By Rafal Juc

 

2012 Nordic Cup finishes with completely domination of Finland, while U16 as well as U18 teams are coming home with championships titles. Despite U18 final game finished as blow-out (105-64) for Finland, game was really interesting to watch. Both teams started on high intensity, playing like in Balkans. There were no easy baskets. However, more aggressively were Finish. Amazing performance had Oskar Michelsen (’95). Since last year, when we saw him last time, he developed into face-up small forward, what is really satisfactory. In Nordic Cup final he just killed Iceland, scoring 33 points on 11/19 FG and grabbing seven rebounds. Michelsen presented himself first of all as terrific spot-up shooter, who knows how to move without ball to create some space. In addition his release is extremely fast, while he does not use his wrist at all. Finn is really willing to run to fast breaks and always crashes the glass aggressively. However on offensive end has to work on his 1-on-1 game on dribble, because of lack of explosiveness was not able really often to beat off dribble his opponent. Worth to notice his well-polished skills in defense, where thanks to pure footwork and nice understating of the game, Michelesen is capable of defending even couple of inches smaller guards.

Undeniably more entertaining was U16 final, where we had occasion to see both teams in possible best rosters preparing to upcoming European Championship U16. After really exciting game Finland won (94-80) over Denmark. One more time man of the game for Finland was really tough and strong small forward Henri Niemisto (’96), who led his team to win with 28 points. This time, besides 3-point range, he showed his athleticism and ability to finish above the rim on contact. On another half of court just unstoppable was again Johannes Leth Nielsen (’96), who went for 31 points and 10 rebounds.

However the best impressions on us left frontcourt duo Kasper Victor Christiansen - Jacob Glarbjerg Larsen. Both are 6'8'' and what is more born in 1997. However they present completely different styles of basketball. Christiansen, who impresses with his wingspan and instinct to block shoots on offensive ends spend the much of the time on midrange, waiting to knock down jumper. His shooting touch is really impressing, especially taking into account his size - Christiansen’s range is really deep, what he confirmed with couple of 3-point shoots over this tournament. In turn, Jacob Glarbjerg Larsen, who is in addition younger brother of Rasmus, top 1994 prospect, is really versatile in scoring inside the paint. His skills are still not polished, while Larsen’s hands are not too soft and his way of running the court a bit shaky. However, he possesses in his repertoire nice hook and floaters as well as mechanically midrange pull-up shoot. He showed satisfactory ability to play duo actions, rolling well after screens as well as cutting off really often.

 

Awards U18:

MVP - Julius Rajala (Finland)

All-Tournament Team: Niklas Larsson (Sweden), Julius Rajala (Finland), Kristoffer Gertz (Denmark), Martin Hermannsson (Iceland) and Valur Orri Valsson (Iceland)

Awards U16:

MVP - Henri Niemisto (Finland)

All Tournament Team: Henri Niemisto (Finland), Jakob Lund Ravn (Denmark), Johannes Leth Nielsen (Denmark), Sjur Dyb Berg (Norwey) and William Skagius (Sweden).

 

Twitter of the author: @rafjuc

Photo: www.basket.fi (Julius Rajala)