The HBA-Märsky properly teased the reigning champion in the women’s basketball league semifinals.
The academy team of high school students, HBA-Märsky, was caught in a giant surprise in the semifinals of the Finnish Women’s Basketball League on Friday.
In the middle, the HBA led the decisive fifth semifinals against Kotka’s Game Bears.
However, the eagle team, chasing the fourth consecutive championship, rose past to an 81-64 victory.
The HBA had already shown its character in the past by rising from a 0-2 situation in the semi-finals.
– I’m proud of the players. I am pleased with how the girls did what we have been practicing today, HBA Märsky Coach Janne Hänninen tells Sport.
The Academy team suffered 18 losses from the Märsky accident, of which PeKa punished with 28 points.
– The opponent got too many other attempts. We lost too many balls and had to make hasty throws. Glory to your opponent, Hänninen times.
In the HBA, the best points were bagged Elina Aarnisalo (15) and Kati Ollilainen (14).
The HBA is a completely breeding team and consists practically of students from the Helsinki Mäkelänrinne Sports High School.
– The purpose of the activity is not the Finnish championship. Our purpose is to develop players, Hänninen emphasizes.
The games of the storm are still going on: for the first time in its history, the team is in the women’s basketball medal games. HBA-Märsky will play bronze medals against ToPo on Tuesday.
– Diligence has been a big theme. We have good athletes who train enough and with enough quality, it makes this possible. After all, girls like everyday life: to be together and practice, Hänninen explains the reasons for success.
Game Bears and Kouvottaret will start the final series on Monday. Three victories are needed for the championship.
Hänninen praises the play of the final duo and bronze opponent ToPo during the season.
– They have experienced and good American reinforcements, but there are quite a lot of good young players in the series as well as ours. It has come to the fore myself, Hänninen says about the current situation in the series.