European Prospects

On Tuesday, the 2012 edition of the Baltic Sea Cup will start in Tallinn. Our Finnish friend Hippo has sent us more info on the two teams from his country that are participating to the event this year.

U18 Roster – Finland

• Joonas Lehtoranta – 1m85 – 1994 – KTP Kotka
• Joni Herrala – 1m85 – 1994 – ToPo Helsinki
• Niko Mattila – 1m91 – 1994 – Tampereen Pyrintö
• Ville Hänninen – 1m93 – 1995 – Turun NMKY
• Henri Ventoniemi – 2m01 – 1995 – Tapiolan Honka
• Oskar Michelsen – 2m03 – 1995 – Helsingin NMKY
• Mikael Kauhanen – 2m02 – 1994 – Helsingin NMKY
• Anton Odabasi – 2m01 – 1995 – Tapiolan Honka
• Julius Rajala – 2m04 – 1994 – ToPo Helsinki
• Miikka Luosmaa – 2m02 – 1994 – KaU Karkkila
• Mika Nuolivirta – 2m10 – 1994 – ToPo Helsinki
• Orlando Taylor – 2m05 – 1994 – PJ Warriors, Helsinki

NIKO MATTILA: Probably the biggest upside of any junior national team guards in Finland. A terrific defensive player, reads the game well and reacts well. Needs to improve his shot, bulk up and develop his footwork. Already playing rotation minutes for reigning Finnish champion Pyrintö.

VILLE HÄNNINEN: Sasu Salin-type of player; a bit more passive but handles the ball better than Salin did at same age.

OSKAR MICHELSEN: 203 cm and growing, moving from power forward to small forward. A versatile, do it all type of fellow. Could blossom into a tremendous modern European player who can drive to the hole and shoot the three; the next a couple of years will be crucial.

ANTON ODABASI: Lacks athleticism and quickness, but can score from any position and is one of the toughest, meanest post players from Finland ever. Willing to sacrifice his body and gather a few bruises if it helps his team.

ORLANDO TAYLOR: This guy is an enigma so far, he hasn’t been in 1994 born national team group these past years but his performance in local junior leagues have been impressive (double-doubles and dunks every night). When you have a 17-year old, 205 cm, 110 kg guy in your roster, you can expect something big.

U16 Roster – Finland

• Fifi Aidoo – 1m75 – 1996 – Sykki Helsinki
• Tuomas Hirvonen – 1m76 – 1996 – Kouvot Kouvola
• Henri Niemistö – 1m95 – 1996 – ToPo Helsinki
• Elias Eerikinharju – 1m86 – 1996 – ToPo Helsinki
• Ville Leikas – 1m85 – 1997 – Wartti Helsinki
• Arttu Saarijärvi – 1m84 – 1996 – Namika Lahti
• Okko Järvi – 1m91 – 1996 – Tapiolan Honka
• Samuli Nieminen – 2m00 – 1996 – JKS Järvenpää
• Leo Machana – 1m90 – 1996 – Tapiolan Honka
• Juho-Matti Henttonen – 1m96 – 1996 – Namika Lahti
• Akseli Hartikainen – 1m93 – 1996 – Namika Lahti
• Thomas van Santen – 2m05 – 1996 – Tapiolan Honka

HENRI NIEMISTÖ & ELIAS EERIKINHARJU: The heart and soul of Helsinki-based ToPo’s 1996 born team, both flavored in international games these past years. Terrific scorers and ballhandlers, both play defense well. Eerikinharju is 186cm, but expected to reach 195-200cm.

SAMULI NIEMINEN: A tall, long, athletic and smart small forward who has been already scouted by some bigger teams in Europe.

OKKO JÄRVI: Natural born scorer, currently averaging 24.5 points a game in Finnish u16 league.

THOMAS VAN SANTEN: 205 cm and 15 years of talent. Still growing.

You can follow the tournament on the official website in English with Live Scores. There is also a LIVE Stream available for 5€ of the U18 games.