Wolf gang to a cinematic away victory in Israel

Sasu Salin scored 18 points against Israel. PDO

The Finnish national basketball team had a rough start to their World Cup qualifying match in Tel Aviv, Israel, but managed to turn the game in their favor with big successes in the last moments.

Susijengi lost the opening set 28–12 and was still down 70–60 in the fourth. Alex Murphy mixed Sasu Salin found the gear shift in time and helped bring Finland up to par.

Mikael Jantunen got into a bad spot at the end of regular time when he stood at the free throw line while Finland was trailing by a point. The first shot sank in the basket, but the second one did not.

The game went into overtime with a score of 83-83, where the greatest hero was the one who scored 15 points in the match Ilari Seppälä. At the club level, Seppälä, who plays in the second level of France, bagged two consecutive three-pointers before the start of the last minute of the game, and on top of that, the decisive three free throws.

Israel got within two points at the end, but narrowly lost 95–97.

Played in the NBA last night Lauri Markkanen followed the national team’s performances and praised Seppälä after the game.

Salin, who bagged the most points (18) in the Finnish team, commented in the Basketball Association’s press release that the victory came out like a movie again, i.e. through difficulties.

– A terrible start and then a battle victory. We like these cinematic games. Let’s get a little excited and the final climax will be such that Susijengi wins. The whole team had to show that they know how to play. And that Ilar has a pretty big backpack, because it made us all fit in there.

Susigengi returns home on Saturday to prepare for the final game of the group. Having secured their place in the World Cup, Finland will have enough to contribute in Monday’s game in Germany, as the teams are competing for the group win and ranking points that facilitate the next group draw.

Finland and Germany play in Espoo’s Metro Arena.