Lauri Markkanen showed professional manners in Susijeng’s EC opening despite the surprising NBA trade. However, the overtime loss was stinging, writes Urheilu’s Roope Visuri.
19:27•Updated 19:37
What the hell again, Wolf Gang? That was the first thought when the European Championship opener against Israel went into overtime. The same had already happened in the opening match of the previous two European Championships. In 2017, France fell after memorable stages in the Helsinki arena. Two years earlier, the same thing happened against France.
Above all, Susijengi already played wild thrillers in the European Championships five years ago. Four of the five preliminary group games ended with a difference of less than five points.
Susijeng’s repertoire also includes wonderful tight wins. In basketball games, situations often change, but Susijeng’s constantly tight nitro games are starting to become quite a legendary concept in themselves.
The wolf gang has often been fueled by its fan base in these games. Even now, Susijeng’s fans clearly overshadowed Israel’s supporters in terms of their number and loudness. In sunny Prague, it was already noticeable in the morning how the streets were filled with happy Finnish chatter and mood. The same continued in the Uumen of the Prague arena.
The shouts of “Fight Suomi” certainly left their mark on the minds of many and brought energy to the team. Even now, the estimated five thousand Finnish spectators showed once again how they belong to the world’s best basketball fans.
Despite the handsome support of the Susijengi fans, the stories could not be continued at the opening of this year’s EC.
The wolf gang did scurry along, even though Israel still had numerous places to run to for their final escape. At the end of the actual game time With Gal Mekel there was already a place to pack the game under the basket, but it didn’t work out.
Markkanen dropped his jaws like the fans
Susijeng’s EC opening match took a new turn late on Friday evening, when the team’s biggest star Lauri Markkanen was reported to have been traded to the bottom end of the NBA, the Utah Jazz, for the coming season.
The hottest question was how Markkanen reacted to such shocking news. However, geographically, it is a 3,000 kilometer leap for the father of two children. And to a team that is even less successful professionally.
Many knew how to expect that Markkanen would hardly startle the situation. However, there were also doubts.
Markkanen seemed to be a hard-working professional. Markkanen even dropped jaws with his performances in the opening period of the Israel game.
Markkanen blew up the four-digit number of Finnish supporters into jubilation when, at the end of the first ten minutes, he shot a donk into the basket as the buzzer sounded.
11 points in the opening period, the first of a professional, although the last day has certainly not been the easiest. Markkanen’s agent also admitted it Michael Lelchitskiwho said that the Finn’s first reaction was shock.
However, the blond giant showed that he was in shock. Susigengi already jumped to a lead of 14 points.
Despite this, Israel seemed to have done their homework and was able to catch Susijeng, who were playing in a frenzy. Of course, Finland was able to challenge Israel with Lauri Markkanen’s baskets, but the star player was far too alone in the match.
Markkanen scored 33 points and Alexander Madsen also kept the team up at times with his hard threes, but with Lauri Markkase alone, Finland will hardly succeed in the future.
The loss was also a very bitter start to the EC tournament. Before the Games, there was already time to speculate internationally as to how Finland would have a chance for the second place in the group behind champion candidate Serbia. Now that opportunity came crashing down.
Still, Susijeng’s dream of the playoffs and winning there is still alive. From Finland’s point of view, the chart is still favorable.
In possible follow-up games, the opponent would come from group C and probably from the trio of Italy, Croatia and Greece. Of course, this speculation also requires evidence on the European Championship floor. The performance seen on Friday afternoon is simply not enough from Susijeng.
A better performance is needed against the bigger Poland on Saturday. A loss in that game would make Susijeng’s situation very difficult.
Perhaps on Saturday, Markkanen will also be available to be interviewed by the media after the game. This was not the case on Friday.
Finland will face Poland in its second European Championship match on Saturday at 15:00. Broadcast on Areena and TV1 at 14:45, the broadcast will switch to TV2 at 15:50.