The Finnish national basketball team defeated Estonia 86-80 (46-50) after tight performances. Lauri Markkanen was the character of the match with 29 points and 13 rebounds.
After the break, Susijengi, which is preparing for the Basketball World Cup, got its defense in shape enough to win the national match against Estonia with points of 86–80 (46–50) in Espoo.
In the final quarter, Finland took command with important defensive stops and was able to score the necessary points. Lauri Markkanen sank Finland’s last four points.
The game seemed to have been decided for Susijeng already at the beginning of the last period, when the quarterback, who also took responsibility for the quarterback, distributed eight assists Sasu Salin nailed the 67–61 lead with his triple. Jukka Toyola however, the overtime woke up the guests, and Estonia was in a 68-67 advantage again in an instant.
Markkanen collected a handsome 29 points with fourteen shots and also grabbed 13 rebounds. Salin bagged 12 and Elias Valtonen 11 points.
Susigengi led the match for the first time only in the 28th minute, when Topias Palmi scored five straight points and took the hosts to a 60–58 lead.
Estonia took advantage of passive defense
The defense of the Finnish basketball players, and the team’s concentration, was not the best A-class in the opening periods. Estonia often flashed its game speed, which produced surprising difficulties for the hosts. Estonia went into the break with a four-point lead, 50–46.
– The passivity in defense and elsewhere was striking. Estonia, which is a good team when it gets to play its own game, part of Finland’s coaching, was given the nod Hanno Möttölä commented to Nelose during the break.
Finland practically played the match without three full-backs, when they started the game as a point Ilari Seppälä injured his calf after only five minutes of play and did not play after that.
Finland’s lineup already lacked two regular backcourt players Miro Little and Edon Maxhuni. In addition Mikael Jantunen hurt his hand and didn’t play more than ten minutes in the match.
Susijengi had beaten Lithuania last week Friday 81-79 in Tampere. Before the World Cup tournament, Finland will face Lithuania on August 14 and Latvia on August 16.
Susigengi and Australia will kick off the upcoming World Cup competitions with their mutual meeting at Okinawa’s Naha Arena on Friday, August 25. In addition, reigning European Championship bronze medalist Germany and host Japan will play in the group.
The story will be completed later.