By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The head coach of Panathinaikos Aktor, Ergin Ataman received club permission to coach the senior national team of Turkiye through an upcoming scheduling conflict.
On November 22, Turkiye hosts Hungary in Istanbul, looking to improve to 2-1 in Group B of the 2025 EuroBasket Qualifiers. On the same day, Panathinaikos will be in Kaunas to take on Zalgiris in Round 11 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.
Ataman, 58, has combined club and international duties between the Greens and Turkiye over the last few years. In this case, he will miss the EuroLeague contest to coach the national team of his country.
🚨👀 Ergin Ataman asked & received permission from Panathinaikos to be absent in the game against Zalgiris so he can coach in the game between Turkey and Hungary for the EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers, which will take place on the same day! pic.twitter.com/Cjl0dax2mp
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) November 1, 2024
“At this point, I can say that I will be present for the national team,” the Turkiye national team selector confirmed in an interview with Serbian outlet Meridian sport.
In contrast to the approaching international window of FIBA, the February window does not coincide with the EuroLeague schedule.
“The solution is up to the EuroLeague and FIBA. It is very difficult for me to understand the difference between the windows in February and November,” mentioned Ataman.
“In what other sport is there such a situation?” he wondered, “National teams are important to all countries. On the other hand, the EuroLeague is also important.”
Turkiye alongside Italy, Iceland and Hungary, are in the midst of a battle for three spots in the 2025 EuroBasket.
Meanwhile, the defending EuroLeague champions are currently tied for third in the Regular Season, behind a 4-2 W-L tally.