15.08.2011

Finland Go Inside To Dominate Portugal

Finland are within touching distance of a place at the EuroBasket after beating Portugal on Monday for their second win in as many games in the Additional Qualifying Round.

Tuukka Kotti was one of the keys in Finland's victory over Portugal

The Finns followed up their gritty road triumph at Hungary with a 68-56 victory over the Portuguese.

Dominating on the inside, Finland ended up scoring 40 of their 68 points in the paint compared to just 16 for Portugal - a team that isn't accustomed to being outmuscled.

Trailing 17-15 early in the second quarter, Henrik Dettmann's team went on a 10-1 run to move in front for good.

Teemu Rannikko, who was playing his 100th game for Finland's national team, sparked the Finns in their game-changing, second-quarter run when he popped a three-pointer.

It proved to be the only offensive highlight for Rannikko, who finished just one of seven from the floor and ended up with six points and four assists.

When it was over, Shawn Huff and Tuukka Kotti stood as Finland's leading scorers with 16 points apiece.

Portugal's biggest problem was their inability to take advantage of free-throw opportunities.

They sank just 16 of 28 at the stripe for a very poor 57.1%.

Finland also struggled at the line, making just nine of 16 (56.3%).

Inside the arc, the Finns were 22 of 39 compared to 11 of 33 for Portugal.

The next game in the AQR is on Thursday when Hungary host the Portuguese.

15.08.2011

Quotes Finland vs. Portugal

Mario Palma, Portugal head coach:

"Finland's defense was very strong. We didn't play well - we missed a lot of shots near the basket, especially in the first half, and made some mistakes in defense also. Congratulations to Finland. They are a very good team but they surprised us in a way. Tuukka Kotti and Shawn Huff scored more points than we expected them to be able to score, but that's life. Now we just have to move on from today's game.  Our next game is very important. We already beat Hungary at home and if we beat them again, that means both we and Finland are going to be qualified. If not, then the last game against Finland in Coimbra will be even more important. Let's see if he can play their kind of defense at home."

Paulo Cunha, Portugal player:

"It was a very tough, physical game, but if you want to go to EuroBasket, that's how you have to play. Everyone has to fight. We could have beaten them but we missed a lot of easy shots; including me, I missed some open lay-ups which is bad for me as a veteran player. We want to win the next two games and we have a good enough team to do that."

Shawn Huff, player (Finland):

"Our big rotation made it possible for us that our defensive intensity remained tough the whole game. These games are won on the defensive end,  we don't need to worry about offense, those shots will eventually start to drop. Our job isn't finished; we have to focus on the home game against Hungary now. We haven't won anything yet. It was thrilling to play in front of such a big audience. I can't remember the last time I played in Finland while this kind of big crowd was watching. I played aggressively like the coach said but you have to remember we have such a good player material, that different players are able to seal the game on any given night. I made my shots tonight, but in the next game, someone else will stand tall."

Sasu Salin, Finland player:

"The game was different than the one against Hungary. Portugal didn't play an up-tempo game, but then again, Portugal played a more experienced, more controlled basketball. Two wins in two games is a good result, but we still have games to play before anything is certain."

Henrik Dettmann, Finland coach:

"It's all business: we focused today on this game and in a day or two, we are going to focus on the game against Hungary. We play one game at a time and then start to think about EuroBasket. It was a team victory, as everybody could see. Shawn Huff, Sasu Salin and Tuukka Kotti were the players who embodied our team spirit tonight. But then again, each and every one of our players could be sitting here in the press conference, talking to the media. This fight, this defense, all the loose balls we scraped from the floor... it all begins from our defense. If someone is willing to listen, I could talk about the philosophy of the game all night long."