Ergin Ataman, in an interview with Sabah, discussed Panathinaikos‘ qualification for the EuroLeague Final Four, as well as the “curse” of Zeljko Obradovic.
The Turkish coach emphasized that the “Greens” had done the right thing by returning to the paths of old glory.
“Once again, we have revolutionized Greek basketball. This is a very significant event at this moment. One hundred thousand people were on the waiting list to enter the arena even though tickets were sold out three days before the last game. There is great passion for the Panathinaikos basketball team in Greece. We did a great job.
It was a return that the biggest European basketball club like Panathinaikos yearned for. We wrote a long story about the comeback. Since Panathinaikos failed to qualify for the Final Four for 12 years and finished last season in 17th place, Panathinaikos was the team that came from last place to first, and we are very proud of that.”
Ergin Ataman also stated that he doesn’t believe in the “curse of Zeljko Obradovic“
“In Greek media, comments like ‘Ataman broke Obradovic’s curse’ appear. I don’t accept that in sports. Yes, Panathinaikos had serious failures. After Obradovic, many great coaches and very important players came. But we can’t consider that a curse. Perhaps the environment wasn’t right. Our ambition and energy resonated well within the Panathinaikos community.”