09.06.2026 16:30
Panathinaikos Head Coach Ergin Ataman made statements regarding the chants by Olympiakos fans during the third match of the Greek Basketball League finals series. Ataman said, "Olympiakos fans, during yesterday's match, you once again chanted insulting slogans against my country, Turkey. I want you to know that I am proud to be Turkish."
Panathinaikos AKTOR Head Coach Ergin Ataman reacted to Olympiakos fans who chanted insulting slogans against Turkey during the third match of the Greek Basketball League finals series.
''KNOW THAT I AM PROUD TO BE TURKISH!''
In a post on his US-based social media platform Instagram account, Ataman said, "Olympiakos fans, you once again chanted insulting slogans against my country, Turkey, throughout yesterday's match. I want you to know that I am proud to be Turkish. I also want you to know that I have great love and respect for Greece and the Greek people, and I see them as my brothers."
''I WANT TO REMIND YOU OF A FACT''
Criticizing Olympiakos' player choices, Ergin Ataman stated, "Of course, you have the right to come to matches with flags, and I respect that, but I want to remind you of a fact. In the third match of the Greek League finals yesterday, your team could not field a single actual Greek national team player. I am proud of my team's fight under all circumstances, and I want to emphasize once again the contribution of the four Greek national team players who represented our team on the court yesterday to Greek basketball."
''WE WILL BE THE ONES CELEBRATING THE VICTORY''
Addressing Panathinaikos fans, the experienced head coach remarked, "Passionate Panathinaikos fans, we will not give up despite all the events overshadowing basketball itself. We will chase the championship until the last ball and the last second, and when everything is over, we will be the ones celebrating the victory on the court."