Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman praised Olympiacos coach Giorgos Bartzokas whereas additionally expressing frustration with the best way he believes he’s handled by officers.
“Giorgos Bartzokas is a superb coach. Huge respect. He received the EuroLeague this yr,” the coach mentioned, acknowledging the success achieved by his longtime rival.
Nevertheless, Ataman urged that he doesn’t at all times obtain the identical stage of recognition from referees, questioning whether or not outdoors opinions could also be influencing their selections.
“However I would like the identical respect from refs. Perhaps the refs learn social media an excessive amount of,” he remarked.
Regardless of the criticism, Ataman made it clear that public notion doesn’t concern him, pointing to his accomplishments over the previous decade as proof of his standing in European basketball.
“For me, it’s not necessary. I’m nonetheless one of the best coach of the final 10 years. Essentially the most profitable,” Ataman said.
Ergin Ataman:
Giorgos Bartzokas is a superb coach. Huge respect. He received the EuroLeague this yr.
However I would like the identical respect from refs. Perhaps the refs learn social media an excessive amount of
For me, it is not necessary. I am nonetheless one of the best coach of the final 10 years. Essentially the most profitable” pic.twitter.com/OFPiaOdS4f
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 5, 2026
