By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
An eventful evening for Panathinaikos Aktor and Ergin Ataman led to an imposing story on Instagram by the 59-year-old Turkish head coach of the Greens.
In Round 23 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, the storied Greek club overcame his ejection and stormed back from a 20-point deficit to take down Zalgiris in OAKA Altion on Thursday.
“You can not stop us!,” was a lively response delivered by Ataman via his story.
“We are the best team in the world! We have the best players. We have the best staff. We have the best fans. We have the best arena. We have the best president. Even with me or without. Even with Lessort or without. Even with Omer, Grigonis, or without. Eighth star will be in OAKA,” he wrote confirming the hunt for the eighth EuroLeague championship in team history.
Panathinaikos jumped to 14-9, including nine wins across 11 home games this season. With archrival Olympiacos on top of the standings, the current distance from first place is 2.5 games. With the top six seeds advancing directly to the Playoffs and teams ranking seventh through tenth getting a second chance through the Play-In Showdown, the defending champions sit third overall, tied with AS Monaco.
Besides Europe’s premier club continental competition, the Greens are up to 15-0 in Greece’s Stoiximan GBL and have all but secured homecourt advantage through the Playoffs. Also, they are set to battle for the domestic Cup in Iraklio in February.