02.06.2025 10:04
In the second match of the final series in Greece, Olympiacos faced Panathinaikos. Following the scandalous events that occurred during the match, Panathinaikos Head Coach Ergin Ataman reacted strongly to the insults directed at Turkey. Ergin Ataman was also ejected from the game due to his second technical foul with 2:33 remaining in the controversial match.
Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman reacted strongly to the offensive chants directed at Turkey by the opposing team's fans during the match in which they lost to Olympiakos 91-83 away.
"THIS IS A CIRCUS"
After the second match of the Greek League playoff final series, Ataman made statements to the press. Criticizing the events that occurred before and during the match, Ergin Ataman said, "This is not sports. This is a circus. No one can insult my country here. They can insult me or Panathinaikos, but they cannot say anything about Turkey. I received my second technical foul for this reason."
"WE WILL PLAY AGGRESSIVELY AND WE WILL WIN"
Stating that Olympiakos played very aggressively, Ataman said, "They took 33 free throws. We took 17 free throws. We will play basketball in the third match on Wednesday. OAKA is not a circus arena. Everyone shows respect. We will play aggressively and we will win. That's all there is to it."
Due to the events that occurred before the match, which brought the playoff series to a 1-1 tie, Panathinaikos President Dimitris Giannakopoulos and his family had to be removed from the arena. The third match of the series will be held on June 4, Wednesday, at OAKA.