HELSINKI (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Finland captain Shawn Huff believes Group F is wide open heading into this month's FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers.

Huff had 14 points to help the Finns prevail in an 82-80 thriller at Bulgaria on November 23 and 13 in a 64-56 home defeat to the Czech Republic three days later.

The Czechs (2-0) top the group ahead of Finland and Bulgaria (1-1) and Iceland (0-2).

"Taking into account our starting point, we played extraordinarily well," said Huff, who has suited up for Finland at the last four FIBA EuroBaskets and at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

"A whole lineup of core players was out: (Petteri) Koponen, (Sasu) Salin, (Lauri) Markkanen, (Gerald) Lee and (Teemu) Rannikko. Tuukka Kotti got injured against Bulgaria and Antti Kanervo right before the game against Czech Republic. Jamar Wilson played with a fever against the Czechs.

"Winning two out of two games under those circumstances would have been astronomical. We knew we could win against the Czech Republic by keeping the game as slow and as physical as possible, but we didn't quite have the grip all the way to the end."

"THE BEST PART ABOUT THE NEW QUALIFYING SYSTEM IS  EVERYTHING'S STILL OPEN. ICELAND ARE BOTTOM OF OUR GROUP BUT STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO RISE TO THE STOP. THE CZECH REPUBLIC MIGHT DROP TO THE BOTTOM. EVERY GAME MATTERS SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO SEIZE EVERY POSSIBILITY IN FEBRUARY" HuffHuff

Henrik Dettmann's side is now looking ahead to this month's challenges which include a showdown with Iceland in Reykjavik on February 23 and a clash with Bulgaria in Helsinki two days later.

"There are no easy games in Europe," Huff said. "The continent is highly competitive. A casual fan probably looked at our group and say that we are going to reach the Second Round easily, but the truth is not like that.

"The best part about the new qualifying system is everything's still open. Iceland are bottom of our group but still have the chance to rise to the top. The Czech Republic might drop to the bottom. Every game matters so it's important for us to seize every possibility in February.

"We do have a long way to go but each and every member of this team wants to continue the Susijengi success story all the way to FIBA World Cup in China. It would be another brilliant chapter in our story."

Anton Odabasi, 22, impressed in his first big chance with Finland at Bulgaria

The 33-year-old says there is no need for Finland to fret about the potential absences of Koponen and Salin again.

"Our mission as players of the national team is to play as well as possible in whichever circumstances are given," Huff said. "Naturally, for a small country such as Finland, it would be more than important to get all the best players to our team but in the end, we players can only influence on what happens on the court."

"WHEN SOME PLAYERS ARE OUT, OTHERS HAVE TO STEP UP THEIR GAME. ANTTI KANERVO SHOWED HIS SHOOTING ABILITY AND READINESS IN BULGARIA. ALEXANDER MADSEN'S DEFENSE AGAINST ALEXANDER VEZENKOV WAS OUTSTANDING. ANTON ODABASI SHOWED WE HAVE A PRIME LOW POST SCORER BUBBLING FOR THE FUTURE.  WE ARE EXPECTING OTHER GUYS TO RISE LIKE THIS IN FEBRUARY" HuffHuff

Even so, Finland have been able to give call-ups to other promising players.

"A decade ago, we had barely a handful of professional players (in Finland)," Huff said, "now we have 15,000 professionals all over the world, EuroLeague and NBA included. We have guys in Germany and France and Turkey, a new breed being seasoned in the NCAA. We have a few long time core players playing big minutes for best teams in Finland.

"When some players are out, others have to step up their game. Antti Kanervo showed his shooting ability and readiness in Bulgaria, Alexander Madsen's defense against Alexander Vezenkov was outstanding. Anton Odabasi showed we have a prime low post scorer bubbling for the future. We are expecting other guys to rise like this in February."

Huff and Finland last faced Iceland at FIBA EuroBasket 2017

The beauty of it all is that Finland can continue to meet the insatiable appetite of their fans for home games.

"Our 'sixth man' gave us a huge amount of energy and strength at FIBA EuroBasket 2017 on our home court," he said. "The long road to China is underway and we hope our fans bring us strength in this two-year expedition."

FIBA