The Finnish men’s national basketball team started strongly against Serbia away from home, but had to bow out at the end. Head coach Lassi Tuovi opened up to about the decisive differences between the teams.
The Finnish men’s national basketball team fought for a long time to win against World Cup silver medalist Serbia in the opening of the European Championship qualifiers. However, Serbia rushed to a clear victory in the final period with 77–61 (17–20, 19–14, 22–17, 19–10).
Finland still led by nine points halfway through the third period and kept up well with Serbia in Belgrade.
– We played great. Then they found one more gear. Small mistakes and especially losing the ball gave the opportunity to turn the game around. We take the first half and big pieces of the second half with us in the backpack. This was one of the toughest places to play basketball. That’s how much we were short of today, Finland’s head coach Lassi Tuovi described to Urheilu by phone.
Finland lost the ball 18 times in the match. Serbia took 16 offensive rebounds in the same match. The accuracy of Finland’s three-point shots also remained low. Finland managed 23.3 percent (7/30) from behind the arc.
– After all, it was difficult for us to score, but we had a world-class defense in front of us. We got some good shots, but just didn’t fall. It just tells about that defense, Tuovi thought.
Tuovi saw hardness as the most tangible difference between Serbia and Finland.
– Serbia scored 15 points off our turnovers and offensive rebounds. When they score 30 points from those two things, it is difficult to beat Serbia at home, Tuovi described.
The starting five is brilliant
Serbia had six players from last fall’s World Cup silver medal team in the lineup.
Finland’s starting five Edon Maxhuni, Sasu Salin, Elias Valtonen, Mikael Jantunen and Alexander Madsen was convincing though. According to the bench players, the level did not remain as brilliant.
– We have to remember that this starting five has played together the most. They have been together for years. New players are definitely looking for a rhythm. We need to find working fives and combinations. This game gave good data for that, Tuovi said.
Finland’s best scorer was Mikael Jantunen with 11 points. Serbia was the best Luka Mitrovic with 19 points.
Finland already has a place for the 2025 European Championships, as it is one of the group hosts. However, points for the world ranking are available in the EC qualifiers.
Prize baskets are distributed based on the world ranking. Simply put, the better you play in the EC qualifiers, the better the starting group can make it to the games.
A sure race place was not seen in Finland’s matches on Friday against the big favourites.
– I’m quite proud that we didn’t talk about it or think about it. Everyone put their bodies on the line and fought for the win. We are quite proud to wear the Suomi shirt, Tuovi described the attitude towards the qualifying games.
Next, I met the familiar Danish star
On Monday, Susijengi plays at home against Denmark. Denmark beat Georgia at home in the opening game of the qualifiers. Denmark’s star player is well known to head coach Tuov. Gabriel “Iffe†Lundberg plays for Virtus Bologna, where Tuovi is the first assistant coach.
– He is a leading player. He takes more friends on his backpack when he starts walking. Denmark is certainly an interesting challenge for us, Tuovi estimates.
This week, there have also been some nasty injury news from Susijeng. OIivier Nkamhoua underwent wrist surgery in the US. That was the end of his university years and at the same time his university career.
Henri Kantonen on the other hand, his Lithuanian club Mazeikiai was injured according to the release while training in the national team. According to Mazeikiai, Kantonen will have knee surgery and will be sidelined for the rest of the season.
The injuries are unfortunate considering that Susijengi will miss the Olympic qualifiers at the beginning of July. Tuovi said that he is focusing on the players who are here now.
– The injuries are unfortunate. Above all, if there are any injuries, I hope to see them on the field as soon as possible, because we have a great year coming up. Cheers to everyone, Tuovi formulated.