Ataman expressed his displeasure with the refereeing performance, stating that he had not witnessed anything similar in his 25-year career. These remarks come after a game in which his team lost to the 'taronja' squad, leveling the series at two wins apiece.
“"Everyone saw it, I know the technical fouls we committed but watch the game again, it's the first time in 25 years of my career that I've seen such strange things as I saw today."
The tension between both teams and their coaches has been palpable throughout the series. In the third game, Ataman and Pedro Martínez, Valencia Basket's coach, were ejected after a heated confrontation. In the fourth game, Ataman avoided the customary handshake with Martínez and his coaching staff.
Despite his criticisms, Ataman acknowledged that the series is very close and that both teams will fight until the end. He added that, if everything is fair and Valencia Basket wins one more time, they will deserve to be in the Final Four.
“"We are 2-2, all four games have been very close, both teams are very evenly matched and will fight, I hope everything is fair. If everything is fair and Valencia beats us one more time, they will deserve to be in the Final Four."
The Turkish coach's statements appear to be aimed at stirring up the atmosphere and influencing refereeing decisions for the upcoming game, a tactic he has frequently employed since the start of the series.
