Rannikko to play for Susijengi once again

HELSINKI (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Finland veteran Teemu Rannikko has been in such good form that he's decided to play for the Susijengi for the first time in three years at FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

The 36-year-old last featured for the Finns at FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and left the impression that he was done with the national team. The door to the Finland squad always remained open, though, and now the skilled and fiery playmaker has decided to come back.

"Throughout last season and even in early summer, I had the feeling that I wouldn't come back to national team, but eventually my mind started to change," he said.

"Petteri Koponen's wedding in mid-July was the turning point. I don't know whether it was the good friends surrounding me or the continuous pleas of the wedding guests, but I started to think it would be possible to come back."

Koponen has been Finland's top player for the past several years.

Rannikko shone for Kataja Basket from 2014-17, leading the club to two Finnish championships. He claimed two Korisliiga MVP awards, two Korisliiga Finals MVP awards and ranked first in the FIBA Europe Cup assist category in 2015-16.

Yes, it's been a while since Teemu last played for the Susijengi, but because of his basketball IQ and both on and off the court skills, he can still be a vital player for us.

Henrik Dettmann

He had a lot of good moments in the 2016-17 Basketball Champions League.

"I've had quite a few good games with Kataja Basket during last three seasons," he said. "I have a few summers with Susijengi behind me and based on how I feel today, I believe I can help the team."

Coach Henrik Dettmann is happy that his veteran guard is back.

"We have reached out to each other throughout the year," he said. "It's the coach's duty to sense how the players feel and to keep the door open, while it's the player's duty to observe the situation of the team. With Rannikko, we reached the right point.

"The main thing is that the decision to come back came from Teemu himself. His decision is a prime example of his passion and commitment."

Rannikko last played for Finland at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup

Dettmann expects Rannikko to fit right in.

"Yes, it's been a while since Teemu last played for the Susijengi, but because of his basketball IQ and both on and off the court skills, he can still be a vital player for us," the coach said.

Rannikko, who practiced with the team in the last full week of July because of some absences in the backcourt, says that Finland will be a little different to the national team that he last played for.

"While guys around me have changed a bit, I know the majority of them," he said. "One of the biggest strengths of the Finnish national team has always been that it is easy to hop in. Right now I have been getting into rhythm for a week and I'm preparing to go full speed for the rest of the summer and early fall."

Finland will take on Poland, Greece, France, Iceland and Slovenia in Group A.

FIBA