By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The last time Anadolu Efes played in the EuroLeague Final Four was back in 2000. Now, 19 years later and with coach Ergin Ataman again at the helm, the Turkish side returned to the tournament after beating Barcelona 3-2 in the quarterfinals.
In the presser following the Game 5 win over Barcelona, Ataman expressed his immense pride for what his team just accomplished.
“This was a final game, there is no technical analysis. I said before the game, I wrote in social media, the team that played better the entire season will win this series. I am proud of my players, I am proud of all Turkish fans, around 17,000 supporters in here. Many people could not come because there were no more tickets. I am sure everybody was in front of TV. After [18] years we are at the Final Four. I am proud of my players.”
Efes will face another Turkish team, Fenerbahce Beko in the semifinal of the Final Four. It will be a historic first all-Turkish clash in a Final Four since there had never been two teams representing the country in the same tournament.
“I [said] before the game we must win for all the people in the arena, for all the people in Turkey in front of TV, all Turkish supporters all over the world, I know everyone was with us with their heart. Congratulations to Barcelona, they never give up. But tonight it was very difficult to beat us with these fans. Incredible atmosphere, I am so proud of my players. We made a great season. It was very difficult, it was very emotional for me. We will see at the Final Four, but now we will enjoy this, after [18] years Efes is in the Final Four and I am proud of this. Fenerbahce is the best team in Europe. They have the best technical staff with coach Zeljko Obradovic. I hope all Turkish fans in Vitoria will enjoy this all-Turkish semifinal.”
“I can summarize this season in one sentence: The soul has come back,” Ataman commented.
Ataman was sanctioned for comments he made on the referees following Game 4 so this time he joked that he doesn’t feel like spending more of his money on fines. “I don’t want to talk about refs because I became sponsor of EuroLeague this season,” Ataman said.