The careers of two Finnish national team icons, Petteri Kopose and Shawn Huff, ended when Finland suffered a 90–100 loss to Spain in the quarterfinals of the European Basketball Championships.
Mika Halonen,
Janne Karinkanta
13.9. 21:21•Updated 13.9. 22:20
When Spain beat Finnish basketball in the quarter-finals of the European Championship with a score of 100-90, the careers of two Finnish basketball icons ended at the same time. Team captain Shawn Huff38, and Petteri Koponen34, said goodbye to the basketball courts in Berlin.
You can read about the progress of the match in this story or on Urheilu’s European Championships coverage.
When the match ended, Huff was in tears. The EC competition organization remembered the duo after the match. The Spanish team also respectfully stayed on the side of the field to watch as Huff and Koponen went around thanking the crowd. Only then did the Spanish team start their own celebrations in honor of advancing to the medal games.
The story continues after the videos below.
Petteri Koponen feels disappointed and wistful: “The national team is in good hands”
Petteri Koponen was extremely disappointed in the interview after the match. At the same time, he stated that he was feeling homesick.
– Top thoughts: grateful, but really sad. We had the seams to win. We were doing something absolutely incredible.
– Then Spain showed why their players play in the leagues they play in. They put a second gear in the eye, which we couldn’t respond to. It’s hard to win in these matches if the opponent makes a hundred pins. But I’m damn proud of every guy in this tournament, Koponen said.
Koponen praised the current Susijengi group as one of the best he has been a part of.
– Finnish basketball has a great future. I’m happy about it, I’ve seen it rise. The national team is in good hands, it’s great to watch it from the other side.
– This has been my whole life. Basketball has taken more than 20 years around the world and defined the family’s everyday life. Now life changes. At the same time, the feeling has gotten easier, it has been a struggle mentally and physically for the past few years, Koponen said, referring to his hip problem.
Without that trouble, Kopose would still have playing years left. Finland has already secured its place in next year’s World Championships. From Kopo, the competitions certainly beckoned, but he has stated in interviews that it is simply no longer possible to continue his career.
Koponen added that the future is also somewhat scary.
– I’m definitely involved in the basket in some way. It’s time to do other things too, I’m looking forward to that half of life too.
In the video below, you can watch Petteri Koponen’s entire interview after the last match of his career.
A grateful Shawn Huff is also excited about the future of basketball
By the time he came to the interview, Shawn Huff’s worst emotions had already subsided.
– As I have said before, I am grateful for this trip. Especially for this match, I am grateful for how we came into the game. We showed attitude and played well, but Spain showed why they have won so many titles. They showed faith and culture.
Spain has 13 medals at the EC level. Since 2007, it has always been with EC medals: three gold, one silver and two bronze.
Huff described his career as a “long one” that has included “everything”. However, what was foremost in my mind was where Susijengi is now. The place in the semi-finals was also a historic achievement.
– We can come to the EC tournament and seriously fight for a place in the medal games. It’s a really great achievement. I am excited about the future of Finland basketball and these young guys who are already used to the fact that success will come and work accordingly.
On social media, Huff shared his heartfelt thanks to basketball after the game.
– Thank you. I gave my all to basketball and the sport gave back many times over.
To the young Finnish players and talents, Huff sent succinct greetings in the chest voice of experience.
– Dare to train, dare to dream. After that, anything is possible.
In the video below, you can watch Shawn Huff’s full interview after the last game of his career.
Everyday life from dreams
During the Games, Huff recalled in an interview with Urheilu that in the early years of his National Team career, you couldn’t even speak out loud about a place in a prestigious tournament. Now it has become everyday.
Read more about the duo’s amazing careers and achievements: When Shawn Huff was young, he didn’t dare to say out loud his dream, which is now everyday life in Susijeng – Petteri Koponen hated basketball as a child, but grew up to be a star
Huff represented the national team for 20 years, starting in 2003. He was elected Susijeng’s captain in 2015 Hanno Möttölän finished his career.
Koponen joined the national team in 2006. Both Koponen and Huff represented Finland in the national team in five EC tournaments and the 2014 World Championships.
Koponen and Huff were Finland’s leaders and standard-setters both on and off the court for a long time. In particular, the role of the mental side was emphasized in the European Championships, when the team had eight first-timers of the prestigious tournament.
Read more:
Spain beat Susijeng in the EC quarter-finals – Finland had a dazzling opening half, then the reigning world champions showed their strength
When Shawn Huff was young, he didn’t dare to say out loud his dream, which is now everyday life in Susijeng – Petteri Koponen hated basketball as a child, but grew up to be a star
See how Susijeng’s fans gave Petteri Kopose and the head coach unique vibes – “This is the moment”
Now Lauri Markka is incensed by a very strong party! The coaching legend uploaded a great review to – even the NBA icon gets stuck sometimes
The audience’s line: Lauri Markkanen is by far Finland’s brightest sports star – he clearly crushed even Iivo Niskanen in the vote