By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Coming out of a tight affair and narrow loss for Fenerbahce Beko, Greek tactician Dimitris Itoudis used a laptop to present objections on various calls made by the referees.
“Different criteria were applied in regards to the referees today,” the Fener boss compared Game 3 to Game 2 of the best-of-five series of the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi Semifinals. Losing to Anadolu Efes in Sinan Erdem Spor Salonu Wednesday, his side fell behind 2-1.
“In such a crucial game with so many quality players, them shooting 32 free throws versus 12 for us raises question marks,” Itoudis added before focusing on game footage and questionable calls via the laptop placed on the table.
“It was a massacre for our team,” he mentioned.
“I did not want to come here and talk about the referees,” Itoudis concluded moving away from complaints about the referees, “Thank you for your time. I hope you don’t misunderstand what I am doing. Congratulations to Efes. They have a great team and a great coach, but we also play basketball.”
“This game was handed to our opponent”
Following up, Fener released an official statement relaying protests. “The result was not decided by coaching tactics nor the effort of both teams on the court,” the team underlined, “This game was handed to our opponent Efes by the three referees appointed by the Turkish Basketball Federation.”
“We urgently await an explanation for the decisions made by the referees, the source of their motivation, and the disgrace from the Turkish Basketball Federation,” was the attached demand.
“Sorry, I don’t have a laptop”
In response to Itoudis, Efes play-caller Ergin Ataman also challenged some calls. “Sorry, I don’t have a laptop. I came unprepared,” he commented on the preceding use of video footage by Itoudis, “The referees made mistakes against both teams.”
Game 4 will be held at the same venue Friday. Fener possibly recovering the homecourt advantage would force a do-or-die Game 5 in Ulker Sports Arena. The advancing side will face Turk Telekom or Pinar Karsiyaka in the championship best-of-five series.