On Sunday, will show Susijeng’s quarter-final. The match’s opponent and start time will be confirmed later.
Finland defeated the Netherlands 88–67 in their last group game of the European Basketball Championships. Finland didn’t have to stretch to its best against the group jumbo that lost its further chances.
With the win, Finland took second place in the group. It will be confirmed if Serbia beats Poland in the evening game starting at 22:00 on Thursday.
Read more: Comment: The wolf gang won, but nothing was solved yet! Herein lies the wonderful value of Lauri “MVP” Markkanen’s super performances
The best scorer of the match was Lauri Markkanen With 22 points, even though he only played 18 minutes. The match was decided early when Finland led by 17 points at the break and by 27 before the last quarter. Finland was able to evenly play the entire roster. Konkari got the most playing time in the end Shawn Huff25.30.
Read more about the progress of the match in Urheilu’s EC competition club.
“Thank you Petter!”
The most emotional moment of the match was seen in the final minutes. Susijeng’s fans, who cheered wildly throughout the first half, gave the basketball fans chills: they started shouting demanding Petteri Kopo to the field.
Susijeng’s head coach Lassi Tuovi answered the shout. Koponen and Huff, Finland’s basketball legends who are ending their careers at the European Championships, got to enjoy the last minutes on the field. Shouts of “Thank you Petteri” rang out in the Prague arena.
For fans not making the trip to the playoffs in Berlin, this was the last chance to see the duo in action.
After the match, Koponen had to wipe tears from his eyes.
– After all, this was for myself… I thought I wouldn’t get emotional. But at the end, even the old man got emotional, Koponen, taken by the fans’ gesture, wondered after the match.
In the video below, you can hear how the fans started the shouts of thanks. The story continues after the video.
Koponen, who played 14 minutes in the match, scored five points. He was no longer ready for the field in the last quarter, but it was nice to answer the fans’ wish.
– Lassi came earlier to ask if I was going to the field. I said that it is not necessarily a must. It was already quite cold. Then the fans shouted, so they were put on the field again. Yes, I got a little emotional.
To the writing media, Koponen recalled that he has played in the men’s national team for more than 16 years, but never before had the public forced him onto the field.
– Now I thought that this is the moment. All kinds of thoughts started to cross my mind. These are the moments I got from the basket, and now the last meters are starting, Koponen said according to STT.
In the video that is the main picture of the story, Koposen’s interview. Below, among other things, Markkanen’s wonderful alley-oop basket seen in the third quarter of the match, to which Koponen offered a pass.
Koponen, 34, started his career in the men’s national team in August 2006. His wish is to prolong his farewell. Finland will face Italy, Hungary or Croatia in the quarterfinals on Sunday.
– Of course, we hope that as many as possible, all the fans who are able, will come there. It has been an immense help, it has been a great encouragement. Greetings fans, everyone to Berlin! Let’s treat ourselves to the top eight for the first time.
Head coach Tuov gives instructions to the fans
Lassi Tuovi stated after the match that the most important thing was that many had success and everyone remained intact.
Did the fans get to decide on the game towards the end?
– No, the player ultimately makes the final decision. The audience did give many people chills. It was a nice gesture.
– I don’t know if I will get into this situation again in my career, that I get to send a player on the field in a place like this, who has been one of my big favorites. Yes, it gave me the chills, and I think quite a few others too, Tuovi added according to STT.
For the fans, Tuov had clear instructions for Berlin.
– It’s a great city and they play good basketball there, hopefully well into next week. I recommend a weekend trip at first, and then a sliding schedule.
Next, Susijeng has a bus trip of about 350 kilometers from Prague to Berlin. That’s where the preparation for Sunday’s opponent begins on Friday.
In the videos below, you can watch how things went in Susijeng’s booth after the win against Holland, as well as the entire interview with head coach Tuov.
Captain Shawn Huff was satisfied with Finland’s performance in Prague.
– I am really proud of what we did. We grew a lot during the first block.
Huff also received special attention from Susijeng fans at the end of the match and after.
– Really grateful for all the years that I got to play in this team. But the down is not over yet, we have games in Berlin!
The percentage of Finland’s set shots is 48, Holland’s 45. The percentage of three-point shots is clearly 39-24 in favor of Finland.
Finland sank 18/31 of its twos and 14/36 of its threes. The corresponding figures for the Netherlands are 20/36 and 4/17.
Rebounds: Finland 31, Holland 32. With quick attacks, Finland got as many as 24 points from the opponent’s turnovers, Holland only 8.
Finland’s score:
Lauri Markkanen: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Shawn Huff: 14 points, 4 rebounds
Edon Maxhuni: 9 points, 5 assists
Mikael Jantunen: 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Henri Kantonen: 7 points
Alexander Madsen: 7 points, 6 rebounds
Ilari Seppälä: 5 points, 3 assists
Petteri Koponen: 5 points, 4 assists
Elias Valtonen: 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Sasu Salin: 3 points, 2 assists
Miro Little: 2 points
Topias Palmi: 2 points
The best of Holland:
Worthy De Jong: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Keye van der Vuurst de Vries: 9 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists
Charlon Kloof: 8 points, 3 assists
Read more:
Comment: The wolf gang won, but nothing was solved yet! Herein lies the wonderful value of Lauri “MVP” Markkanen’s super performances
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