By Michalis Gioulenoglou/ info@eurohoops.net
Riga, Latvia – Turkish national team coach Ergin Ataman said that Giannis Antetokounmpo is not called for the offensive fouls he makes, and Greek national team coach Vassilis Spanoulis doubled down on his opinion.
When he was asked about Ataman’s comment, Spanoulis replied with a smile.
As he said, commenting on his own statements in the group stage about Giannis not getting equal treatment with other stars: “Okay, we expected this from coach Ataman. Ataman is a great coach. He’s been doing this for many years, trying to influence people’s minds. I didn’t say it to influence anyone. I said it because it’s the reality. Let’s all sit down together and watch the games and see how many fouls Giannis doesn’t get, how many are unsportsmanlike, and how many offensive ones he’s made”.
According to Spanoulis, even the offensive fouls called so far on Giannis are debatable: “I don’t think he is getting away with offensive fouls. They’ve also given him a lot of charges, which were not the right calls. We also saw one against Spain that wasn’t because the defender was inside the semi-circle line, and they called it offensive, and it was very crucial at that moment of the game. So, I think they’re calling more offensive fouls on him and not giving him the fouls he should be given, considering the way he plays. Because Giannis is a very aggressive player, who goes to the basket, and two or three players keep pulling his hands.”
Talking to the Turkish media, coach Spanoulis also admitted to being flattered by the comments made by coach Ataman about him.
As he said: “I respect coach Ataman, we have a very good relationship, we have had many conversations, and I want to thank him publicly for the good words he said to me”.
Greece will face Turkey on Friday (12/9) at 20.00 CET for a ticket to the Eurobasket 2025 Final.
Photo credit: FIBA