A bone for Spain: Finland, rival in the semi-finals of the Pre-Olympic after a crazy match
Spain will play its pre-Olympic semi-final duel with an old well-known and tough contender of the Fountain of San Luis in Valencia. ‘La Familia’, who did his homework in both matches of ‘back-to-back‘(which the national coach hates so much Sergio Scariolo), will face Finland on Saturday, June 6 (schedule yet to be confirmed) looking for a place in the final. Bahamas or Lebanon will wait there.
Finland beat Poland in a crazy and evenly matched ‘mata-mata’. It seemed impossible due to the distances at the beginning of the second half (61-48, 15′), but the ‘Suomi’, and their tireless fans deployed in Valencia, held on to the game in an incredible way. Madsen, a MoraBanc Andorra insider, hit three triples and captured the offensive rebound that would make everything explode. He earned free throws, put Finland ahead, and they wouldn’t let go of their prey on the final possession. Slaughter and Ponitka failed, and the ‘Suomi’ cross paths again, as in the 2022 EuroBasket, on the path of Spain.
a great battle
The battle was defined by equality. At the start, Ponitka’s points (7 in the first quarter) indicated the Polish attempt, but Finland pulled out their team to reduce the gap (24-24, 10′). It was difficult for him to maintain it, and the three-pointers from Milicic and Sochan began to open a path that certified Slaughter and, again, the interior NBA with more external volume just before the break (47-38, 20′).
He did not waste that acceleration. thoughts, more than inspired after passing through the locker room, monopolized the attacks and each charge against the ‘suomi’ paint resulted in damage. AND Slaughter, a volcanic shooter, put the finishing touch by opening important margins (62-48, 25′). Finland, which is impossible to condemn, fought to be within the 10 difference, as a form of illusion. Key to having a match even though it didn’t seem like it.
A crazy ending
It is in their DNA that they are still there. And that was the tone until the end. Sochan left a tremendous mate, but Madsen -three triples- and Jantunen hit Finland from outside (80-78, 35′). From being in the UVI to three triples from the MoraBanc Andorra giant that unleashed his party. Nkamhoua gave him even more momentum with a dunk after adding to an unsportsmanlike performance by Ponitka and falling within one with two minutes on the clock.
That equality reached the final minute. Maxhuni, with a triple because I’m worth it, put Finland one up, but Girl responded under the board to return to the minimum advantage in the last 60 seconds of the game (88-87. 39′). Finland would still have more and Madsen, the final hero, grabbed a rebound for free throws that left the ‘Suomi’ in control before the last possession of the game.
They wouldn’t let him go anymore. Slaughter got a favorable shot from mid-range, but left it in the hoop. Ponitka, without really knowing where, got the offensive rebound. But in the tangle of arms that ball was lost. Finland was working a tremendous miracle.
Finland, hard bone
It did not seem predictable, but Finland will be Spain’s rival. In addition to his tough character by definition, he can pose problems if the Spanish defense suffers a jam under the boards. Precedents are not of much use, since the great EuroBasket game (100-90) had Lauri Markkanen, All-Star, on the Finnish side. This Finland is different.
Los ‘Lobos‘They haven’t been to the Games since Tokyo 1964, and their hunger is through the roof. For Spain, dealing with the character of the Madsen, Salin o Maxhuni will be key. Although, considering pure and simple talent, he is perhaps the most favorable rival for a battle for the Pre-Olympic final.
In the end, Bahamas could wait if it resolves Lebanon’s commitment. Those from the Middle East gave the bell in La Fonteta by defeating Angola (70-74) in a strange, exciting match in which Omari Spellman, the former NBA player whom the league did not want due to weight problems, dominated with 22 points and 13 rebounds.
