Australia’s Joe Ingles loaded heavy criticism on the organizers of the World Cup in Japan. He wants to see a change in the arena floor before the next games.
On the website and the app, you can find all the highlights from Susijengi and Lauri Markkanen’s excerpts from the World Championships.
OKINAWA.
The Finnish men’s national basketball team returned to the World Cup after a nine-year hiatus and suffered a decisive defeat to Australia with a score of 72–98.
One of the biggest talking points was the arena’s slippery floor. Several players slipped on the field, including the Finnish star Lauri Markkanen.
Australian hero Joe Ingles the situation turned out to be hotter than a hot hook more than once. He also went to open for an official of the international basketball federation FIBA during the second period.
When Urheilu met Ingles in the arena of Okinawa, the 35-year-old player continued his harsh criticism.
– The floor is rough. You saw how Markkanen slipped three times during one possession. I fell a couple of times. I don’t know if it was about the sticker ads. However, this matter needs to be taken care of. In tournaments of this level, no one can get hurt because of a sticker, Ingles teased.
Ingles also had acquaintances in the Finnish national team, as he played for Susijeng’s coaching team Teemu Rannikon with at the end of the first decade of the 2000s the Spanish premier league in Granada.
Rannikko was also responsible for the Australian scouting of the Finnish national team.
– I love him. We have been in contact with him a little since we played together. I didn’t know that he is now with the Finnish national team. Now that we’ve played with him, we can talk properly, Ingles smiled.
Do you now have bragging rights?
– I always have bragging rights, Ingles exclaimed.
However, the Australian praised Susijeng profusely. Against the reigning Olympic bronze medalist, Finland was on the field for the first 17 minutes before Australia went into overdrive.
– Finland is a good team. We have watched a lot of videos about the European Championships. They have an insane amount of talent. Markkanen is the biggest star and we invested a lot in his defense. Finland came into the game well and threw well. We controlled the game in the second half and played more the way we wanted to, Ingles said.
In the Finnish camp, people were much calmer about the condition of the field. Lauri Markkanen reminded that the situation is the same for both teams.
– FIBA courts (in national team basketball) have areas that may be more slippery than others. It is okay. You also have to learn these fields during the tournament and see where you shouldn’t be, says Markkanen.
What makes FIBA courts wet?
– I do not know. There are places that are not even wet, Markkanen described.
The head coach Lassi Tuovin according to the beginning of value competition tournaments, there is always something to complain about.
– Usually at the beginning of the tournament there are complaints about the floor, the lights or the ball. I hope there were no injuries though. The tournament format always includes surprises, but of course safety comes first, Tuovi formulated.
Finland continues its World Cup tournament on Sunday against the host team Japan at 15:30.