BERLIN. Susijeng’s European championships ended after some great performances in the quarter-finals, when Spain was stronger, 100-90, despite Finland’s great start.
As a whole, Susijeng’s tournament was positive. In the survey, it was the first time in 55 years that Finland was among the top eight at the EC level.
The headlines were raised in particular Lauri Markkanen, who is in the top three of the games in points statistics. He averaged 27.9 points per game. Above are only the best players in the NBA Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.3 p.) and Luka Doncic (28.0p). The games of the latter will continue at least until Wednesday’s quarter-finals, while Greece lost to Germany in the quarter-finals.
Lauri’s father Pekka Markkanen was watching the Finland-Spain match on the spot in Berlin.
– I am really proud and happy, what Lauri and the whole team have done. The worst part was watching on the couch at home when I couldn’t get to the scene at first. Now I had to cancel the events from the calendar in order to get to the place, Pekka Markkanen said.
See below for Lauri Markkanen’s best pieces in the European Championships. The story continues after the videos.
During the European Championships, Pekka Markkanen was most satisfied with the kind of greetings his son sent in the direction of the NBA.
– They finally see that Lauri is not just a thrower. Lauri can pass the ball. Hopefully we will be able to use it better next season, Pekka Markkanen stated.
Lauri Markkanen’s role has been talked about a lot during his NBA career. Markkanen, 25, has not been able to shine in the world’s best basketball league, the NBA, in the same way he did in the European Championships.
According to Pekka’s father, Lauri Markkanen has gained more strength recently, but his speed and mobility have not suffered.
– Now it’s a tough challenge for an NBA coach, how to utilize Lauri.
The transfer news was a shock
Lauri Markkanen’s European Championships were quite eventful. He heard the surprising news the night before the EC opening, when it was reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers had traded him to the Utah Jazz.
Pekka Markkanen admits that the news was a shock.
– We started thinking about how things happen in practice. The background troops are now working to make the move as painless as possible, Pekka Markkanen said.
Cleveland was a rising team of young stars, while Utah is in the middle of a rebuilding project. Markkanen’s new club is expected to finish at the bottom of the NBA next season. Of course, there are building blocks, as the team has coveted numerous first-round bookings, but success is sought in the long term.
Pekka Markkanen reminds that the deal can still turn into a good thing for his son.
– This could be a new and great opportunity for Lauri. A big role in the new team. However, Lauri is probably a force to be reckoned with in Utah, Pekka Markkanen states.
Pekka Markkanen reminds that Lauri Markkanen was in the same situation a year ago. That’s when Markkanen built a new start in Cleveland after four seasons in Chicago.
Before the start of the NBA season, Cleveland was pegged at the bottom of the league, but the young team surprised everyone and was locked in a playoff spot for a long time before falling out of the spring climax due to, among other things, injuries. Cleveland’s season finally ended in a playoff berth.
– Everyone said that it’s terrible in Cleveland and that the team is the worst in the series. Now we are in a somewhat similar situation. Let’s hope for the same reaction, that the union starts in Utah right away, Markkanen hopes.
Lauri Markkanen summed up his thoughts on Wednesday in Berlin, just before returning to Finland. A defection to Utah awaits soon.
– This summer was really fun, and it took me a lot forward. Training and playing with these guys gave a lot. You always have to get used to something new, but now I’m ready to develop more, Lauri Markkanen basically.
The NBA regular season starts on October 19 and Utah’s season the day after that.
Read also:
An important note from Lauri Markkase at the time of the stinging defeat: “We did something that none of us had done before”
The audience’s line: Lauri Markkanen is by far Finland’s brightest sports star – he clearly crushed even Iivo Niskanen in the vote
Spain deservedly won, but Susijengi got a historic success from the European Championship – these numbers tell of a bright future
Even the stars of Spain honored the legends of Susijeng with an elegant gesture – Petteri Koponen admitted that he was afraid of the future
Spain beat Susijeng in the EC quarter-finals – Finland had a dazzling opening half, then the reigning world champions showed their strength