Lauri Markkase’s dominant position despite the harsh “luck of the lottery” – Susijengi also has an extra carrot at the World Championships

Lauri Markkanen is the best player in Susijeng’s World Cup starting group, but the group is tough. A place in the Olympic qualifiers is in any case up for grabs, writes Urheilu’s editor Roope Visuri.

Australia, Germany and Japan. Two World Cup medal candidates and two NBA players winged the competition host.

Susigengi got a really tough group for the second World Championships in its history next August and September.

However, talking about the hard luck of the lottery is a bit misleading, because with the decisions of the International Basketball Federation Fiba, the draw also had a lot to do with the placement of the teams.

Fiba announced the raffle baskets a week before the raffle (you will switch to another service). The system changed from the previous World Cup. Four years ago, the blocks were drawn evenly from different lottery baskets (you switch to another service). Now the blocks were formed so that the even draws made up one half of the WC blocks and the odd draw blocks made up the other half of the WC blocks.

At the same time, the expectations of many Finnish basketball fans changed. If the system had gone the same way as four years ago at the World Cup in China, Finland would have had easier opponents.

Of course, the system of four years ago would not have been successful now directly because of Fiba’s subcontinent. No more than two European countries or more than one country from Asia, Oceania, Africa or America could be placed in any initial block. If the system from four years ago had been used, there would have been too many European countries on the other side of the lottery chart.

When the 32-team World Cup was played for the first time four years ago, the same problems with geographical restrictions were encountered. Then the matter was resolved by only changing the places of two teams in the draw baskets (you switch to another service).

Even now, the same solution would have been possible. New Zealand, which was in the fifth draw basket with Finland, could have switched places with Latvia in the sixth draw basket. However, the exchange was not made for one reason or another.

At least based on the world rankings, the change would have been reasonably cosmetic. Four years ago, the difference between the replaced teams was four places in the world ranking, now it would have been three places.

Based on the world ranking averages, Susijeng’s final MM starting group was the second strongest. Of course, the comparison doesn’t tell everything, but at least it gives an indication of the toughness of Finland’s group.

However, Finland’s chances of success cannot be ruled out, even if the lottery result was what it was. The Susijengi has shown that in recent years by taking down tough basketball countries.

Even though the block is hard, there is no reason to stick your head in the bush.

As Susijeng’s coaching staff repeated on Saturday, Finland has usually been at its best as an underdog. The wolf gang’s story is also often built within the same setting. Now the same story can be continued at the World Cup.

Lauri Markkanen is also the best player in the starting block full of NBA players.

Of course, success requires success from many angles, and of course also good health. For example, right now about the key players Sasu Salin is the fourth week away from league games after a hip injury. (you switch to another service) A similar setback would be missed in August-September in Asia.

Olympic qualifying spot in the bracket

At the World Championships, there is also an additional carrot in the shape of five rings.

If Susijengi clears its way to the next round and into the top 16, it would seal a place in the Olympic qualifiers and a chance to win a place in the Olympics. If the road continues to struggle from places 17 to 32, the qualifying spot is still in the bracket. Especially when the opponents in the next games come from the weaker group F.

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris have a really tight screen, as one might expect for the most prestigious tournament in national team basketball. There are 12 teams participating in the Olympics. Race host France has secured its place until the last Fiba decision (you will switch to another service).

From Europe, only the two best countries in the World Championships get a direct spot, which means that it would be behind a really sensational trick from Susijeng. In total, there are seven direct spots for the Olympics from the World Championships.

However, with a few wins at the World Championships, they are already very close to a place in the decisive Olympic qualifiers. All in all, only five World Cup teams are going to be out of the final qualifying stage.

In it, 24 teams are fighting for the last four places to the Olympics.

According to all logic, Susijeng would have excellent conditions for at least an Olympic qualifying place at the World Championships. Catching it would also create a natural continuation of Susijeng’s quest.

You can read more about basketball’s Olympic qualification system from here (you will switch to another service).

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