A simple glance at the highlights of each meeting allows you to get an idea. Turkey started their Euro with a narrow victory against Montenegro (72-68) in an almost confidential atmosphere.
The same observation was made during Spain’s easy entry into the game against Bulgaria (114-87) with a Tbilisi Arena dotted with a few spectators – the upper stands completely empty, those behind the baskets too – where the screeching on the floor put an end to the cathedral silence…
While the second day of this group stage in this group A has started in Georgia, Ergin Ataman does not hesitate to do a bad thing. At the time of claiming, at the end of the training, ” more fluidity in attack and defense on behalf of his troop, he adds: There may be a lack of concentration because the atmosphere is very bad here. There are no spectators, except for the games against Georgia. We started off with a win.“
This difference in visual and sound impression is confirmed by seeing the images of the first match narrowly lost by the Georgians against Belgium (76-79). The local team logically arouses much more enthusiasm.
We only saw 100 spectators
” After so many years in the EuroLeague, this experience for me in this kind of tournament… I think for some players, this kind of atmosphere… I don’t know how you feel. The atmosphere at every game in the NBA, EuroLeague… Tonight we only saw 100 spectators “, Still regrets the coach of Anadolu Efes.
The latter is joined in his findings by his Spanish counterpart, Sergio Scariolo. This one was even amused after the success of his team against Bulgaria.
In a press conference, his back Lorenzo Brown pointed out that many of his relatives had watched the match from the United States. The technician then interrupted him to let go: “ I’m sure there were more Lorenzo’s parents watching the game online than people in the room!“
Beyond the atmosphere, the Turkish coach deplores broader organizational concerns. ” Furkan (Korkmaz) has back spasms. It started yesterday afternoon. The conditions here are not very good. We got to the gym from the hotel after 45-50 minutes. These are extremely unfavorable conditions. We had Furkan play with an injection yesterday. The doctors said it was better if he stayed at the hotel today. We left it at the hotel because the bus ride was too long. Normally he should be here and attend training “, annoys Ergin Ataman whose team should, logically, soon leave Georgia for Germany where the finals will be played.
Meanwhile, Turkey meets the host nation this Sunday.
