Playmaker legend Teemu Rannikko looks to the future of Finnish basketball. Two of the victorious European champions from Slovenia were impressed, although the journey to the World Cup is still a long one.
In the midst of Ukraine’s dire war situation, the wolf gang served small glimpses of basketball joy by winning the two-time reigning European champion Slovenia in the World Cup qualifiers.
The wins elevated Susijeng to the top of the qualifiers before the final matches against Sweden and Croatia in June-July. The top three in the block will advance to the qualifiers, which will begin in the fall.
Slovenia was close to the final in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics. Only three players were missing from the team’s Olympic line-up against Finland, including the DBA Mavericks NBA star. Luka Doncic is the best in the world.
During the opening period of the away match at Koper, Finland played great basketball and took a break with 21 points (52–31). A player legend who ended his career last year Teemu Rannikko incense Finland presented a top basket at the opening half.
– It does not occur to me that Finland has ever played so well, and I still remember quite a long way. The defense worked through the match, and in the first game, the big problem with playing volleyball was better.
The coast emphasizes that Finland was able to create a large number of throwing sites. Finding them has been a problem in the past.
– At the attacking end, the ball was split and the play did not go to bounce or transfer responsibility. Dare to challenge their own defender, give extra passes and it was really an intact half-time away.
According to the coast, the overthrow of Slovenia twice in four days is one of the feats of Finnish basketball.
– It’s hard to say how highly this is valued, but this was certainly one of the toughest tricks in a long time. The very fact that winning two games in the World Cup qualifiers at home and away against anyone but against a great but still dominant European Championship gold medalist and the Olympics is a really tough deal.
The Wolf Gang of the future is being built
The World Cup qualifier started with a minor loss to Sweden, but the final victory in Croatia turned Finland in the right direction.
From the Finnish Rear Department Petteri Koponen and Edon Maxhuni had to be sidelined against Slovenia, but Ilari Seppälä, Jamar Wilson and a 17-year-old debutant Miro Little managed to lead Finland to victories.
The wolf gang has been in a transformation, when the veterans who built the basketball boom in Finland have been left out. At the same time, younger players have taken their steps towards greater minutes of play.
Edon Maxhuni, 23, Elias Valtonen22, Mikael Jantunen21, and in the future Little will also belong to the group that will play a major role in the future Susijeng.
The coast reminds us that a generational change does not happen overnight.
– There is not much concern for the Finnish team, and I don’t think it has been at any point. Of course, if there is practically the same frame for 10 years, then young players will come at a steady pace, but it will take time. It cannot be assumed that the continuum will be ready again in the first international matches.
– Valtonen and Jantunen are players who have been involved for some years. They have flashed as well as played good games. To get the approval of the audience or critical viewers, one good game is not enough, you have to have successes in the long run. So many good games have already been seen that those in charge have already emerged enough.
17-year-old Little made an impression on his first appearances, although there were more difficulties in the away game. Former main league player and current referee LaTrice Littlen the boy is an athletic rearman who plays for the third year on the HBA-Märsky team in the divar. The goal is for U.S. university teams that Little has already visited.
Little is the first minor on the national team to play since Coast. A senior playmaker has watched the young entrant’s grips with joy.
According to coastal estimates, Little did well in line with expectations. The 17-year-old has a hard time getting involved in important games for the national team. Coast in particular praises the debutant’s restraint in offensive play, although there were a couple of losses in the second game.
– He played mature and was able to reset situations well. By the age of 17, he’s also physically ready to play, and that’s not self-evident. In the defensive game, he did excellently in the first game and filled his place better than I expected.
Modern Valtonen and Jantunen
In the Finnish game-making department, Rannikko sees a lot of potential. Edon Maxhuni, who plays in Den Bosch in the Netherlands, turns 24 in March, and Little is just approaching adulthood. Ilari Seppälä, who has sunk important baskets in Koper, will soon be 29 years old.
For years, the ball was in the hands of either Rannikko, Koponen, who is finishing his career at the European Championships, or Wilson, who is 38 years old, but the scepter is naturally moving forward.
– In the victory over Croatia, Edon showed that he is ready to take responsibility. He has developed into a better player. Ilari played good games against Slovenia and played a big role, especially in Koper.
The coast reminds that compared to a club team, playing on a national team is different.
– All these backmen have a lot of work to do, but there is also potential for development. Once certain players have been there for a long time, it will take time for new players to come. The situation is in good hands.
The roles of Mikael Jantunen, who has joined the Belgian champions Ostend for this season, and Elias Valtonen, who will play in the ACB league in Manresa, Spain, will increase further in the coming years. The coast sees players marinated in US university basketball for a couple of years bring new elements to the Finnish game.
– They are still young players, but have taken big steps forward in recent years, as expected of them. They are modern basket players, so to speak. They move well and are smart in the defense game.
In the home game, Valtonen took four fights against Slovenia. It is a rare reading for a third-place Finnish player. The coast says the duo fit the Susijeng concept well.
– They are able to change screens and give the team an advantage. At the attacking head, they have moved forward since the throwing skill. They are able to finish the basket close by and the throw threat starts to be so hard behind the arc that when they take the throws, they are good.
Another trip to the World Cup
All in all, Rannikko sees that the Finnish team is well balanced in terms of age structure.
– If we think of Jantus, Valto, Maxhun and Lauri from Markka, they have already gained experience and will be responsible for the future. In terms of age, they already have enough repetitions in the background, and there is also a more experienced guard on the team.
– There is no such situation anymore, which was a few years ago, that the young people were really young and the parents started to look a little older.
Finland played at the World Basketball Championships in Bilbao in 2014. The place for next year’s matches in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia is still behind the hard work. The wolf gang has not yet secured its place in the qualifiers, and according to Rannikko, it is worth keeping your feet firmly on the ground.
Six teams from two blocks will be connected to the qualifying blocks, and the starting points from their own starting block will stand. In the end, the top three from each block will survive the race.
– Every game is really important. These games against Slovenia showed that anything is possible. In the qualifying round, there would be hard countries, and it is not worth thinking too far.
After the last World Cup qualifiers this summer Henrik Dettmann makes room for coaching Lassi Tuovillewhich leads Susijeng to the European Championships in Prague.
The coast reminds us not to draw too many conclusions from the Slovenia Games. However, they raised hopes.
– Finland has shown that it can play against top countries. One has to remember in what way and with a good basket the games have been won. It has been shown to be able to cope at both ends of the field. The European Championships are a different matter, and there are many early series games. Anything is possible there, Rannikko says.