On the road – Day 24
What a two weeks it has been…
Right now – feeling very empty after last nights game.
Somehow it is strange, I am just a team photographer – but losing (against the reigning World Champions) hurt like hell last night. Sitting on the baseline with my cameras and seeing Spain take the lead and sink baskets…
Then the emotional farewell of Huff and Koponen.. and after that heading to the Finland locker room to capture videos/photos of a team that had just had their EuroBasket campaign ended. Moments like this as a photographer, you feel a privilege that you are able to be there during the moments of joy and moments of sadness ..
Since the start of June, I have seen these players and staff more than my wife and my dog?? As we always say, this team is our ‘Summer Family’ – for two/three months most years.. it is wearing the blue&white Susijengi clothes, training sessions, games, bus journeys, flights, hotel meals, new cities, new venues… so maybe it is no wonder that even as just the photographer, you live and breath with the team.
Yes – the defeat did hurt last night (which also why I skip the team dinner and spend the evening editing images in my hotel room and get some room service delivered – my way of sorting out my thoughts and starting to wrap up the summer).
Now, after a poorly slept night – honestly, this team to play like they did, get the results they did and get 6th/7th place finish at EuroBasket 2022. I mean, there are no words to describe how this team performed and excelled the expectations. This was yet another HUGE step forward from the team, and looking forward to World Cup 2023… you can’t help but feel excited!!
But now – it is time to pack the bags – take a flight back home to Finland, where I get to spend 30 hours home, before my next 40-60 days of ‘Life on the Road’ starts with covering 30 teams promo-images and game images all over Finland.
No hotel beds, got my own blankets, my own bed and everything in my ‘home on wheels’ – and before I know it.. the Summer Family comes back together in November for a week.
Sorry I did not manage to keep updating this daily, as planned, funnily enough the real work took over and hours just ran out in days. I will try to get some thoughts and views of the past two weeks posted in the coming days.
Two more hours at the hotel – then, to autumnal Finland and probably having to wear trousers for the first time in three weeks!!
Thank you Susijengi, Thank you EuroBasket .. it’s been a blast!! Until we meet in 2025 in Finland!!
