As Panathinaikos arrived at their hotel for the Final Four in Berlin, what should have been a routine check-in turned tense. The presence of a group of Fenerbahce fans led to an unexpected and heated encounter involving Ergin Ataman, the Panathinaikos coach, and the team personnel.
The hotel hosting all teams for the Final Four also saw a gathering of Fenerbahce fans, eagerly waiting to greet their own players. However, their presence extended to the arrival of Panathinaikos, where they greeted the incoming bus with boos. The atmosphere, though charged, remained under control initially.
Ergin Ataman, unperturbed by the boos, went about his task of unpacking his bags with patience. The situation remained calm until he approached the hotel’s door, at which point the dynamic shifted dramatically.
As Ataman took his final steps towards the hotel, Fenerbahce fans began to taunt him with references to past doping allegations—a sensitive and often repeated topic by Fenerbahce supporters. The taunts were sharp, and Ataman’s response was immediate and explicit, as he shouted back at the fans.
The verbal exchange quickly escalated. A faction of the Fenerbahce supporters began to aggressively advance towards Ataman and the Panathinaikos personnel, transforming the situation into a full-blown conflict. Though it did not turn physical, the confrontation was intense and disruptive.
Amidst this disruption, it’s essential to highlight Panathinaikos’ performance in the EuroLeague this season. They secured the 7th place in standings with an average of 82.4 points per game and an accuracy of 48.5%. Their standout player, Kendrick Nunn, has been a significant contributor to their success.
The incident in Berlin underscores the intensity surrounding Ergin Ataman and his team, Panathinaikos. Despite the provocations and the heated exchange, the focus remains on their performance and ambitions at the Final Four. This disruption, while noteworthy, is just another chapter in the storied journey of Ergin Ataman and Panathinaikos.
