Petri Koponen is the statue of liberty of Finnish basketball.
For 15 years now he has faithfully served the national team of his country, and is considered one of the people responsible for the positive revolution of the industry in the country until he was given the honorable nickname "The Finnish LeBron James".
Over the years he excelled in senior teams on the continent and only a year ago he returned to Finland after many years in Bologna, avoiding Moscow, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and other respected teams.
The 34-year-old guard was an important part of the team's record achievements at the beginning of the previous decade (tenth place and ninth place in 2011 and 2013), and now in a special interview with "Israel Hayom" he talks about his desire to break the glass ceiling and reach the quarterfinals with his team before that he retires from active play.
Jacob Meir, Prague
After 15 years in the national team, are you still excited for the Eurobasket?
"Honestly, this is the most exciting championship in years. Especially with the corona virus and all the things that have happened in the last two years. Since this is my 'last dance' and my career will end after the Eurobasket, I will definitely give everything I have for the team."
Do you feel that you have a chance to repeat the great achievement from 2013 and go far?
"We all have good memories of 2013 and I believe we've improved quite a bit as a team since then. I think this could be the best team Finland has ever put together for EuroBasket. With all the young guys and Uori (Markkanen, YM) coming in, I believe we have a chance reach new heights".
How do you see the match against the Israeli national team?
"Israel has always been a tough team. They like to push the pace and move the ball just like us, so we don't have the advantage we have against some of the bigger, more traditional teams. Defensively, everything has to run perfectly for us to beat Israel."
You played several times over the years against Israel. What do you remember most about these games?
"I remember the EuroBasket 2015 game in Montpellier, where Israel pretty much broke us on the court. We definitely need to improve this time."
Which Israeli player do you enjoy playing against the most?
"I have many friends from Israel. I met Omri Caspi at the very beginning of my career and we were together at a camp for young talents already in 2007. Throughout my years in Europe I enjoyed playing against Gal Mekel, Yotam Halperin and Guy Panini. There is a rich basketball culture in Israel and I respect it."
What do you think about the fact that, because of the struggles in European basketball, Euroleague and
NBA players
do not participate in most national team games?
"We would all like it to be better. In battles like this everyone loses. Everyone wants to play for their teams, but at the same time, we all have to be loyal to the teams and clubs that actually employ us."
Are you aware that it is largely thanks to you that Finnish basketball is in the good condition it is today?
"I wish I could take all the credit. I'm happy if I've done something good for the game. I remember watching Hanno Mottola and Timo Raniko as a child, and if a kid somewhere in Finland picked up the ball because of me, it's a great privilege for me."
"A right for me", photo: FIBA, official website
Selected in the 2007
NBA draft
and still stays to play in Finland.
Why?
Tell us what happened there.
"It's blurry for me. I was playing well for Honka Playboys when the head coach wanted us to test ourselves in the draft. I had a pretty good game in the US camp and suddenly there was so much interest that my agent arranged for me to go to pre-draft training.
Everything happened very quickly.
Suddenly I was there on Paul Allen's private jet with Greg Oden flying from New York to Portland... it was crazy."
Today, at your age, do you feel in retrospect that you missed something by not making it to the
NBA
?
"Not at all. I mean, I played in the summer league for Portland in 2007 and 2008 and I had talks with the Dallas Mavericks and in 2015 I had two offers. But at this point, I've gotten used to European basketball and I've learned to love the way the game is played here. However, I know at my peak I could have been a good rotation player in the NBA.
Both Israel and Finland have mandatory military service. Do you think it can hurt young players who want to reach the higher levels, or should everyone serve their country and deal with what is needed?
"I don't know how things are arranged in Israel, but overall I had no problems with the military service. The training at first was difficult, but after that I was able to go on sports vacations quite often and train properly, while doing my duty for the country. From my experience The Finnish army is flexible with athletes."
"I only thought about my mother, my wife and the child"
In the summer of 2016, shortly after signing with Barcelona with high expectations, Koponen had a car accident while traveling in a taxi.
At first there was concern that it would take him a long time to rehabilitate and return to the courts, but in the end, to everyone's joy, he was quickly released from the hospital and after a few months he was already walking on the floor.
"It was without a doubt the most challenging experience of my life. As soon as I woke up for the first time after the accident, the doctor said I would have died if I hadn't put on my seat belt. At that point, I really wasn't thinking about basketball - I was just thinking about my mother, my wife and the child."
And how did you return to the basketball courts so quickly?
"It was crazy. My condition started to improve earlier than expected and at the same time Barcelona had bad luck with injuries. We consulted with the coach and the medical team and after the light turned orange from their side, I decided to try. In retrospect, if we think about it, I probably returned to the field too soon."
Do you sometimes thank God and know that it could have ended much worse?
"Absolutely. You never know what could happen. In the end, you have to be grateful for every moment."
Finally, what would be considered an achievement and success for Finland in EuroBasket?
"We've never reached the quarter-finals and that's certainly something I'm looking forward to. With this group of players, we have a chance. As an experienced player, I'm happy to be around and hope I can help the team meet its goal."
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