Basketball: Lauri Markkanen got nervous on the referee’s line

Finland the men’s national basketball team picked up an important victory in the World Cup qualifiers on Friday night when they knocked off Hungary.

The team’s best scorer is, as usual, a superstar Lauri Markkanen. Markkanen scored 23 points in a packed Veikkaus arena.

At times, however, the man from Jyväskylä looked pained on the field. This was usually the result of situations where he drove to the basket and thought he would have earned the opponent a foul, but the referee’s whistle did not blow.

There were times for the referees too.

“I went to talk when there was a situation where a guy was hanging on his wrist in a throwing situation. Although I know that in Europe you can play harder than in North America, that’s a mistake on both continents. It’s no longer part of playing hard,” says Markkanen.

What did the judge say about your thoughts?

“Yes, you can talk to them, they always share their own view of the situation. This is an emotional game, and sometimes you have to say things a little louder, but there is nothing personal about it.”

“I went to apologize at the end, I don’t have anything to complain about the referee’s line per se. A few times I felt like the throw was broken, but it’s also nice to be able to play hard.”

Markkanen was happy to be able to play again after a long time. Both Markkanen and the team showed a little stickiness in the first half, but the feeling of the game started to be found as the match progressed.

“I also had difficult moments in the match, but that was to be expected. I tried to be aggressive and get the best throw for the team, sometimes it means throwing a little harder for myself.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. I last played in February, and it was visible and felt at the beginning. It took a little while to get my legs involved in the throws.”

After the victorious match, the Susijengi went as usual to shout at the loud home crowd with HU! shouts. Markkanen enjoyed playing in his native Finland and the great atmosphere, and according to him, the audience deserved their thanks.

“That shout has started to become our habit after victories. It’s our way of thanking the fans. We’re all here blowing into one coal.”

In the following Finland will face France in the qualifying match on Monday in Pau. The match ends the first qualifying stage and decides the group winner.

Finland has already secured its place in the second World Cup qualifying stage.