Panathinaikos BC AKTOR defeated Virtus Bologna 84–71 at Telekom Center Athens, in a game for Round 21 of the EuroLeague regular season. Top scorer for the Greens was Kendrick Nunn with 21 points.

The game was balanced in its opening minutes, with Virtus Bologna taking a 6–4 lead in the 5th minute and Panathinaikos BC AKTOR moving ahead 9–8 in the following minute. In the 8th minute, the hosts made it 14–11, while in the 9th minute they pulled away to a double-digit lead (23–13), before closing the first quarter at 23–15. The Greens extended their lead to twelve points in the 12th minute (27–15), with the visitors cutting it to 29–24 in the 15th minute. Virtus Bologna closed the gap to 31–27 in the 16th minute, before Panathinaikos BC AKTOR pulled away again to 37–27 in the 18th minute and the first half ended at 39–33.

In the 23rd minute, the Greens made it 44–37 and in the 26th minute they stretched the margin to 13 points (53–40). The visitors reduced it to 54–45 in the 29th minute, with the third quarter ending at 56–48. In the 32nd minute, the difference dropped to six points (59–53), but in the following minute Panathinaikos BC AKTOR surged ahead to 66–53. The Greens went up by 14 points (72–58) in the 36th minute and sealed the win with the final score of 84–71.

Quarters: 23–15, 39–33, 56–48, 84–71.

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR (Ataman): Shorts 4, Kalaitzakis, Osman 11 (1), Holmes 16, Sloukas 5 (1), Rogkavopoulos 7 (1), Samodurov, Grant 7, Nunn 21 (2), Faried 2, Hernangomez 9 (1), Yurtseven 2.
Virtus Bologna (Ivanovic): Edwards 24 (3), Pajola 6 (1), Niang, Accorsi, Smailagic 2, Taylor 6 (2), Alston Jr., Hackett 6 (1), Morgan 12 (2), Jallow 3, Diouf 2, Akele 10.

Ataman: “We got a clear win”

The head coach of Panathinaikos BC AKTOR, Ergin Ataman, stated at the Press Conference following the home game against Virtus Bologna:

“Everyone fought today. We won the game and played excellent defense. Especially in the first part of the game we stopped Morgan and Edwards. Everyone contributed to that. We played outstanding defense— even Nunn was excellent defensively against Edwards. Tactically, we managed to stop their offense, we had many steals and several rebounds. In the second half it was exactly the same. We had the chance to finish the game earlier, but we missed several easy shots that would have allowed us to close it more comfortably. We were not at our highest level, but in the end we managed to get a clear win.

Holmes is a major signing for us since the start of the season, but unfortunately he missed two months due to a serious injury. Now he is coming back and showing his abilities, so he is very important for us and for our goals this season.

I need to remind you what I have won in my career: 20 titles in Turkey—6 championships, 6 Cups, 8 Super Cups. In Greece, in two years, one championship and one Cup. In the last five years, three EuroLeague titles. Not in the last 10 or 15 years. And other competitions as well, like the EuroCup, Saporta Cup, EuroChallenge, with teams that no one believed could win. I believe in myself. I have never hidden behind the trophies I won in the past.

This challenge is for me, and I hope it will be a challenge for my players as well. When you play for Panathinaikos BC AKTOR, one of the best clubs in Europe—possibly the biggest—you must have the highest goals. During the season you can win or lose. It was sad for me to see people lose confidence in me and in the players after two losses. I have always had great support and trust from Mr. Giannakopoulos; he called me yesterday and we talked about my statement. But I am a passionate person. If I lose my passion, I leave. That’s how I have lived my entire career. I left Efes after two titles. That’s how I put this challenge to myself and my players, and I stand by it.

I have an excellent relationship with everyone and with all the fans who love Panathinaikos. I know my statement caused concern for some about what is happening. I did not say it because I want to leave or because I am ready to leave. I said it to show the high goals I have in my career. Unfortunately, after the last game we lost to Milan, I saw people—not only about me, but also with other teams… Look at the standings. Who is the best team? What is the difference? Where are the other teams people don’t talk about? Where is Olympiacos? They are also an excellent team. Where are they? We are in the same position.

Where is Fenerbahçe, the best team right now? We are at the same point. I saw mainly on social media that some people attacked me, mainly because of my country. They sent me messages saying I am Turkish and should leave Greece, that I am Turkish and bad for Panathinaikos BC AKTOR.

I am proud to be Turkish, but I love Greece, I love Athens, and I love Panathinaikos. I am here for success. That’s why I showed my fists at the beginning of the game—because I am always with the fans. This cooperation we must build—with the fans, the club, the organization—so that we reach our goals. We never give up. We never abandon our goals.”