By Antonis Stroggylakis / info@eurohoops.net
VITORIA — Ergin Ataman commented on how Efes overcame the big obstacle of the semifinal against Fenerbahce Beko, while he promised to take some time off in… Ibiza if his team lifts the trophy.
“This is our game that we played all season. Tonight we played a perfect game against the best team in Europe. I’m proud of my players and we need to play one more game like that in the final. When we play our game in the offense, we get more motivated in defense. After the second half of the EuroLeague season, we started playing great defense. This is the reason why we’re here in the Final Four and to play in the final”.
Ataman also talked about Shane Larkin, who had the best-ever Final Four performance in EuroLeague history. “There is no comment. Spectacular. It’s not a surprise, he played on this level for 2 months. He played for the team, great player”.
The Efes coach complimented Fenerbahce‘s season, though acknowledged that their game tonight didn’t live up to what they’ve shown: “Fener didn’t play good tonight, they played fantastic all season. I don’t remember Fener losing any games like that in the past three years. Erick Green surprised us in the beginning, I didn’t expect him in the starting five.”
As for the final and his expectations, Ataman seems to have motivated his players. “I told my players that if we go to the final, it’s our time to take this. If there’s one thing I can promise, after the final we to go to Ibiza and start the party there ahead of the Turkish finals (laughs).”