By George Adamopoulos/ info@eurohoops.net
Ending a 12-year drought, Panathinaikos Aktor is back in the Final Four of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Preparing for his first individual appearance in the season-ending tournament, Mathias Lessort talked to Eurohoops about the success of the Greens and playing under Ergin Ataman, among more topics.
“It shows that it is not something easy,” the French center measured his side finally returning to the Final Four of Europe’s premier club continental competition, “It is a big achievement, for sure. We are starving for more.”
The discussion naturally went into Ataman and the Turkish head coach stressing during a best-of-five playoff series against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv that a potential elimination from the Final Four would lead to his departure.
“I said he was crazy,” Lessort recalled his initial reaction, “He has been making crazy statements and headlines all year. It sounds like him. It sounded like something he would say. Luckily enough we made it. So, we do not have to figure it out.”
After a trip to Berlin, the Greek club will take on Fenerbahce Beko in Uber Arena on Friday. The winner will move on to face Real Madrid or Olympiacos in the Final on Sunday.