Sertac Sanli recalls early struggles in Barcelona, has good feeling about PAO-Ataman / News - Basketnews.com

In an interview with Anadolu news Agency, Sertac Sanli referred to the adjustment process he had to go through in Barcelona. The Turkish big man didn't rule out leaving his current team next summer and touched on Ergin Ataman's future with Panathinaikos.

Credit: Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Following the elimination of Anadolu Efes in the regular season and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the playoffs, Sertac Sanli will be Turkish basketball's only representative in the upcoming Final Four.

3-pointers this season

41%10,2Points made:10,2Accuracy:40,8%Place in standings:3Record max:17Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Nikola MiroticTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The 31-year-old big man who plays for FC Barcelona is heading to his fourth Final Four and second with the Spanish powerhouse. Sanli won the title with Efes in 2021, before moving to Catalunya.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, the Turkish center shared his views on the EuroLeague, his career and Ergin Ataman's future with Panathinaikos Athens.

Noting that the season was intense and tiring, the 31-year-old center said, "We had new players who joined us at the beginning of the season. It took a long time for everyone to get used to each other, but towards the end of the season, we reached the desired level.

As a result, we finished the EuroLeague regular season strong. The team's confidence is in place right now. We look forward to the Final Four with excitement," Sanli said.

Barca will face Real Madrid in the EuroLeague Final Four, with the winner getting the ticket for the big final that will be held Sunday, May 21.

"When the pairing is Barcelona-Real Madrid, everyone's perspective changes. Any El Clasico is crucial here. We have two league games ahead of us right now. We need to focus on that, but everyone has in mind our matchup with Real Madrid in the Final Four. Everyone is thinking about that game. It will be an incredible match for the fans. We look forward to the semi-finals with excitement," he argued.

Sanli said he thinks Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce will make it to the Final Four next season. Explaining that he could not make a sound assessment of the two teams because he wasn't part of either squad, he expressed his wish as a Turk for both to be inthe Final Four.

Sertac Sanli

MIN:17.49PTS:6.53 (52.51%)REB:3.21As:1.03ST:0.32BL:0.5TO:1.03GM:34ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023

"I can't say anything because I don't know Anadolu Efes' problems," he responded.

"However, this is a process that every team can experience. Everyone has a bad season. I wish they were in the Final Four. Fenerbahce also fought until the end. They lost the play-off in the 5th game. You can't say they've failed.

These kinds of matches are determined by small details. Everyone did their best, but they lost. I'm sure that next year both our teams will be in the Final Four."

Even though Sanli admits he had a hard time adjusting to life in Spain in the first 6 months, he gradually started to get adjusted to his new environment.

"I didn't know anything. It was difficult for me to get used to the organization on and off the court. Things got easier for me as I started to understand everyone's language. After figuring out what and how to do in the first 6 months, everything went more smoothly."

The same process applied to his getting accustomed to Sarunas Jasikevicius' style.

"It took a long time to learn our coach's system on the court. However, everything fell into place. I feel very comfortable right now. My teammates helped me a lot," the Turkish international stressed.

When asked if he would stay in Barcelona, ​​Sanli said that he doesn't think about his career at the moment.

"As a team, we have a goal. We will reach this goal first. After that, I plan to think about my career. I don't want to be carried away. It's very easy to lose concentration. Right now, we have goals, both individually and as a team. Hopefully, after I achieve them, I will focus on my career," he replied.

Sanli admitted that leaving Anadolu Efes was a risk, as it required him getting out of his comfort zone.

"It's very important to take the hard way, not to get used to comfort, create a new challenge for yourself and try to improve. Seeking a new challenge is risky for everyone, but if you take the risk, what you get at the end gives you more happiness. Maybe next year, I'll take another risk again," he emphasized, thus not ruling out the possibility of leaving Barca next summer.

Finally, Sanli was asked about Ergin Ataman's imminent deal with Panathinaikos and whether his former coach at Efes (and also current Turkey NT play-caller) can be successful in Athens.

Stating that Panathinaikos is a big club, Sanli called Ataman "his brother" and "a coach who likes challenges."

"He went down in Anadolu Efes' history books. I would be very happy if something like that happened [at PAO]. It gives me great joy that a Turkish coach will coach a big and well-established club like Panathinaikos in Greece.

I think you want a new challenge for yourself. I am sure he will be successful. Ergin opens a new path for himself and I hope everyone will follow him," Sanli concluded.

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