Panathinaikos started the series with a defeat. Ergin Ataman withdrew

Panathinaikos AKTOR Head Coach Ergin Ataman made assertive statements after losing to Maccabi Playtika in the first match of the EuroLeague play-off series.

Greek team Panathinaikos AKTOR, under the management of Turkish head coach Ergin Ataman, lost 91-87 to Israeli representative Maccabi Playtika at home in the first match of the EuroLeague play-off series.

Maccabi Playtika finished the first period of the match played at OAKA Altion ahead 26-25. Panathinaikos recovered in the second quarter and went to the locker room with a 50-42 lead.
The third quarter witnessed mutual points and Panathinaikos AKTOR entered the last period ahead 70-63. Maccabi Playtika closed the gap at the beginning of the fourth quarter and then took the lead with critical baskets from outside shots, leaving the match victorious 91-87.

With this result, Maccabi Playtika took the lead 1-0 in the series. The second match of the series, in which the team that will achieve three wins will advance to the Final Four, will be played in Greece on Thursday, April 25.

Panathinaikos AKTOR Head Coach Ergin Ataman made a statement at the press conference held after the match. Speaking ambitiously for the Final Four, Ataman said, “I promise everyone here that we will go to the Final Four. It does not matter that we are 1-0 behind. If we cannot go to the Final Four, I will not be at Panathinaikos next year.”

odatv.com