Fresh from leading Turkiye to a silver medal at EuroBasket 2025, coach Ergin Ataman has quickly returned to his duties with Panathinaikos. Speaking from a pre-season tournament in Australia, the experienced coach shared his high expectations for the upcoming season, expressing great confidence in his team’s roster.
Ataman believes Panathinaikos has built a squad so deep and talented that it can compete for the highest honours in European basketball. His focus is not just on reaching the EuroLeague Final Four, but on winning it, especially with the event set to be held in Athens. He also reflected on his competitive nature, explaining why even a silver medal at EuroBasket felt like a disappointment.
💪 A Team Built to Win
Ataman expressed strong belief in his team’s depth, suggesting they are more than ready for the season’s challenges. “We have an excellent team,” he stated, highlighting the new players signed to strengthen the squad. He humorously added that Panathinaikos is so strong, “if Panathinaikos played with two separate teams, both would fight for a spot in the Final Four.” He noted that new additions like Vassilis Toliopoulos will fit well into the team’s established system.
🏆 Eyes on the Athens Final Four
With the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four set to be hosted in Athens, Ataman was asked if this adds extra pressure. He explained that the real pressure is simply to be in the Final Four and win, no matter the location. He praised the decision to bring the event to Athens, a city with passionate basketball fans, including those of their rivals, Olympiacos. Ataman believes that having the final in their home city doesn’t guarantee a spot for the Greek teams, but they will fight hard to be there for their supporters.
🤕 Injury Updates and Pre-Season Progress
The coach also provided an update on key player Mathias Lessort, who is currently recovering from an injury. While noting that Lessort still “needs more time,” Ataman shared that the player is feeling good and his recovery might be faster than expected. The hope is to have all players healthy and on the court for the start of the EuroLeague season.
🥈 A Winning Mentality
Reflecting on his recent experience with the Turkish national team, Ataman revealed his mindset as a top coach. While many were happy with Turkiye’s silver medal at EuroBasket, he admitted feeling disappointed after losing a close final against Germany. “I always want to win, I want to be first,” he explained. For Ataman, losing a game that was within reach until the last moment is always tough, showcasing his strong competitive spirit.
