Finland’s national basketball team surprised the fifth World Cup winner Latvia 90-84 in Tampere.
The match is Susijeng’s general practice for the Olympic qualifiers at the beginning of July, where Finland and Latvia are fighting for a place in the summer Olympics in Paris.
Alexander Madsen and Olivier Nkamhoua collected a total of 38 points. Miro Little had a strong pull in the backfield. Nkamhoua played his first match after playing for many months after wrist surgery.
The value of Finland’s victory is increased by the fact that Latvia fell practically without the three best Susijeng players. Lauri Markkanen and spared their legs today Sasu Salin were out of the lineup, Mikael Jantunen on the other hand, had to be sidelined in the second period due to a bump.
Coach Lassi Tuovi believes that Jantunen will be in line when Finland starts the Olympic qualification next Tuesday by facing the Bahamas in Valencia. The winner of the six-nation tournament in Valencia gets a place in the Olympic tournament in Paris.
LAND COMPETITION, TAMPERE:
Finland – Latvia 90-84 (42-38)
(28-21, 14-17, 27-16, 21-30)
Nkamhoua 21/4
Madsen 17/5/4s 2bl, 2st
Little 13/2/4s
Up to 12/-/6s
Valtonen 9/7/2s
Grandison 7/3/5s 2pcs
Raitanen 4/3
Gustavson 3/2/2s
Jantunen 2/3
Murinen 2
The story will be completed later.