Ergin Ataman: “After many years, Panathinaikos has found chemistry with the world”

The double in Monte Carlo with Marius Grigonis’ great shot was celebrated in Panathinaikos. From players, from coaches, from all over the world. But life goes on and on Friday (December 22nd) the Greens will meet Armani in Milan with the aim of securing another away win towards the top six and direct qualification for the EuroLeague playoffs. Ergin Ataman spoke about yesterday’s and tomorrow’s game and about the team-world bond that was missing in previous years.

Ergin Ataman explained in detail:

“Yesterday’s game is in the past. We are in the middle of a doubleheader and like many other teams we will play again tomorrow. It will definitely be a tough game. The reality is that Milan have not started the season well. But in the last two games he has changed, he is playing good basketball. They beat Barcelona away last week and had a “clean” win against Villeurbanne on Wednesday. It’s going to be a tough game. We know the players and their system. Of course we will try to get another away win, this time in Milan.

Milan have different player styles. He has great shooters like Vogtman and Meli. Their top scorer is Sevon Shields, who plays at No. 3. They play different basketball than Monaco, they are a different team. We have to adapt to their system defensively. On the other hand, we want to attack with our best players in order to make the right decisions.

People have supported the team since the start of the season, since I signed I felt the support. I thank them for that. They not only support us in victories, but continue to believe in us even after defeats. This is very important. After years, the team has found chemistry between the people and that is very important. Tomorrow we will try to win, but we respect Ettore Messina and his team. They are a good team, we will have a difficult away game.

People enjoyed and celebrated what happened in Monaco. Of course we celebrated it. When you come back from -15 in the final second with a chance to win after being down three in overtime, it’s only natural to feel those emotions. Panathinaikos is on the right track. I don’t know if we will make it tomorrow and if we win we will see the final result. However, so far we have lost three games in overtime and one, this one against Efes, on the last possession. At the same time we have eight wins. I am very optimistic for the second race of the season.

At first I think it was nice for him and his family because they enjoyed it. It’s the same with us. Whether Giannakopoulos is on the floor or not, he remains the owner and president. We know that he follows the team with emotions, he has high goals. He loves the team and we know that even when he’s not on the pitch. But I think he had fun yesterday and that makes us happy“.