Ergin Ataman: We are going to win
18.01.2005
Today the delegation of Tirkish Ulker came to Moscow to the game of 11th round of Euroleague ULEB. Before traditional evening practice in USH CSKA the head coach of guests Ergin Ataman answered several questions for our site.
Today the delegation of Tirkish Ulker came to Moscow to the game of 11th round of Euroleague ULEB. Before traditional evening practice in USH CSKA the head coach of guests Ergin Ataman answered several questions for our site:
Do you have some injured players in your roster?
We came to Moscow in the full squad. We have only one injured player – young center Fatih Solak who did not participate any Euroleague games. All other players are in good physical conditions and ready to play.
What changed in your team since first game against CSKA in Istambul?
We had bad start in Euroleague. The roster has changed very much in the summer, new foreign and Turkish players came to the team. They needed time to start to play by my philosophy. But I don’t think that we played bad against CSKA. After that game we have shown good basketball and in 6 games lose only once - on last seconds against Panathinaikos.
Why did you decide to replace Jackson to Vukcevic?
Jackson is American player who did not have any experience in European basketball. According to Turkish basketball rules, he could not participate in the games of national championship, only in Euroleague. It was difficult for him. And we decided to invite Vukcevic. I know this player very well. He played in my team when I worked in Montepaschi Siena when we moved into Final Four. It is very experienced player who can help us in future.
Who is the favorite of tomorrow game?
Of course, CSKA. Your team shows very good basketball, they did not lose any game from the start of the season. But we also want to win. I think that both teams would not play under some pressure. CSKA already guaranteed the place in TOP16. For us the lose would not be big tragedy, because all our opponents lose here in Moscow. The only one that can pressure CSKA – they want to win at home and continue their winning series.
Do you have some injured players in your roster?
We came to Moscow in the full squad. We have only one injured player – young center Fatih Solak who did not participate any Euroleague games. All other players are in good physical conditions and ready to play.
What changed in your team since first game against CSKA in Istambul?
We had bad start in Euroleague. The roster has changed very much in the summer, new foreign and Turkish players came to the team. They needed time to start to play by my philosophy. But I don’t think that we played bad against CSKA. After that game we have shown good basketball and in 6 games lose only once - on last seconds against Panathinaikos.
Why did you decide to replace Jackson to Vukcevic?
Jackson is American player who did not have any experience in European basketball. According to Turkish basketball rules, he could not participate in the games of national championship, only in Euroleague. It was difficult for him. And we decided to invite Vukcevic. I know this player very well. He played in my team when I worked in Montepaschi Siena when we moved into Final Four. It is very experienced player who can help us in future.
Who is the favorite of tomorrow game?
Of course, CSKA. Your team shows very good basketball, they did not lose any game from the start of the season. But we also want to win. I think that both teams would not play under some pressure. CSKA already guaranteed the place in TOP16. For us the lose would not be big tragedy, because all our opponents lose here in Moscow. The only one that can pressure CSKA – they want to win at home and continue their winning series.
