Ergin Ataman hopes to see Barca in the final: 'We can win everywhere' / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman once again brought his signature confidence to the press conference. The coach reiterated several times that this year's EuroLeague is the most competitive ever.

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix

Anadolu Efes Istanbul controlled the entire game against FC Barcelona, not letting the home team lead for even a second.

Player of the Game EFF 27 Vasilije Micic Points 17 Accuracy 5-13 Rebounds 6 Assists 6

Barca tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter but clutch free throws and calm nerves gave Efes the upper hand. Talking after the game, the Turkish team's head coach Ergin Ataman emphasized that this match proved that the reigning EuroLeague champions can play against anybody anywhere.

"This season is very tough. 11-12 teams are fighting for the playoffs. Our first goal will be to reach the playoffs, then it doesn't matter if we have the home-field advantage or not. We showed tonight that we can win everywhere," he said during the post-game press conference.

Efes are often criticized for showing a lack of concentration in certain games and losing to seemingly inferior opponents. Ataman was confident that ultimately the team will come out on top.

"Every game is like a final this season. In the first part, we lost many games on the last possession. We lost [because of] the referees' mistake in Monaco, and EuroLeague had to apologize. We lost two games by one point on the last possession. There's only a two-game difference between the first team and the situation we're in," he explained.

"I don't like to analyze what happened in the past. For me and for all of us, it's more important what will happen next," Ataman shared. "We have 15 more games, we can win more games and finish in the top position. We showed it tonight and we will fight for it."

Later on, Ataman reiterated his previous point about this season's EuroLeague being as competitive as he's seen in his career. The specialist hoped to battle against Barcelona in the EuroLeague Final as he did in 2021.

"In this EuroLeague, anybody can beat anybody. It's the first time in EuroLeague history that I remember when there are a lot of ups and down. It's not because the teams aren't good but because many teams are fighting [for the playoffs]," Ataman said. "It's not important which star you have on the team, it's important how all these players can put their energy and their hustle into a single game. Any game can change [the situation]. I hope to find Barcelona in the final."

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