Title decider between Iceland and Finland
Winner takes it in Södertälje
It’s winner takes it all on Wednesday evening in Södertälje as Finland and Iceland face off in WU18 Nordic Championships game on Game Day 04.
Both teams are going into the game with a 3-0 record, but with very different ways of getting there.
Both teams have very different styles of play, but who will come out on top on Wednesday??
Let’s look at some numbers and my musings on the game.
Numbers game
- ASSISTS : Finland 80 – 53 Iceland
- BLOCKS : Finland 16 – 11 Iceland
- 3point % : Finland 24.1 – 29 Iceland
- 2point % : Finland 53.5 – 43.9 Iceland
- Average PPG : Finland 106.7 – Iceland 87.3
- Average PTS AGT : Finland 51 – 75.3 Iceland
- Points from the bench : Finland 47.7 – 26 Iceland
- Points per possession : Finland 1.2 – 0.9 Iceland
In the light of the numbers, it should be clear than Finland will win the game, and clearly. But!! – luckily for Iceland (and neutrals) games aren’t decided on the paper, but on the court.
Styles of play
Very different, but also very similar.
Finland are like a well drilled machine that just keep on grinding and finding the weaknesses in the opponents game and exploit them in the way only they can. In this tournament it has brought win and win – and the team has not really been fully put to the test yet.
Will the Finnish way be the winning way on Wednesday?
Iceland, they have been tested TWICE in the biggest way possible, and have found a way to claw the win – most impressively against Sweden when they first thought they had won the game, then thought they had lost it – only to in the end find out that they had won it.
Iceland are like bunch of hyenas, they play aggressive, take the opportunities and work in a pack-like manner with cohesion and have a strong sense of teamwork in the group. It feels like whenever the opponent gets the ball.. two Icelandic players are there to defend her.
Key players
Iceland :
- Kolbrun Maria Armannsdottir : the top scorer, goes for rebounds, likes to score from under the basket. Can she deal with the taller Finnish players under the basket??
- Rebekka Steingrimsdottir : just an all-round threat, likes to share the ball as well score herself.
- Hulda Agnarsdottir : player who have to wary of, 15 steals to her name in the tournament. Does not make put up the biggest numbers, but is a constant thorn in the side of the opposition.
Dark horse
- Elisabet Olafsdottir : Not had that ONE game yet in the tournament, will she find her shot and be the cog that helps Iceland to a win over Finland?
One to watch :
- Emma Snæbjarnadottir : When the team needs some fire in their belly – look no further, three blocks in the Denmark game and the ice cold stare at the opponent right after.. looking forward to more of that!
Finland
Can I just write .. THE WHOLE TEAM!! Honestly, it is just a machine.. but let’s pick a few..
- Jessi Nenonen – What can you say – possibly the player who has had the most solid tournament so far. How do you stop her??
- Erika Mace : Pace, vision, energy – whether you need a score, a pass or a rebound.
- Ada Luukkanen : All around player, which every team needs – solid, no nonsense type of player who gets the job done.
One to watch :
- Tiia Talonen / Nicole Ogun : Rested in the last game, if they play – or one of them plays. You might want to keep one on them while they are on the court.
Dark horse :
- Anna Gardziella : Can light up the game from behind the three point line – as well as score inside the paint. Is this the day the three point range is discovered?
