Lauri Markkanen 12
Lauri Markkanen is why the MIP award exists
With the Finland and Utah Jazz superstar picking up a much deserved NBA Most Improved Player award, Emmet Ryan on the inevitable rise of Markkamania The timing felt like everything. On the eve of EuroBasket, Lauri Markkanen’s time in Cleveland was over and he was being shipped to Salt Lake City as the Utah Jazz […]
Markkanen the highlight of Europe’s stunning NBA All Star haul
While certainly not the most celebrated name among the five Europeans to make the NBA All Star game, given the context of where he is now in his career there’s no doubt that Lauri Markkanen’s selection is the most important amongst players from this continent There are many good and fun debates in European basketball […]
Markkanen’s maturity will be a big plus for Utah
Lauri Markkanen could have let his trade on the eve of EuroBasket 2022 be a distraction, instead he showed just how comfortable he is in his game no matter what is written on his jersey. Emmet Ryan on how the Finn’s displays are good new for Utah Jazz fans Given I’ve already posted a piece […]
The Susijengi story has only just begun
Finland’s exit from EuroBasket 2022 on Tuesday was the end of an era for two stalwarts but, Emmet Ryan writes, the beginning of a bright new future for hoops in Suomi. There was a different flavour to the disappointment that Finnish fans felt on Tuesday, a taste that they weren’t used to but one that […]
You can never count out Sergio Scariolo
Finland set all kinds of first half records against Spain but if you’re going to beat Sergio Scariolo, you need to outsmart him for the full 40. Emmet Ryan watched another brilliant sideline performance from the Spain coach as his side reached the semi-finals for the 11th straight time For Finland it was the biggest […]
The dream isn’t done
Finland have been nearly men of European basketball for decades. Now that they’ve made the breakthrough, they can’t let the emotion of the moment distract them against Spain, writes Emmet Ryan. As is the norm at EuroBasket, I posted some videos after Finland’s remarkable victory over Croatia to make the quarter finals of EuroBasket for […]
Preview: Spain vs Finland
The quarter finals of EuroBasket 2022 are here and the action gets under way on Tuesday as Finland look to keep the dream alive against perennial contenders Spain All games from now on are at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany When? 17.15 CEST, 16.15 BST, 11.15 EST, 08.15 PST How they got here Spain […]
Markkanen makes history as Finland reach the quarter finals
A magnificent Lauri Markkanen performance guided Finland to the last 8 of EuroBasket for the first time in 55 years. Emmet Ryan was in Berlin to take in Markkamania make history. Croatia had taunted the basketball gods before this game. By deciding not to try for the two seed, they appeared smart by avoiding Slovenia […]
Preview: Finland vs Croatia
The last 16 of EuroBasket 2022 is here and Sunday sees Finland hoping to ride the wave of Markkamania to victory over Croatia All games from now on are at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany When? 14.45 CEST, 13.45 BST, 08.45 EST, 05.45 PST How they got here Finland (3-2) suffered a defeat that […]
EuroBasket GotD – Serbia vs Finland
Every day throughout the group phase of EuroBasket 2022, we’ll select our game of the day that is a must-watch for all basketball fans. For Day 5, it’s our first look at two teams with different needs as Serbia take on Finland The Game Serbia vs Finland, 5 September, Group D Where? O2 Arena, Prague, […]
Doncic, Drinking, Double duty, and the Dubs – An Istanbul tale
With little attention to chronological order, Emmet Ryan looks back on the stories that defined EuroBasket and the life around the tournament. From an emotional Gabe Olaseni through the dominance of Luka Doncic, and whatever else he could think of in between, BiE’s editor looks back on the 2017 competition and how he eventually found […]
Ruthless Italy put a halt to Markkamania
Italy rained threes early and stamped on Finland’s neck to book their place in the quarter finals in a performance that was far more comprehensive than the final scoreline suggests. Emmet Ryan on how Nik Melli made life miserable for Lauri Markkanen as Italy played a grown up game to progress It wasn’t Helsinki but […]