Ergin Ataman and Nikos Rogkavopoulos spoke to the media shortly before Panathinaikos BC AKTOR’s departure for Lyon, where they will face LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (30/01, 21:45), as part of Round 25 of the EuroLeague Regular Season.

In his opening remarks, the head coach first referred to the tragic loss of PAOK fans: “First of all, my condolences for the people of PAOK who lost their lives. In Greece, all fans follow their teams all across Europe. My condolences to the PAOK family and to Greek sport as a whole.”

Regarding the game, he added: “The game against Villeurbanne is certainly dangerous. They have two new players and they’ve started well. In addition, at home they play to win until the very last second. They fight.

As for us, unfortunately this season we’ve lost many games against teams that are low in the standings. Therefore, we want the big games against teams that are higher up. We lost in Munich and against Maccabi, who are low. The game against Villeurbanne is important. Whether you play Villeurbanne or Real Madrid, a win carries the same weight. They have very dangerous scorers. Watson and especially Heurtel when he’s in the game he organizes well their big men are athletic.

Defense is important, but offensively, without Nunn, we need to find solutions. That will be the key. Not allowing them to run and score in transition.”

Nikos Rogkavopoulos, for his part, also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims: “First of all, let’s talk about some events that have happened… the factory initially and the people who were lost, who were actually going to the same place we are going to now. Condolences to those families; it’s something tragic and heartbreaking, there are no words. Talking about it won’t change anything, but I wanted to say it because we are deeply shaken.”

Regarding the game against Villeurbanne, he added: “Villeurbanne plays quite good basketball despite their position in the standings, and we will go for the win because there is no room for mistakes. T

hey play at a high pace, they are athletic, and if we don’t limit the intensity they bring with toughness and self-sacrifice, we won’t get a good result.

We are Panathinaikos, we know where we play and we have high goals. That doesn’t change whether we were winning before or not. We have to be ready for every challenge.”