Basketball | Basketball has given direction to almost all of Petteri Koponen’s life: “It’s a little scary or exciting what comes next”

One an era in Finnish basketball ends in Berlin, when Petteri Koponen Susijeng’s playing career is over after the European Championship playoffs.

Finland will face Croatia in the quarterfinals on Sunday afternoon. A win would open the gates to the quarterfinals and the top eight, a loss would end the competition.

“Of course, Croatia is the early favorite for that game. They’ve got three more players than when we played against them in the World Cup qualifiers,” says Koponen.

He refers to Anadolu Efes of the Turkish Super League to Krunoslav Simonof Alba Berlin of the German Bundesliga to Jaleen Smith and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns to Dario Šarić.

“They are tough players, but I see that we have a chance to win if we play well. It requires that we get the game going and stop Croatia.”

“Croatia has a lot of talent in their team. We have to play well at both ends of the field,” Koponen adds.

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“Of course, Croatia is the pre-favorite for that game.”

34 years old Koponen has received the appreciation he deserves from Susijeng’s supporters in his last prize competitions. The supporters shouted him onto the pitch at the end of the Holland game.

The head coach Lassi Tuovi had asked Kopose earlier if he was going to play. There was no compulsion to do so when the game had already been decided in Finland’s favor. However, Koponen could not spare himself when the commotion reached the stands.

“I felt that I had to go now. Yes, it was a great moment and I got emotional too. Concretely, you think that we are going to the last meters here, and there is not much of our own basketball career left,” he says.

At the back, Koponen can blink gratefully. Basketball has given direction to almost his entire life and influenced both Koponen’s and his family’s everyday life.

“It has taken us around the world and been a big part of our lives,” says Koponen, who played in Europe’s toughest leagues in Italy, Russia, Spain and Germany between 2008 and 2021.

“It’s a bit scary or exciting what will come after that, when there are no longer the same requirements and obligations as with basketball. Then you have more time for other things and in a way you wait for half of your life.”

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“Concretely, you understand that we are going to the last meters here, and there is not much of our own basketball career left.”

Finland Koponen, one of the brightest stars in basketball history, has seen Susijeng’s growth as a phenomenon that thousands of Finns travel around Europe to follow.

“When I joined the national team, we beat Serbia [Vantaan] In the Energia arena, and there were 1,500 people in the stands”, Koponen compares.

“Now we’re going to a prestigious competition abroad, and there will be huge crowds of fans there. It’s incredible to see where the Suomi team is going and how the fans live with us. It’s great and has certainly helped us in all the competitions.”

The warm relationship between the players and supporters of the national team can also be seen outside the parquet. The team has traditionally met its supporters in value matches in the so-called Wolf’s Den.

Koponen describes the event as great and the common feeling palpable.

“When you come to the stage from the back and the fans are screaming, it’s exciting. Even though I knew what to expect myself, it does surprise me how sweet it is.”

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“It’s incredible to see where the Suomi team is going and how the fans live with us.”

Wolf gang claimed their place in the playoffs as the second in their initial group played in Prague. Koponen considers the performance good and adds that Finland showed mental strength after the defeat in Israel.

“Let’s try to make history and get to the top eight,” he says of the goal for Sunday’s match against Croatia.

What kind of team is the Susijengi of these games compared to your previous experiences?

“We have more players who are big and suitable for modern basketball, who move well, are athletic and can play several positions. That’s where basketball is going, though. Even big players can throw from a distance, move well and can handle the ball,” Koponen answers.

He singles out the biggest star of the national team Lauri Markkanen mixed by Alexander Madsen, Mikael Jantunen and Elias Valtonen.

“The game has changed a lot in my time too, so it’s nice that we also have players like that.”

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“We have more players who are big and suitable for modern basketball, who move well, are athletic and can play several positions.”

of the European Championships Finland is a mixture of experience and youth. In addition to the conkars, there are no less than eight first-timers of the prestigious competitions, whose adaptation has been easy.

“For a long time, we have had the system in the national teams that the junior national teams play with the same game system, and our first-timers have also played this way for a long time. Yes, they know the main rules in both defense and attack.”

Koponen reminds that the players participating in the games for the first time have previously gained experience in, for example, World Cup qualifiers. In the fall, Finland secured its place in next year’s games in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

“Our game developed and progressed during the qualifiers. It’s great to think that Finland will play in the World Cup next year. It brings continuity and is a great reward for sacrifice and commitment for these players,” says Koponen.

Are you attracted to the World Cup?

“Of course it would be tempting, you can’t deny it, but the body simply won’t give in. Yes, my own games will end after this tournament. I will definitely go to the World Cup in some other role or as a tourist, but as a player you can’t go there,” Koponen replies.

Basketball European Championship quarter-final match between Finland and Croatia on Sunday, September 11 at 3:45 p.m. The match can be seen live on TV2, Yle Areena, Viaplay and the V Sport+ Suomi channel.