Finnish Basketball Rising: Insights from Sara Bejedi on Pro Debut

On the series of preseason chat with Finnish players, it is time to look towards Hungary and catch-up with Finnish PG Sara Bejedi, who is ready to start her pro-career with (check the spelling) KSC Szekszard.

Her team is probably right now training ahead of tomorrow’s first leg of their EuroLeague qualifying game in Brno, Czechia – the return leg will be played in Hungary on the 25th of September. Exciting times for Sara and her team, and also for Finnish basketball, as there is a chance that Finland can have TWO players playing at the highest level of European competition (the other being Awak Kuier of Reyer).

Adjustments when moving into pro-career?

So what does she think the biggest challenges are when moving from playing in the college, to now playing with the pros in Europe – the one thing Sara immediately picks up is the physicality of the game, where as in college you weren’t able to get away with too much ‘hard play” – in the pro-game physicality is accepted and almost expected, so that is one thing that she points out that she needs to adjust to.

How did the preseason go and what about EuroLeague qualifier?

What about the preseason and tomorrow’s EuroLeague qualifier? Our team is new and young, so preseason was getting to know each other and learning to play with each other. There is also excitement about finally being able to see how the past weeks work on the practice court translates into ‘real life’ when the team face Zabiny Brno on Wednesday in Brno.

What are you most looking towards on your first pro season?

Which things is she looking forward to during her first season playing pro? On the court, to keep developing player, I have always been a player wanting get better and develop. Outside of basketball it’s living on my own and invest on myself and mental health … and I am really excited about this new chapter that is about to begin.

Finnish basketball on the women’s side is really going places, what does it mean and what does the future look like for women’s game? She smiles at the subject, and continues – Honestly I am so proud every time I get to wear that jersey and to be able to say I am from Finland, I believe that there has been the talent there in Finland and to be able to tap into that and be able to win Championships (Women U16 are the new European Champions!!) and to be able to play at high level…. and I think that Finland will soon shock the world!

Game day rituals/must do’s??

Any game day things you HAVE TO DO … brave answer here as Sara starts by saying that especially if there is an away game, her apartment needs to be completely clean and tidy.. (now would be a good time for college room-mates, national team roomies.. to come and say whether things are always tidy in Sara’s room?)

What about a Go-To game day meal?

Go-To post game meal, there is apparently a nice Italian place in Hungary that has gotten the nod from Sara, but not shy about her cooking skills either (talking to an ex-Chef here!!) she confidently says that if cooking at home, she is able to cook up anything that could be served in a restaurant!

What would you say to your 15-year old self?

What advice would Sara give to herself aged 15?? The best answers are often saved for last… as Sara says that she would just give 15 year old self a big hug and say that you are capable, and I am pretty sure that the 15 year old me would be proud of me…. but .. there is still a long way to go!

It looks to be an exciting season for Sara in Hungary, and hopefully we will be able to see take the next steps on her career – and tomorrow this time we will be slightly wiser about her teams chances of reaching the EuroLeague !! Also, come November, there will be two more EuroBasket qualifying games as Finland get to play both of them at home – so be on the look-out for Bejedi dishing the balls from the back court and driving to the basket from the arc.

It is always nice to see player grow through the youth teams, then disappear into college ball for four years.. before returning to Europe and starting their professional careers. So here is another talented Finnish player who will now test and see what it takes to make it with the pro’s of the game – for those interested the EuroLeague qualifying game tips-off at 18.00 in Brno on Wednesday – so 19.00 in Finland and most likely 07.00 somewhere in the world.

Huge thanks to Sara for taking time to get her answers to me – good luck to you (and your team) for the season ahead, and I hope to be able to make the journey to Hungary to see you play during the season!