Ergin Ataman explains controversial quote, talks future with Panathinaikos / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman recounted how a fairytale-like season unfolded for Panathinaikos, addressed rumors about the club's budget, and explained a controversial quote of his during a recent presser.

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou via Getty Images

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens have returned to a EuroLeague Final Four 12 years after their last participation.

2-pointers this season

55%19,9Points made:19,9Accuracy:55,0%Place in standings:10Record max:27Record min:12Most made 2FGs:Mathias LessortTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

In an interview with Fanatik's Gokhan German, coach Ergin Ataman recounted how a fairytale-like season unfolded for the Greens, and explained a controversial quote of his during a recent presser.

“Actually, Panathinaikos fans believed in me from the first day," he said.

"We may not have started the season very well, but even in those days we had faith that we would achieve the goal. The fans expressed their faith on the streets and in the stands, and the entire community motivated us even more. We focused more easily.

OK, Panathinaikos hadn't been able to qualify for the Final Four for 12 years, but they have a basketball culture. They have championships in their history. This made our job easier," the two-time EuroLeague-winning coach admitted.

Panathinaikos, who played in front of a small crowd last year, recorded a phenomenal rise in ticket sales, especially towards the end of the season. Before Game 5 against Maccabi, more than 80.000 people were on the waiting list.

"That's an incredible fact. It's a very big story," Ataman commented.

"Of course, I didn't achieve this alone. My players did it, the club did it and the president [Dimitris] Giannakopoulos did it. He believed in us from day one. Apart from the young players, we only kept [Marius] Grigonis and changed the whole squad.

When we did it, everyone thought we spent a lot of money. We just gave [Kostas] Sloukas an astronomical amount. We had to do that. We signed the most important player of our main rivals. They became weak and we became stronger," Ataman argued.

"We used the remaining budget in an extremely efficient way. I think the most important thing is that the club is not losing money. With success, revenues increased. The budget is breaking even with sponsors, TV and ticket revenues"

Ataman pointed out that Real Madrid look like the favorite to win the trophy in Berlin this season, while the other three contenders - PAO included- have equal chances.

"Of course, we are very strong in terms of fans," he added.

"But Fenerbahce and Olympiacos fans will be there in strong force. We are under siege. We're stuck between Kadıkoy and Piraeus," he joked.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

"Of course, it will be a colorful but also difficult organization in Berlin. Almost half of the foreigners living in Germany are Turkish and half are Greek. Real Madrid will be a little weak in terms of fans. I hope that the unpleasant experiences of the past will be forgotten."

Ataman vouched to do his duty to the best of his ability in terms of cooling the heated atmosphere down.

"I will be calm and humble, especially off the court. But of course, we will put forth all our strength to win on the court as well," he promised.

The 58-year-old tactician also conceded that he felt "very disappointed after losing the first match against Maccabi."

"We have been so focused on success lately that I would be very upset if we couldn't go to the Final Four," he explained.

"In fact, even if we did not qualify for the Final Four, the club was aware of how great a success we had achieved. We took the team from 17th place to 2nd. When I was disappointed, I said, 'If we don't make it to the Final Four, I won't be here next year' to motivate my players," he revealed.

"That motivated everyone even more. Losing the first match at home in these series is a big disadvantage. But we managed to get back on our feet. There has already been a great bond between us and the president and the club. I think I will stay here for many years," he concluded.

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