04.06.2026 10:10
Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman went berserk after the first game of the final series against Olympiakos. The experienced coach, reacting harshly to the refereeing decisions, pounded the table and walked out of the press conference.
In the first match of the Greek Basketball League finals series, Panathinaikos lost 82-76 to Olympiakos. After the match, Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman stirred controversy with harsh criticism of the refereeing.
COMPARED THE GREEK LEAGUE TO A TV SERIES
Speaking at the press conference, Ataman compared the atmosphere in the Greek Basketball League to television series. The experienced coach said, "In Turkey, there are many famous weekly series. Every week, people watch the new episodes of these series. I know you Greeks also enjoy watching series every week. Here, the finals series unfold just like a series."
"THE REAL SCORE IS 29-5"
Reacting to the referee decisions, Ataman highlighted the free throw counts. The veteran coach expressed his reaction, saying, "The match result shows 82-76, but no, that's wrong. The real score is 29-5. Olympiakos took 29 free throws, while we took only 5."
ALSO TARGETED THE MEDIA
Continuing his statements, Ataman made references to the Greek and Serbian press, notably saying, "Greek media, Serbian media, keep writing that Ergin Ataman is the worst coach in Europe and that you have the best referees. Bravo to you."
LEFT THE HALL WITHOUT TAKING QUESTIONS
Still fuming, Ergin Ataman pounded the table and left the press conference without taking questions from journalists following his statements. The incident quickly became one of the most talked-about events in Greek and European basketball news.