Reigning world champion Spain was too tough for Finland, which played a wonderful tournament, and advanced to the semi-finals of the European Basketball Championship.
Lauri Markkanen was the king of the field again, but even that wasn’t enough for a place in the semi-finals. PDO
Finland and one of the superstars of the entire Games Lauri Markkanen father Pekka Markkanen watched the match in the stands of the Berlin Arena.
– Feeling quite empty at this point, he sighed after the defeat that came with numbers 90–100.
If the Finnish team was disappointed after the defeat and the dream shattered, so was father Markkanen.
– This morning I flew here, and expectations were high, he told Iltalehte by phone from Berlin.
– It felt like there was a chance to beat Spain with a good game for a long time. It wasn’t far, and of course it’s disappointing that we’ll be leaving here tomorrow. Reissu was now a torso, but I have to admit that the better team won.
The last time Finland beat Spain was in 1967 at their EC home games, where they finished sixth.
Now, for the first time in history, Finland reached the EC quarterfinals, i.e. the top eight, using the playoff system.
Pekka Markkanen, who played 129 international matches in his own career, represented Finland at the 1995 European Championships, when victories in the final tournament remained a dream.
– After all, the game has changed a lot since those days and moved on, but hunger grows when you eat, so you have to be a little disappointed here.
The wire melted
Finland’s lead was already 15 points at its best, and Susijengi was still ahead with 52–43 points at the break.
The handsome start faded into the third quarter. Spain won it by 15 points and neither driver gave up his position once he got there.
Pekka Markkanen was satisfied with his son’s EC performances. Lauri Olander
– We were quite narrow in the big end, though. We would have needed one more big guy under the basket, Pekka Markkanen noted.
However, he gave full credit Mikael Jantunen, Elias Valtonen and by Alexander Madsen for a good fight.
When I add the 213-centimeter Lauri Markkanen to the list, who once again was the superior star of the team, all Finnish players over two meters have already been mentioned.
– A big disappointment for us. We knew we could win and we gave everything. All credit to Spain. They did a good job in the second half, Lauri Markkanen told Yle after the game.
Welcome to the NBA
Markkanen scored 28, the highest score of the quarterfinal match, and grabbed 11 rebounds. In the quarter-final against Croatia, he scored 43 points, a record for Finland’s national matches.
A week ago, after the games had already started, Markkanen found out that he had been traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Utah Jazz.
With his top performances at the EC tournament, he seemed to send his greetings in the direction of the NBA.
– That’s why I’m satisfied that now surely all basketball people saw what else that man can do besides throw, Pekka Markkanen said.
As a big man, Lauri Markkanen is fast, skilled and very mobile, and he keeps possession of the ball in transit. Strength is an admirable amount accumulated in the body during five years in the NBA.
– Now we have to hope that in Utah they know how to take advantage of this and give Lauri a chance, Markkanen hopes for a freer role for his son.
– This is how it is believed that the season will at least start in Utah.
The legends ended
The new season, on the other hand, does not start for the legends of Suomi Koris anymore To Shawn Huff and Petteri Koposeas they ended their wonderful careers in this tournament.
– Feeling grateful. I’m damn proud of every dude and this tournament. This is one of the best national teams I’ve been a part of. Everyone is ready to put themselves in danger, a moved Koponen said in a Yle TV interview.
– Finnish basketball has a good future.
Retired captain Shawn Huff left the field feeling emotional. EPA / AOP
Petteri Koponen also ended his wonderful career at these games. EPA / AOP