| 28.07.2010
Finland veteran Teemu Rannikko is ready to pick up the slack caused by the loss of injury victim Pettri Koponen as the team go into their EuroBasket qualifying campaign.
Rannikko knows there will be extra work to do in the backcourt without Koponen around but he is ready to take it all in his stride.
"The players in the national team are all very familiar with their roles and from year to year this has remained unchanged to the extent that an exceptional situation is not a problem," he said.
"It is always nice to get a few extra minutes. I will take on as much responsibility as the coaches and the team needs me to."
The 29-year-old Pallacanestro Varese guard has been in the national team set-up since the age of 17, so there are few players around more familiar with the challenges involved in playing international basketball.
However, Koponen is also a hugely experienced player and there is no doubt Finland will miss him next month.
"Pete has collected over 100 caps, so he knows the whole process without question," Rannikko added.
"But players like Mikko Koivisto and Antti Kanervo can really step it up now he is out. That is how it works." Finland are in Group A for the EuroBasket qualifiers and will take on Italy, Latvia, Montenegro and Israel. |
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