OKINAWA. Susijengi got its first victory in the World Cup when Finland defeated Cape Verde with a score of 100-77.
One of the topics was when Cape Verde Betinho Gomes pushed Finland Miro Little to the surface of the field at the end of the opening period. Lauri Markkanen came to Little’s defense and did not back down in the skirmish. Both Gomes and Markkanen were given a technical foul for the situation.
– It looked like you pushed Miro to the ground. We keep half in the team, nothing bigger than that. In that way, of course, it made it difficult that you had to be careful with a technical error after that, Markkanen said.
– It was agreed with the opponent that there was nothing personal. He would have certainly done the same against his own teammate. Just basic stuff.
Gomes himself did not go to comment on the situation to Urheilu, but focused on praising the Finnish couple despite the doubts.
– Markkanen is a good player. He is not easy to defend. It looked like he was very motivated for this game, Gomes summed up.
Miro Little praised Markkas about the situation.
– There are a lot of emotions in the game. It belongs in basketball. Sometimes emotions rise more to the surface. Thanks to Lauri. Know that he is there to help right away. The whole team is behind, Little incense.
Captain Sasu Salini according to Markkanen acted correctly in the situation.
– It’s hard to say what happened. I was changing. Miro said he tripped a bit. But the Cape Verdean did lend a hand in that, Salin said.
Real Madrid superstar in tongs and hot
Finland’s head coach Lassi Tuovi saw “good pack leader behavior” from Markkanes in a stormy situation. At the same time, he highlighted the key aspects of Susijeng’s game: 33 assists leading to the basket and the Cape Verdean superstar playing for Real Madrid By Edy Tavares blackout.
– Throughout, it was admirable how they put their bodies against Tavares. Anyone who went to the end line took hits. That’s when the rally started, Tuovi fumed.
Among other things, Susigengi heavily doubled Tavares and thus caused losses and other problems for Cape Verde. The 221-centimeter giant told after the game how he has gotten used to doubling already in this World Cup and earlier in the African Championship.
Tavares said that he is trying to become an even better passer so that he can distribute the ball to his teammates in better places.
Tavares, who led Real Madrid to victory in the Euroleague last spring and was awarded as the best player of the final tournament, was often angry with the referees during the match.
– They don’t blow mistakes against me. Sometimes they give me. It is what it is. Ever since I’ve been playing basketball. I won’t stop complaining though. I’m going to keep saying, look at these,” said Tavares, who only started playing basketball when he was 17.
Sasu Salin, who played with Tavares eight years ago in Gran Canaria, stated that Tavares gets frustrated easily.
– Of course I understand that a little. It’s hard to take the ball away from him when Edy takes it up like that. We certainly hit a bit on the hands. Still, you can’t blow the whistle on everything. We were aggressive as we should have been, Salin said.
Lauri Markkasen has the best striking ability so far
Finnish superstar Lauri Markkanen on the other hand bagged 34 points. Markkanen was able to finish the baskets despite the mistakes made by Cape Verde’s players and was able to air several times in a fun way.
Markkanen felt that his body felt the best in the match so far in the entire WC tournament.
He saw that his body felt the best in the match so far in the whole tournament.
– When I got the advantage, I was able to keep it and use my body. I wasn’t in such sharp shape when I started driving to the basket. Of course, it made me feel good. It feels good to catch up with the rhythm, although there is still room for improvement, Markkanen said.
According to Markkanen, the day off was spent in a lighter mood. Finland had, among other things, held throwing competitions, watched videos and raised team spirit.
– There were different team competitions. No fireball competitions. The basket was played. We got the reps in through the throwing competitions, Markkanen opened the half-day celebration.
Head coach Tuovi said that Finland also managed to rhythm Markkanen’s playing minutes better.
– The essential thing (in scaring Lauri) was that we found a good rhythm for Lauri. Today it worked best in the way that Lauri had shorter stints, Tuovi described.
Tavares also shared recognition with Markkanen after the match.
– Markkanen is one of the best European players in the NBA. Finland has a star for a long time, Tavares decided.
Finland will face Venezuela in its last World Cup game on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Finland is fighting for an Olympic qualification place in the match.