Petteri Dish

by Dave on Aug 14, 2007 12:15 AM PDT in News

Blazersedge has a friend in Finland! Jake writes with a recap of Petteri Koponen's performance on the Finnish National team. His source is this article. For most of us it will be NSFW (which in this case means "No Speak Finnish Words"). However Jake has graciously translated and promises to do more as the games progress. Here's his work:

On Sunday Finnish national team beat FIBA's (Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur) currently 12th ranked New Zealand and late on Monday evening was Great Britains turn to lose to Finns. Finland beat the Brits by 80-63 (41-32) in the game played in Croatia.

The Great Britain game followed the same routine as the victorious New Zealand game. Finland was left behind early in the game but found quickly the demanded aggressiviness to team's defence and rhytm to shooting game.

Finns were down after first quarter by 22 to 12 but the second quarter was triumph for blue and whites (that's us...). When the halftime came the Finnish team had hit three pointers seven out of ten and so Team Finland led by 41-32.

- The Brits had fresh feet and they could harm us early in the game but later on they just fell off. In the fourth quarter they made 22 points but the game was already over, told Pekka Salminen, the assistant coach of Finnish national team.

Finland led the game before the last quarter safely 57 to 41.

- Our offence was at the times beautiful to watch. We had patience to find the best shot with good passes. When we had good looks, so our shooting game was also good.

Koponen praised

Finland's Shawn Huff (22 points against New Zealand, currently in Valparaiso College) teased New Zealand with his new international career high and carried on with another good performance. He shot only once off the target from the downtown and collected 17 points in the game.

Team Finland's dynamo was Petteri Koponen, who was drafted on the first round earlier in the summer. Only 19 years old Koponen commanded Finland's game and made 19 points in the game. Jukka Matinen scored 11 points for the Finns.

-Our three best scorers was today the three best players in the game. Especially young man Koponen was tremendous today and played mature basketball. He did the right choices throughout the game. Shawn hit his shots and was great in defence as he normally is. Matinen was shining in the defence and Sami Lehtoranta appeared positively, Salminen appraised.

After last weeks two Czech Republic defeats Team Finland's defence seems to have found the aggressiveness level that the coaching team wants to see. Team Finland is denying the passing lanes and help defence seems to be working.

- Our game is not ready but we are going to the right direction. On Tuesday we are trying to beat Croatia. Then we're going to finish our patterns for EuroBasket qualifications, said Salminen

The tournament in Croatia is the preparing phase for Team Finland in EuroBasket qualifications. Team Finland tries to win a promotion to EuroBasket A division. Currently the Finns hold the pole position with the winning record 4-0.

In the EuroBasket home games Team Finland meets Team Iceland on Saturday 25.8. and on Wednesday 5.9. Team Luxembourg. Away games will be on 21.8. in Austria and on 2.9. in Georgia.

Finland - Great-Britain 80-63 (41-32). International game, Crikvenica, Croatia. 13.8.2007.

I'm sure I join all Blazersedge readers in thanking Jake!

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Comments

Go PK!

Thanks Jake for the translation, and I am glad to see that our Mr. Koponen is doing well in his BBall endeavors. Hope to see him next year.

by coastrider on Aug 14, 2007 12:33 AM PDT reply actions

Thanks for all that effort

I love reading about these guys. Maybe someone from italy can translate some of Rudy's game recaps?

I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley

by Earl on Aug 14, 2007 12:54 AM PDT reply actions

Or someone from Spain ;-)

Rudy is Spanish, not Italian... just FYI.

by danielfarrell on Aug 14, 2007 4:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Crap

I meant that. :) thanks.

I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley

by Earl on Aug 14, 2007 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions

We have plenty

of Spanish speakers around here, so I'm sure they could help. :)

by jamon51 on Aug 14, 2007 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks Jake!

That's so cool - glad we have a way to keep up with our overseas players!

by skyman375 on Aug 14, 2007 3:36 AM PDT reply actions

Hey Jake!

And Dave, thanks for the feed. I think P Ko' has a world of potential. Tough and has shown some glimpses that he can play some defense.

Love this kind of info, keep it up!

The Oden Era, Day 48

by Heymoe on Aug 14, 2007 7:23 AM PDT reply actions

Question?

So have the Blazers decided what to do with Petteri Koponen? I think I remember reading that he signed a contract with the Blazers, but does that mean he's planning on playing in the states next year? Or is he overseas for a while?

by Champs2009 on Aug 14, 2007 10:32 AM PDT reply actions

He'll be overseas

for the foreseeable future. He will be one of the questions for next summer or the summer after.

--Dave

by Dave on Aug 14, 2007 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Follow up question...

In the NBA Rookie photo shoot, which was noticeably lacking Greg Oden in a bunch of the pictures, there's a big white guy wearing a Blazers jersey... Am I correct in assuming that it's Petteri Koponen?

And what's with all the Gators pictures? Taureen Green looked good in the alternate red jersey but seriously, a little less Jaokim Noah love would be greatly appreciated...

by Champs2009 on Aug 14, 2007 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions

It was McRoberts

PKo would not make it into that lineup as of only a few people here even know his name, outside the diehard NBA/FIBA fans, the US Finnish sporting community and us Blazer fans.

by SpyderRyder on Aug 15, 2007 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Ratfarts!

Great Britain trounced by those recalcitrant finns. Did Joel Freeland play?

by EnglandDan on Aug 14, 2007 11:18 AM PDT reply actions

My first thought as well

I would have liked to hear that they were a bit closer, with Koponen and Freeland each carrying their teams.

by akahoopla on Aug 14, 2007 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Looks like Freeland didn't play

I found the box score for another game in this tournament and Freeland didn't play.

The Wikipedia entry for the GB team lists JF, but notes that, "(*) These shirt numbers may change due to injury replacement."

by akahoopla on Aug 14, 2007 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Buck up, old boy...

Keep a stiff upper lip and tally your hos and that, what?

by ken @ Blazer's Edge on Aug 14, 2007 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Petteri Kopponen

For what this team needs, Petteri Kopponen could be the PG of the future for the Trailblazers. He possesses all the key ingredients of a true championship floor general: poise, intelligence, discipline.

His athleticism, defensive intensity, and scoring ability are not to be scoffed at either.

With the right coaching, he could develop into an NBA PG that rarely makes a mistake in crucial moments and makes his teammates better.

With all the PG talent on our roster, that is the ability we need the most to win a title. Blake has it, and so could Petteri, but with more capacity to create shots for himself and others.

I'd like the team to do the smart thing and hold on to his rights. Then bring him over next year to see what he can do in a setting other than Summer League. He may be a very pleasant surprise that clears up our direction at a logjammed position.

Like it or not, Rip City is Back

by sohrab19 on Aug 14, 2007 5:01 PM PDT reply actions

overseas players

I really like what KP is doing regards to stashing players overseas. Its like having our own minor league system. In addition to future drafts, we'll get help with guys like Petteri, Rudy, and Freeland when they're ready. We know that the Spurs have done this so well. It almost puts us at an advantage over the other teams, because we have more help options availiable to us than they do.

--Dave

Addicted to Quack SBN's Oregon Ducks Blog

by David Piper on Aug 14, 2007 9:54 PM PDT reply actions