Following the Salo caused by a post by the Turkish Federation for the victory over National basketball of Greece, the Ergkin Ataman He was called upon to comment on his statements before the Eurobasket final and argued that the national Turkey fired the responsible person.
The Turkish Federation uploaded an offensive photo With Yiannis Antetokounbos, with Ergkin Ataman commenting on the case and adding that he did not celebrate with his raised fists because of his relationship with Greece.
Ergkin Ataman’s statements
“We have made a perfect tournament so far. In every game we had the same tempo, the same aggression and we enjoyed it. Every match was like the final. We are ready to conquer the European trophy. Of course we have great respect for the world champion Germany. The last 4-5 years have the same.
I have a great deal of faith in my players. Our great advantage is that we have already played big matches against great opponents such as Serbia, Latvia, Greece. We will play with the same strategy, we will not change anything. I think right now, my team is better and we’re ready to win.
That preparation tournament helped us a lot. He showed us our abilities. That we should not be afraid of anyone. We know that we are at the same level as Germany, but the performance of the day plays its role.
We always expect the referees to be concentrated and will not make mistakes. They are people. I don’t know who will whistle, but they need to know that the two best teams play in the final. I hope my players make a few mistakes. I hope the referees make a few mistakes.
Before every game I talk to my assistants. They tell me that everyone is anxious. Especially the people of the Federation. I had a lot of stress before the first final of my Euroleague career. After each game seems the same to me. Before we joined the press conference we were joking with Cesti because we have played in the final of Greece between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos in such an atmosphere. So we don’t bother us now.
Every day you have to learn something. The same goes for me. You may tell me selfish, but in the last ten years I am the best coach. The team doesn’t matter. Wherever I have been I have won a European trophy. The only difference is that in the clubs I have to speak in English, while in the National I have the pleasure of talking in Turkish. My English is not so good, so they can now understand me better.
I don’t know what opponents think. When I say we are a favorite, they are not words of the air. I say it because we have great players, coming from a good season, so it’s not difficult to set up the team. Cendy as a team leader has done an excellent job in the locker room. No one complains about his minutes. And this is very important for this team.
Social media is very dangerous, because sometimes they are managed by people who have no experience. I was informed of the incident two hours ago. When the Federation realized it, the post went down and the person who did it was fired.
Sometimes there are problems at the political level between Turkey and Greece, but the two basketball federations have excellent relationships. I have many friends in Greece and I know they are upset by the defeat. Yesterday I didn’t raise my fists to show my respect to my friends in Greece. But tomorrow I am ready to win and raise my fists.
I think Germany also had a difficult task against Finland. It is not easy to be ready for such a game within 48 hours, but so is the program in these tournaments. Yesterday we played against Greece, an excellent team that has a top star, Yiannis Antetokounbos.
My son has been working as an assistant from the beginning of preparation. He scouts, helps players on the individual level, gives me good ideas. She has excellent experience. He has won Euroleague three times by my side, next to the bench, in the locker room. I think it’s one of the most experienced people in the tournament and is ready to win again. “