Finnish but not finished: History-makers from the north chase new heights

    Short Read
    Finland is assured of a top-four finish at this year's FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket

    Can Finland create more history in La Palma?

    Author
    John Hobbs

    LA PALMA (Spain) - Finland is set for their best-ever finish at a FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket, and it's no more than they deserve.

    Their growth into the youth elite has been coming, part of it coming from last year's victorious FIBA U16 Women’s EuroBasket squad, who defied the odds in Miskolc, Hungary, to beat France for their first ever trophy in any age group.

    And this year's U18 squad has steamrollered their way to the Semi-Finals where they meet Belgium for a chance to reach their first ever Final at this age group.

    In Finnish basketball, coaches and players have been doing a good job over the years, and now it's showing.

    Anna Gardziella

    "Last year's title was huge. It was something that I could only dream of. We showed that Finland can also manage to win games and competitions," said Finland's Anna Gardziella, one of the five players from the U16 success now making a name for themselves in this tournament.

    "Personally, winning another European title at the U18 level would mean everything. It would show that last year wasn't just a one-time thing. For me, it would be a proud moment to share with my teammates, coaches, and everyone back home supporting us. But right now, the focus is just on giving everything we’ve got in the Semi-Finals."

    Proving that their success back then was no fluke, the five players have joined the U18 squad and are now guaranteed a top-four spot, 12 months on in La Palma, Spain, already eclipsing their previous best finish of seventh, most recently achieved in 2022.

    "I think that in Finnish basketball, coaches and players have been doing a good job over the years, and now it's showing," Gardziella explained.

    "About our team, we have a team that wants to win every game we play. We know how good we can be if we play together and do the things we’re good at.

    "We’re taking it one game at a time and really focusing on what we can control. Of course, there's a little pressure, but we trust each other and what we are doing."

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    From Finland's newly-found golden generation of junior stars, Gardziella leads the team with 12.2 points a game and averages 13.4 in efficiency.

    Gardziella also averages 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per contest, leading the new crop that also features Mona Pasanen, Jessi Nenonen, Alina Nikkila and Aluel Machol from last year’s U16 squad.

    However, the praise can't solely belong to the players who have come up from the U16 level. Those who have stayed on from last year's U18 team that finished a highly respectable eighth in Matosinhos, Portugal, have more than played their part.

    Five players that won last year's FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket have joined Finland's U18 squad and made an impact

    Look no further than Nicole Ogun, who averaged 10 points and 8.1 rebounds on 41 percent shooting last summer. She has formed a terrific duo with Gardziella that has been both breathtaking to the fans watching and devastating to the opposition.

    Ogun has maintained her consistency, averaging 9.0 points and 6.6 rebounds with an efficiency rating of 13.2.

    Every team needs an unsung hero, one who quietly gets on with the task at hand, has an unselfish presence, and is willing to do the work that doesn't show on the stats. Erika Mace has been that player.

    Keen to get her teammates involved, Mace has 22 assists overall in the tournament, leading the Finns with 4.4 dimes, along with 8.2 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals per game. However, her work ethic and overall maturity at 18 are beyond her years.

    From lifting the U16 crown to a top four finish at this year's FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket, there is no limit to the potential for this Finnish team, with thoughts possibly springing to the next Women's EuroBasket in 2027, where they will be one of the co-hosts with Belgium, Lithuania, and Sweden.

    Could we see a chunk of this talented group be unleashed on the senior stage? Out of the U18 stars competing in Spain, only guard Tiia Talonen has senior experience, having played two games at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.

    "It has crossed my mind," Gardziella said. "It’s a big thing for Finland to host FIBA Women’s EuroBasket. Right now, my focus is on the present and doing my best at the U18s. It pushes me to keep working, improving, and staying ready for that opportunity if it comes."

    Can this group propel Finland to the levels that we have seen on the senior stage by France, Spain and more recently, Belgium?

    Either way, the future is certainly bright for women's basketball in Finland.

    FIBA

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