Sokk, Estonia believe in home court advantage against Israel

TALLINN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Sten Sokk is expecting a big crowd for Estonia's game against Israel on home soil in the second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers, and the veteran point guard believes the home court advantage will be a major key.

Sokk credited the fans in Tallinn's Kalevi Hall in playing a major role as Estonia grabbed a 73-70 win over Great Britain during their November Qualifier.

"Historically, it's always been hard for an away team to get a win at Kalevi Hall," the 28-year-old said. "Fans are close to the court, the gym is packed. You can sense it's not easy for the opposing team. Although our fans are harmless, when they get going, you can really hear them and then it gets really fun."

The win evened Estonia's record in Group H at 1-1 after having previously lost in Israel 88-68.

"ALTHOUGH OUR FANS ARE HARMLESS, WHEN THEY GET GOING, YOU CAN REALLY HEAR THEM AND THEN IT GETS REALLY FUN" SokkSokk

In this month's Qualifiers, Estonia head to Greece on February 23 before hosting Israel on February 25.

Sokk, a member of the national team since 2011 when it was competing in Division B, sees these home Qualifiers as serving basketball well in Estonia.

"I think it has always been important for Estonians to see good international games against other countries, especially bigger ones with lots of quality to get a sense of where our basketball is in terms of Europe," he said. "Our fans have always been there to support us. It doesn't really matter if it's in summer or winter. Plus, I think it will become even more popular as our younger talents start to represent our senior team."

Sokk, who averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals in the first two Qualifiers, is looking forward to the impact of the big crowd at the 10,000-seat Saku Suurhall in the Estonian capital Tallinn - the largest arena in the country.

"Against Israel our key should again be the home court, but again we won't only be hoping on that," he said.

He indicated that Estonia don't have any big expectations going into the game against Greece.

"Against Greece, we shouldn't have any pressure and we just have to go and play our hearts out," explained the 6ft 1in playmaker (1.84m), who plays his club basketball with Estonian side BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn.

"NOW WE HAVE A BETTER PICTURE OF OUR OPPONENTS AND OUR STAFF CAN DO AN EVEN BETTER JOB IN PREPARING US FOR OUR GAMES"SokkSokk

Still, Sokk knows that Estonia - who reached this stage by advancing from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Pre-Qualifiers - will be better in the second window after just going through the first two games.

"I think now we have a better picture of our opponents and our staff can do an even better job in preparing us for our games," he said.

Sokk is also realistic about Estonia's chances of reaching China 2019, especially since their participation in FIBA EuroBasket 2015 was their first appearance in Europe's biggest competition since 2001.

"Of course it would be amazing to see Estonia play already in the next World Cup, but realistically I would really be happy if it happened within the next 10-12 years," he said.

And what if it actually did happen and Estonia reach their first ever FIBA Basketball World Cup this time around?

"The impact would undoubtedly be huge," he said. "I think Estonian players would get more recognition abroad, maybe basketball as a sport would get more funding from various places and become even more popular than it is in Estonia."

FIBA