Susijengi 14
Germany run wild to reach EuroBasket final
Finland had a plan for Germany. It involved a whole lot of Lauri Markkanen and some lock down D. The latter proved in vain as Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner ran wild, with Germany’s ferocious fast break guiding them to the EuroBasket 2025 title game. Emmet Ryan on an impressive display in Riga. Look at […]
Susijengi can’t get lost in the moment
Finland will have a near home crowd behind them in Riga on Friday. Lauri Markkanen, Mikael Jantunen, Sasu Salin, Miikka Muurinen, and more have made history. As underdogs against Germany, they should be playing with house money. Emmet Ryan on how they can’t allow the occasion to overcome them. Nobody put it better than Lauri […]
Susijengi slay Georgia to make the medal rounds
This was meant to be a tight battle between two miracle teams. Instead, the Susijengi decided to be a Cinderella with a sledge hammer. Then Georgia remembered who they were and gave Finland a ferocious fight. A stunning Sandro Mamukelashvili led comeback wasn’t enough as Lauri Markkanen and company advanced to the medal round. Emmet […]
Two Cinderella stories but only one slipper
Lauri Markkanen’s legend with Finland grew on Saturday as the Susijengi downed Serbia. Less than a day later, Georgia made history of their own as Toko Shengelia and Sandro Mamukelashvili combined to stun France. Someone will make their first semi-final ever at EuroBasket 2025. The alternative is the clock striking midnight. Well isn’t this just […]
Lithuania outsmarts Finland as Jonas Valanciunas steps back
Jonas Valanciunas caught everyone off guard by taking a step back for Lithuania at EuroBasket 2025. A tactical masterstroke by Rimas Kurtinaitis was too much for Lauri Markkanen and Finland to overcome. It was a simple plan that caught everyone napping. Of course Rimas Kurtinaitis, a coach with about as broad a range of experience […]
Finland thrive as Lauri Markkanen shifts to defensive role
Finland dialled down Lauri Markkanen’s offensive role as they delivered a defensively stout display to see off Montenegro. The Utah Jazz man wasn’t the only person on the minds of those in Tampere for EuroBasket 2025. Emmet Ryan writes that Miikka Muurinen has already gained exalted status amongst the Susijengi. On the face of things, […]
Finland’s Defense Needs Miikka Muurinen to Ease Markkanen Load
Finland moved to 2-0 at EuroBasket 2025 with victory over Great Britain but there’s a glaring problem for the Susijengi. The Finnish D simply hasn’t been up to the level required through the first two games. Emmet Ryan sees a solution of sorts, relying less on Lauri Markkanen and more on Miikka Muurinen. Considering Finland […]
Lauri Markkanen powers Finland past Sweden in EuroBasket 2025 thriller
Those of a nervous disposition wouldn’t have been able to handle the Nokia Arena on Tuesday night. Lauri Markkanen and Finland were pushed to the absolute limit by Sweden in EuroBasket 2025 Not for the first time, Lauri Markkanen was playing a home game in EuroBasket. The difference between EuroBasket 2017 and EuroBasket 2025 was […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
VIDEO: Shawn Huff on Finland’s resilience to bounce backl
Shawn Huff tells the media how Finland bounced back from their heavy loss to the USA to beat Ukraine at the FIBA World Cup of Basketball.