Ergin Ataman and Cedi Osman spoke on behalf of Panathinaikos BC AKTOR ahead of tomorrow’s game against Virtus Bologna (8/1, 21:15).

The Greens’ head coach initially stated: “At this moment, we should not focus on creating drama. In the EuroLeague, everything happens. Just as we lost four games at Telekom Center Athens, we achieved big away wins this year in Madrid, against Fenerbahce, and in Kaunas. Yesterday, in the second half, everything fell apart. Everything went wrong, nothing worked. But this happens. That’s how sports are. Sometimes these results occur. It is not time to panic. We did not lose the title. We suffered a bad loss in a game that everyone thought would be easy for us. But this is the EuroLeague. Sometimes it doesn’t work the way you think. The team is the same. The same team that two weeks ago won in Fenerbahce and in Kaunas, and that beat Hapoel with a very good performance. It is not time to panic. All teams go through difficult periods. Now we focus on tomorrow’s game. It will be tough. It is a good team, with good guards. We must be ready for tomorrow.”

Regarding how the team’s image can change, the coach replied: “It is not a matter of game plan. This is basketball. There are periods when your team performs below expectations. You cannot be at the highest level throughout the entire season. This year we had some very good moments, with big wins, but also some bad stretches. The important thing is where you stand at the end of the regular season. We have some problems. Yesterday it was not only our defense at fault. Our offense did not work either, for the first time at Telekom Center Athens. This can happen. Last year we also lost some similar games. Nothing changes regarding our goals.”

On the possibility of additions, he said: “This team, with this roster, is a title contender, like other teams. However, as you saw over the last two to three weeks, many teams that are contenders and in good positions, such as Olympiacos and Fenerbahce, as well as Efes, made signings. Transfers are always something that can be discussed at big clubs. Our team is thinking about some players. But I do not know whether it will be those players, some others, or maybe none. This is obvious and it does not apply only to us. Fenerbahce is one of the best teams and signed De Colo and Silva. Olympiacos signed Tyrique Jones. For us, the most important transfer of the year would be the return of Mathias (Lessort), if he could come back in three to four weeks. I hope so.

Asked whether he is concerned about Panathinaikos BC AKTOR’s image, he noted: “No. The games against Olympiacos and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan were completely different. Against Olympiacos, we reached the final possession, made mistakes, and lost. Yesterday, we lost our mentality, made mistakes, panicked, and were defeated. Just as I celebrated with everyone over the past two years when we won everything with this team, I must also take responsibility when one day the entire team plays very badly. Yesterday, in the fourth quarter, it was not about one or two players. We cannot point to anyone. I am the coach and I take responsibility. Against Olympiacos it was a different situation. In that game, we had no contribution from the power forwards, they scored zero points, which is why I mentioned it. Yesterday, Hernangomez was excellent. But the team did not function properly. When this happens, the coach must take responsibility.

However, I want to say something more important in this situation. I know that some people lost their trust in the team, I heard it yesterday as well. Maybe they also lost trust in me. That is normal. We are talking about sports; the past belongs to the past, we look to the future. I want to say one thing. I trust my players and my team a lot. I want to put another important challenge on the table. As you know, I have one more guaranteed year on my contract with the team. However, if at the end of the season we have not won the EuroLeague or the Greek championship, I will leave Athens. That’s all.”

From the players’ side, Cedi Osman spoke ahead of the match up with Virtus Bologna:

“Obviously, defense is the key. They played two excellent games against Milan and Zalgiris. It will be a tough game tomorrow. We need to get back to winning and to the basketball we showed one to two weeks ago against Fenerbahce and Zalgiris. Obviously, we need to return to the basketball we know, and everything will be fine. We must stay focused for 40 minutes. In the first half, we played excellently; they scored only 30 points. Then our energy dropped, and we cannot allow that to happen. We are upset by these two losses, and we know how the fans feel.

I think we need to try to play well for 40 minutes. Before the Olympiacos game, we were dealing with a serious illness, and it is not easy to return to form. Obviously, that is not an excuse. We have to play better basketball. We need to get back to winning, starting tomorrow. We have a great team, great talent. We must stay positive.

No one needs to push us; it is our dream to lift the trophy here, in our home. We will be there, we believe in it. Game by game, and everything will be fine.”