By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Summer started for Finland and New Zealand, as the two national teams played their first friendly game ahead of participating in this year’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, dreaming of Paris 2024.
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In an equal and balanced encounter from the very beginning to the last seconds, the home side managed to sneak out with a clutch three-pointer from Sasu Salin at the buzzer, winning 73-70. It was the only converted three out of seven attempts for the experienced guard.
Mikael Jantunen was the clear MVP for the Finnish national team, powering up a dominant double-double of 20 points and 16 rebounds. Elias Valtonen and Alexander Madsen followed by combining for 25 points.
New Zealand, which showed glimpses of good basketball but couldn’t get higher than 22nd in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, exited Finland with a defeat. Corey Webster ended with an 18-point losing effort.
Lassi Tuovi’s team is set to play in the 2024 FIBA OQT in Valencia, facing the dangerous Bahamas and Poland in Group B. New Zealand, instead, will travel to Greece to go up against Slovenia and Croatia as clear underdogs in Group A.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2023 FIBA World Cup