By Semih Tuna/ info@eurohoops.net
Riga, Latvia – Coming out of a losing effort in the gold-medal game of EuroBasket 2025, Ergin Ataman was reluctant to draw any benefits from leading Turkiye to a second silver medal in EuroBasket history.
“All these three weeks in Riga, through this EuroBasket, I talked too much in the press conference every time. Now, there are no words to say, because we are very upset to lose a game that we controlled, it was in our hands,” noted the 59-year-old Turkish tactician in the postgame press conference after Germany outlasted his side in Xiaomi Arena.
“I just can say it was a good game. It could have gone both ways. I think we were controlling the game, but I think we lost control in the last couple of minutes. Overall, I am proud of the team, coaches, and everything. I hope everybody enjoyed watching us,” mentioned Cedi Osman, “We’re upset.”
“When I lose, I never take any positives. We may look at some positive things tomorrow, or the next days,” added Ataman, “Nothing positive for me now.”
After 11 lead changes in Sunday’s gold-medal game, a series of clutch makes by Dennis Schroder created a three-point distance with 18 seconds on the clock. Alperen Sengun then missed an opportunity to tie with a three-pointer, all but confirming a loss for Turkiye.
“I don’t like to make any comments on the player’s decision. The game is over,” Ataman replied to a question about the unsuccessful game-tying effort of the 23-year-old center.
Photo Credit: FIBA