Susijeng credit player Mikael Jantunen and as a coach who has done top-notch work at the club level Tuomas Iisalon Paris Basketball conquered the French Cup last Sunday, securing the club its first trophy.
The young, only five-year-old Paris Basketball won three tight cup matches in three days, which was rewarded with a handsome trophy. Jantunen also did an important job in the final with statistics of 12 points and eight rebounds. The 204-centimeter Finn ripped the most loose balls from both teams in the final.
– The club’s first trophy is always a big deal, and shows the direction the club is going. For the club’s employees, it could even be a bigger deal than for the players. However, the trophy was only a stopgap, as the work continues and the main goals will only be revealed in the spring, Jantunen reminds.
– It was fun in the hall and there was little time to celebrate, but the group dispersed immediately after the victory, when some of the players went to Paris by bus and some went to the national teams.
Jantunen has developed as a player in small steps, especially in the attacking direction. In the three games of the Cup weekend, he sank, for example, threes with an amazing shooting percentage of 72.7 (8/11).
– I have been quite satisfied with my own performance, although there has been a lot of learning and ups and downs, as always happens during a long season. The team’s success is the most important. When the club is successful, then their own performance is probably at a good level, Jantunen knows.
Jantunen emphasizes that the season is only halfway through. It is worth asking again in June if he is satisfied with the season.
– I think I have moved forward in small, detailed matters. They may not necessarily be visible, but they are accompanied by important things and things that make it easier for the general public to play, as well as being factors that often do when playing at a high level its crucial difference.
– I have emphasized attacking play, I have made little progress there, admits the national team member who switched from football to basketball at the age of 11.
One of twelve players
The Helsinki-based Wartti Basketin grower keeps a low profile about his own role in Paris.
– I am one of the twelve players who will give everything there. We have a wide rotation as well as a tight group and we enjoy playing with each other. Then he does everything to make sure the team wins. Sometimes it’s scoring points, sometimes picking up loose balls.
– I try to be as versatile as possible and fill my box in defense. The most important thing is to fulfill your role, whatever it is, and it can vary from game to game.
Jantunen considers the French premier league to be a competitive league, the games of which are often challenging and difficult due to the speed, skill and athleticism of the players.
– There are really a lot of good players in the series. The clubs’ own young players are also of a high standard. Every game develops.
Tuomas Iisalo, who successfully coached German basketball in the Bundesliga in recent years, took over this season as the head coach of Paris Basketball with a three-year contract. The Finnish pilot has a reputation as a strict, demanding coach.
– There is a strict line in basketball matters and a culture has been created around it, but then outside the basket he is a very good guy and off the court the group is fun. Tuomaks has a very good balance between basketball and non-basketball, praises Jantunen and continues:
– I personally like direct and honest feedback, which develops. The player also needs to know how to take responsibility, although it is not always an easy place. You should try to enjoy that too, and if something develops young people.
Glue player of the wolf gang
Also the head coach of the Finnish men’s basketball team Lassi Tuovi is happy about the upswing in Mikael Jantunen’s career. In Susijengsi, Jantunen is of course much more than “one of the twelve players†.
– He has had an excellent season in Paris and is moving forward in his career in a determined, systematic way, as well as in tougher places than before. He has taken on a bigger role and developed as a player.
– †Micke†has always been a tough fighter and known more as a defense specialist, but all the time he has to add nuances to his game. I would even argue that all of us now get to enjoy some new things on the field. Above all, he is an extremely good team player who has grown over the years to become Susijeng’s glue player at both ends of the field, Tuovi underlines.
Susijeng’s responsible pilot considers Jantus a fighter who runs on the field and is a modern, big player.
– I am happy that he is constantly improving his ball-playing and has brought new things to it in Paris. This describes his passion and also his discipline to be better than before and at the same time develop weaknesses. Micke will become a versatile player over the years, as long as he is given time and, above all, patience.
Susijengi has already secured its place in the upcoming games as one of the autumn 2025 European Championship hosts, but the next six qualifying matches will be defined by the teams that will face each other in the first groups of the European Championship.
On Friday evening, February 23, starting at 21:00, Finland will face Serbia, the successful country of the sport, the European second in the Fiba ranking, in the basket sauna in Belgrade, and on Monday, February 26. In Espoo, Denmark.
– You rarely get to play, for example, in an away game against Serbia, which has half of the team World Cup silver medalists and the rest of the players are Euroleague players. Every player wants to succeed in this kind of environment, and it’s a good opportunity to take steps forward again, Jantunen gets excited.
– Denmark is also home to Europe’s top individuals. It’s always a big deal to represent your country and challenge top individuals. We always play for glory.
The other windows of the EC qualification will be played in November 2024 and February 2025.
You can watch Mikael Jantunen’s Juuret episode on Areena. In the series, you will also get to know the stories of Elias Valtonen, Sasu Salin, Lauri Markkanen and Lassi Tuovi.