Ataman comments on decision to practice in Piraeus, wants to avoid Olympiacos in playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Panathinaikos held its last practice before the Greek derby at the Peace & Friendship Stadium. Ergin Ataman explained the decision & why prefers that his team won't meet with Olympiacos in the EuroLeague playoffs

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Any derby between Olympiacos Piraeus and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens would steal the show. However, the upcoming Greek duel between the Reds and the Greens finds the visitors in third place with a 18-10 balance and the hosts in fifth with 17-11, just six rounds before the conclusion of the EuroLeague regular season. That makes for an even more exciting contest.

2-pointers this season

55%20,0Points made:20,0Accuracy:55,1%Place in standings:9Record max:27Record min:13Most made 2FGs:Mathias LessortTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Ergin Ataman spoke about the particularity of the game before his team concluded its practice at the Peace and Friendship Stadium.

"It is common in the EuroLeague to have practice at the home court of the opposing team," he commented.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

"It makes no difference to me if it's a derby or any other game. Maybe it's weird for others, but it's normal for us. It may be the first time in a centuries-old derby that one team trains at the home of the other, but I hope that continues," the 58-year-old tactician argued and said it's up to Olympiacos' coach Giorgos Bartzokas to decide whether he wants his tam to train at OAKA next time the two rivals lock horns in any competition.

"I did the same before the derbies against Fenerbahce," Ataman recalled his time with Anadolu Efes.

He then went on to compare the two teams' rosters with reference to theGreek Cup final that was held in Crete on February 18.

"Olympiacos will play with a EuroLeague roster, i.e. with more foreigners. We will not have Luca Vildoza and Kostas Antetokounmpo. We didn't play well in the Cup final. The score was low for both teams and we lost. We have played five derbies so far, we were defeated clearly in the Super Cup and the Cup, in overtime in the EuroLeague, but we won two," Ataman pointed out.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

"The score is 3-2 in favor of Olympiacos. I hope we don't play them in the EuroLeague playoffs, because if everything goes smoothly, we will also play them in the Basket League finals.There will be too many games," the Turkish tactician joked.

"It's very important for us to make as many wins as possible, as many as are needed to remain in the top four," Ataman said.

"We have a difficult schedule and the game against Olympiacos is one of the most difficult away games, not only because it is a derby, but also because Olympiacos are a very good team and play very good basketball," he stressed.

"I've seen their games and they play with proper organisation and mentality. It is not easy for any team in the EuroLeague to win here. This is a very important game for both teams, since it is another six games and we are separated by one win, while we lost in the first round in OAKA."

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