Elina Aarnisalo – Naisten Korisliiga ‘veteran’ at the age of 17

When you are 17 years of age, rarely could you be called a ‘veteran’ or experienced player in the senior league – no matter what the sport or league.

But Elina Aarnisalo is one such player, who made her debut at the Naisten Korisliiga aged only 15 – and pretty much from day one, she hasn’t looked out of place playing with players whom some were already playing pro-basketball before Elina was even born.

On the video Elina’s thoughts on being the player bringing up the ball and calling the plays during her first season – and how her team mates and coaches helped her from the first games onwards.

Also how she sees the level of play/game at Naisten Korisliiga in Finland – and her role and what type of player she is from, naturally discussing her strengths as a player and what sort of goals she has set for herself as a player. And yes, I know players do not really want to take about where they see themselves in ‘five years’ .. which in life and in sport is a VERY long time – but Elina has goals in mind that she would like to achieve – and with my little understanding of the game.. I don’t see why she would not go on to achieve them (and I for one will be closely following where the game of basketball will take this 17-year old Finn)

With the National Team window less than 24 hours away (when I type this at the second game of the day in Espoo) – we can’t pass mentioning the upcoming games vs Ukraine and France – and how Elina sees the future of Susiladies, who in this window have already lost the chance to qualify for the EuroBasket, but next qualifiers starting in November.. how does she see Finlands chances of advancing to EuroBasket for the first time in a while… with players like herself, Awak Kuier, Janette Aarnio, Lotta-Maj Lahtinen, Elina Koskimies … just to name FEW. You can’t help but look at the future of Finnish women’s national team with positive thoughts and views.

Also – loving how the young generation are always up for doing the interviews in English.. I know it’s the Finnish league.. but when a lot (well, not that this Blog has a LOT) of visitors come from outside of Finland.. I keep doing this in English 🙂

Big thanks for Elina for her time after the game – and we’ll meet again tomorrow as Susiladies start their training camp ahead of the final two EuroBasket qualifying games!