Finland, which had already secured its spot in the World Cup, beat Israel 97–95 after overtime.
After overtime, Finland beat Israel with 97–95 points in the penultimate match of the Men’s Basketball World Cup qualifier in Tel Aviv. Finland’s best scorer had scored 18 points Sasu Salin.
Finland had already secured a place in the World Championships. Israel has already lost its chance to the Games, but it entered the game more intensively than Finland.
Israel took a 14–5 lead at the beginning with quick attacks and attacking right at the Finnish basket. In defense, Israel switched guards in screens and managed to dull the edge of Finland’s attacks.
After the opening quarter, Israel led 28–13. In the second quarter, Finland was able to restrain Israel’s pace and with a 10-0 win pulled the difference to less than ten points. At halftime, Israel led 46–35.
At the beginning of the second half, Finland changed its leader Ilari Seppälän the starting five Edon Maxhunin instead, but the beginning of the half was again difficult for Finland. Israel went Bar Timor with a three-pointer for a 57–41 lead in less than four minutes.
Having played his first World Cup qualifying game Max Bessel too five quick points and consecutive triples by Maxhun brought Finland to 70-60 after the third quarter.
Jantunen’s free throw for overtime
Salin’s three-pointer brought Finland to 72–69 and forced Israel into overtime with 6:32 minutes left in the game. A good minute later Remu Raitanen the third leveled the situation at 75–75.
Finland got a final point in a losing position (83–82) with 2.3 seconds left. of Israel Netanel Artzi fell down Mikael Jantunen on the leg and the referees whistled an unsportsmanlike foul after video review. Jantunen made it 83-83 with his first free throw, but missed the second.
After the overtime, Finland couldn’t get a throw in and the game went to overtime. Israel took a five-point lead, but Seppälä’s two triples gave Finland a 91-92 lead.
After Israel’s technical foul, Seppälä and Maxhuni gave Finland a 91-95 lead with free throws with 37.9 seconds left. Mikael Jantunen missed two free throws with six seconds left in the game, but Timor’s last-minute three missed, luckily for Finland.