call it ego, that might be real. I’ve been the best coach for the past decade. Europe“, I said Ataman Without blushing or doubting. “If I were in the final, I’d win,” he said.

The opportunity to add the first big international title to his curriculum does not seem to interfere with Ataman’s calmness. Despite the obvious tension between federal members and their technical teams, the coach says the stress of the finals has already surpassed after their first experience in the Euroleague. “Then it’s the same for each game. It’s the same for me. It’s no stress. It’s a basketball party,” he said gently at a press conference before the meeting.

in fact, Ataman I made a joke on his eaves Cedi Osman About his vast experiences in high pressure matches. “We’ve had the experience of playing against Panathinaikos and Olympiacos and going through the final where the atmosphere, the great rivals feel is a huge stress,” he explained. For them, it’s a final encounter EuroBasket Especially in Athens, after living the strength of the Greek final, it does not represent an important psychological challenge.

Finally, Ataman highlighted the personal differences between his club and his national team training. “The only difference for me is that I have to speak English at the club. Now I enjoy speaking in my language,” he said. According to him, the comfort of this language promotes communication and ensures that players are better aware of their guidelines and are preparing to “lift the cup” the next day.