FIN - Coach Dettmann key in Finland's return to international stage

ALYTUS (EuroBasket 2011) - Finland have been one of the most pleasant surprises in EuroBasket 2011 and have won over the hearts of the spectators in Alytus with some of the most entertaining, yet very structured basketball.

Coming into the tournament as the undoubted underdogs, the Finns have proved sceptics wrong by looking very solid and well-organised on the court. Behind that, one just cannot miss the input of coach Henrik Dettmann, who is now going through his second spell at the helm of the Finish team.

During the interval, coach Dettmann had a very successful six-year period with the German national team, during which he led the Germans to bronze in the 2002 FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis.

Having steered Germany to success, the experienced coach from Helsinki has managed to put his homeland Finland back on the European basketball map after a 16 year absence from any international competitions.

In fact, the last time Finland participated in EuroBasket in 1995, coach Dettmann was still shouting out the commands for the Finnish players before taking over the reins of Germany the following year.

Now, that Finland are back in EuroBasket, much of the kudos are once again heading Dettmann's way, as the other coaches in the group have praised the Finnish specialist highly.

"Finland is the best organised team in the group and much of that comes down to coach," said Macedonia's head coach Marin Dokuzovski.

Despite having to deal with a lack of strength inside, Finland have managed to build a competitive squad and have given plenty of problems to the group opponents.

"The situation with the big men in Finland is what it is, so we have to find other ways to win. We tried to adjust our playing style and focus it on active defence, where we force the opponents to turnovers. That's what we've been able to do," coach Dettmann, who has been instrumental in Finland's return to EuroBasket, explained.

Even though Finland lacks the quality in their frontcourt, the young and talented players that have been coming through are indicating that a bright future is awaiting the Finnish team, which has coach Dettmann to thank for bringing them to the international stage after a long wait.

FIBA