By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos Piraeus coach Giorgos Bartzokas was asked to comment on the complaints that Panathinaikos Athens coach Ergin Ataman made over certain decisions by the referees in the derby between the two EuroLeague powerhouses.
“Really?” Bartzokas reacted after Olympiacos‘ 76 – 74 win. “He [Ataman] does that every time he loses. I can’t remember a game where we beat Panathinaikos and he didn’t complain.
“Obviously, we win only thanks to the refereeing,” Bartzokas added sarcastically. “I don’t remember any game that we beat Panathinaikos and he didn’t comment that he lost the game due to the officiating.”
“There were many plays in which we could’ve finished the game,” Bartzokas said. “Many things happened down the stretch also with our responsibility and also because of Panathinaikos’ ability and a bit of luck. You analyze every game technically. If you want my opinion, the fact that we didn’t win by 20 and the game went that way is better for the team stay more alert and concentrated until the end and in every game.”
Bartzokas saw starting point guard Nigel Williams-Goss exiting the game with a biceps problem halfway through the third period. The American player had 14 points and four assists until that moment.
“I don’t believe it’s anything serioues but he will stay out for a couple of days,” Bartzokas said. “The thing is that when someone gets injured he needs some time to come back. We have really bad lack, we hope it turns into good luck in the end. We wait for the MRI results.”