12.09.2025 23:50
Our national men's basketball team defeated Greece 94-68 in the EuroBasket semifinals, securing a spot in the final against Germany. Ergin Ataman, the head coach of our national basketball team and one of the architects of this historic victory, struggled to hold back tears as he spoke at the end of the match.
```html
Our National Basketball Team's Head Coach Ergin Ataman made statements after the match in which we defeated Greece 94-68 and advanced to the finals.
HIS VOICE TREMBLED, HE STRUGGLED NOT TO CRY
After the victory, Ataman, who experienced emotional moments, said, "I know that millions are watching this match all over Turkey right now. May this glorious, historic victory be a gift to our country. This team has rightfully come here. Hopefully, we will finish it with the trophy. We are not satisfied. We are also satisfied with beating Greece like this and reaching the finals. Everyone, be in front of the screen on Sunday evening. We will be champions here, hopefully!"
"THERE IS ONE MORE MATCH"
Speaking about the meeting he held with the team before the match, the experienced coach said, "In the locker room before the match, I told the kids, 'We came here with the goal of a medal, but now the situation has changed. We will return with the gold medal.' I told the fans, 'Don't rush, we will win one more match, we will beat Germany and become champions, hopefully.' I thank all our fans who support us from the heart. There is one more match!"
"WE WILL TRY TO DO SOMETHING HISTORICAL"
On the other hand, Ergin Ataman, in a statement to the Greek state channel ERT, said, "I apologize to my Greek friends watching the match, but my players were better tonight, and we deserved the victory. We defended well against Yiannis, Sloukas, and Toliopoulos. Only Dorsey found a few shots at the beginning, but we stopped him too. A great victory, but Greece is an extraordinary team.
We talked before the match. We knew that Giannis was leaving the power forwards and protecting the paint more. I told Ercan to take the shots, he did, and gained confidence. I hope we play at the same level. If we play like this, we will succeed. Greece is a better team than Germany. We will try to do something historical, win in the final, and take the gold medal, which has never happened before," he said.
```