Ergin Ataman made an interesting statement after Panathinaikos’ loss to Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Game 1 of the EuroLeague playoffs (87-91). The head coach of the Greens was confident that his team would win the series and make it to the Final Four, but said that if this doesn’t happen, he will leave the club.
“I made a promise to all the people here that we will go to the Final Four. And my promise is that. Nothing important, it’s 0 – 1. We will go to the Final Four. If we don’t go to the Final Four, I won’t be with Panathinaikos next year,” Ergin Ataman said afterwards, via Eurohoops.net.
Ergin Ataman: "We will go to the Final Four.
If we don't go to the Final Four, I won't be with Panathinaikos next year" pic.twitter.com/sZDsgkbuCm
— Antonis Stroggylakis (@AStroggylakis) April 23, 2024
Maccabi stood tall despite trailing by 12 in the game and outscored the Greens 37-49 in the second half to take the victory and the upper hand in the series. The series stays in Athens and OAKA Altion, with Game 2 taking place on Thursday. This was the first home loss for Panathinaikos since December 7.
