Finland have announced their Eurobasket warm-up plans by naming a 23-man squad and revealing key exhibition games leading up to September.
The Scandinavians produced their best showing at Eurobasket in over 45 years by finishing ninth in Lithuania two years ago and they have signaled their intentions by naming the same players that made it to the second round in 2011 with Petri Vertanen the lone player from that team missing out.
One of the new additions to the roster is center Erik Murphy, who graduated from the University of Florida this year and is expected to debut for the Finns in Slovenia in September.
“Erik informed me immediately of his willingness to represent Finland,” coach Henrik Dettmann said. “He is currently preparing for the NBA Draft and will have try-outs with teams across the United States.”
Finland’s summer camp begins on July 22 with the first game being in-front of their home fans against Great Britain who are without a coach at present time on August 15.
They will then travel to Lithuania to participate in a four-team tournament which includes Russia, Czech Republic and the hosts themselves starting on the 21st before they play Latvia on August 28 in Finland.
Finland’s preliminary squad for EuroBasket 2013:
Roope Ahonen, Joonas Cavén, Samuel Haanpää, Shawn Huff, Antti Kanervo, Ville Kaunisto, Mikko Koivisto, Petteri Koponen, Tuukka Kotti, Gerald Lee Jr., Carl Lindbom, Erik Murphy, Kimmo Muurinen, Vesa Mäkäläinen, Hanno Möttölä, Antto Nikkarinen, Antti Nikkilä, Matti Nuutinen, Teemu Rannikko, Sasu Salin, Emir Sulejmanovic, Samuli Vanttaja, Ilkka Vuori.
