Sloukas: “Best of all Panathinaikos 2009 – Like my first Final 4, when I’m not motivated I’ll stop”

Kostas Sloukas apotheosis Ergin Ataman and his teammates, characterized him Panathinaikos in 2009 as the top team… ever in the Euroleague and stood on the return to the finals of the event after 12 years.

At the same time, in the statements made by its leader “clover” at the usual press conference on the sidelines Final-4 of Berlin, explained what will ultimately decide the winner and revealed when basketball will stop.

His statements in detail:

“I am very happy and proud of my teammates and the organization. Panathinaikos belongs to the highest level. 12 years was a long time There is no knowledge, everyone is hungry. We must be humble“, he initially said.

On whether he has realized what he has achieved in the Final-4: “I am very lucky that in a career of 12-13 years I have played in big teams, such as Olympiacos and Fener. The big teams move on and don’t stick to faces, that’s why they’re here. For me it’s like the first Final 4, you fight for your best, first in the semi-final and if you make it to the final.”

For Fenerbahce and how the semi-final will be decided: “I have great respect, Fener has a great coach and great players. He is always well prepared. The issue is how much you want to win, who wants it more and of course such games are judged by the personality of the players. Of course luck plays a role, especially in a 40-minute match. I hope we have her on our side.”

Ataman expressed earlier the faith he has in his team: “Coach Ataman is generally an optimistic person, he has self-confidence and this comes from his work. From the first days we spoke we said we believed it. When he sees that the team leader has such confidence, he pulls the whole team towards him. And we see that Panathinaikos is on the biggest stage of the Euroleague, where it deserves to be.”



For his second appearance as well as that of Panathinaikos AKTOR in Berlin: “Panathinaikos in 2009 in Berlin was probably the best team in the history of the Euroleague. In 2016, again in Berlin, we were down by 20 points at half-time, but we turned it around with Fener until we went to overtime from Kriapas’ follow-up and eventually lost. I will remember it all my life.”

For his presence as the leader of Panathinaikos AKTOR: “It’s incredible for Greek basketball that the two teams are in the Final 4. Last summer I made a difficult decision for many reasons, but I’m glad I made it. For me one word is important, motivation. When I’m not motivated I’ll stop. Panathinaikos deserves to be in the Final 4, twelve years was a long time and we hope for the best”.