Panathinaikos Defeats Olympiakos to Tie Series 1-1

Panathinaikos has leveled the Greek Basketball League playoff finals series at 1-1 after defeating Olympiakos 68-58 in a hard-fought Game 2.

Following the crucial victory, Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, while also noting the disparity in free-throw attempts. "Today we won the game, but we are still behind in free throw counts. Olympiakos took 14, we took 9," Ataman stated. He emphasized that when the game is officiated fairly, his team demonstrates its strength.

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Today we won the game, but we are still behind in free throw counts. Olympiakos took 14, we took 9 free throws. Today the numbers are a bit closer. When everything is fair, we showed how strong we are on the court. I respect Olympiakos, they won the EuroLeague, but we are also a very good team.

Ataman acknowledged Olympiakos's coach, Georgios Bartzokas, as a highly respected figure and potentially the best Greek coach of the last decade, especially after their recent EuroLeague championship. However, Ataman called for similar respect from the referees towards himself, asserting his own track record of success over the past ten years.

"Bartzokas is of course a great coach. I have great respect for him, he won the EuroLeague this year. Maybe he is the best Greek coach of the last 10 years. But the referees need to show me the same respect. Yes, maybe I haven't done great things this season, but I am still the best, most successful coach of the last 10 years. I just need the same respect shown to Bartzokas," Ataman said.

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Bartzokas is of course a great coach. I have great respect for him, he won the EuroLeague this year. Maybe he is the best Greek coach of the last 10 years. But the referees need to show me the same respect. Yes, maybe I haven't done great things this season, but I am still the best, most successful coach of the last 10 years. I just need the same respect shown to Bartzokas.