Finland will next face Bulgaria in the European Championship qualifiers on Sunday, who beat Hungary 83–68 in their own qualifying match on Thursday.
SpongeBob Forsberg,
Roope Visuri
21:13•Updated 21:19
The Finnish women’s national basketball team lost to Slovenia 62–84 in the EC qualifying match played in Helsinki.
The opening half of the match went evenly, and Slovenia went into the break with a 36–32 lead. In the third quarter, Slovenia jumped out to a 14-point lead, and Finland was no longer able to get within striking distance.
Slovenia was sharper in rebounds, which they took 56-34. Slovenia got offensive rebounds already in the opening half, but Finland was able to keep the game even.
– We tried to fix it in the second half, because we were aware of the challenge. In the second period, that nightmare came true and Slovenia scored a lot of points from offensive rebounds, Finland’s head coach Ilkka Palviainen told.
In the summer, the Yankees’ confirmation received Slovenian citizenship Jessica Shepard had 29 points and 23 rebounds.
– He was simply too much for us. They tried to think of and practice quite a few methods for him. However, quite a lot of our players still lack the experience of a player of that level, how good a player he is. It is certainly a valuable lesson, Palviainen said.
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Finland’s best scorer was Awak Kuierwho bagged 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
– Offensive rebounds ate up our motivation a bit. We play really fast basketball. When they got new companies, it really tired us out, Kuier said.
Finland’s shooting game was sticky, especially when it came to three-point shots. Their success rate was 18.75. Kuier estimates that Finland needs more time together in order to improve the accuracy of the throwing game.
– We didn’t have much time to train. Knowing how everyone can throw and what would be the best throw for everyone… I feel like it’s still coming. Hopefully for the next game against Bulgaria we will be much more prepared.
Finland’s task to reach the European Championships was made more difficult due to the defeat. Only the first places in the qualifying groups and the four best from the second place in the group advance to the European Championships. There are a total of nine qualifying groups. The four race organizers have a secure place.
Finland will next face Bulgaria in the European Championship qualifier on Sunday, who beat Hungary 83–68 in their own qualifying match on Thursday.
After three rounds of matches, Slovenia and Hungary are at the top of the group with five points. Bulgaria and Finland have four surfaces.
– What I am looking forward to the most is that we can get better from this. This left a lot to be desired. I know I’m not the only one who feels this and believes that we will come to Sunday’s fight quite irritated, says Ilkka Palviainen.
– Today’s defeat was big in the sense that it poses additional challenges again, but national team basketball is very surprising. Things can turn upside down pretty quickly, says Palviainen.
In February, there are two more away matches, one against the group’s pre-favorite Hungary and one against Slovenia.