Danish Kevin Larsen ('93) has been the big name at the U20 Nordic Cup, played last week in Vantaa (Finland). 6'8'' power-forward has grown up last two seasons in Maryland (Montrose Christian School), but now is wearing a different jersey defending Denmark. In three games Larsen averaged 23.7 points (62% twos), 10.0 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 24.0 efficiency. Danish ended with a 2-1 record. Let's explain what happened in Vantaa.
In the first journey Denmark defeated Sweden (62-60) behind Larsen: 29 points (13/21 twos and 3/7 free throws), 9 rebounds and 1 block. At swedish side Canadian Solar Bologna small-forward Viktor Gaddefors ('92) had 17 points (8/11 twos, 0/6 threes and 1/1 free throws), 6 rebounds and 3 steals. In the other contest of the day hosts crashed Norway (100-48) with Markus Molenius ('92) scoring 15 points (2/4 twos, 3/3 threes and 2/2 free throws), adding 7 rebounds and 2 steals. For norwegians Bouna Ndiaye ('92) had 10 points (4/7 twos, 0/2 threes and 2/4 free throws), 5 boards and 4 assists (even 11 turnovers).
In the second day Sweden recovered from the losing effort in the opener with a clear win against Norway (48-100). 6'10'' Sebastian Norman ('92) only played 18 minutes, but enough to be the best for the winners with 16 points (7/8 twos and 2/3 free throws), 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. For norwegians Jakob Baiden ('93) had ended with 11 points (5/7 twos and 172 free throws) and 4 boards. In the other game Finland added its second victory, in this case over Denmark (87-74), even the good job of Larsen: 22 points (10/17 twos and 2/4 free throws), 16 rebounds and 1 assist. Molenius was the best again for hosts with 22 points (2/3 twos, 5/9 threes and 3/4 free throws), 4 assists and 3 steals.
Finally, in the third and last journey, Denmark crashed Norway (58-93) behind another good performance of Larsen: 20 points (6/9 twos, 1/1 threes and 5/9 free throws), 5 boards and 2 steals. At norwegian squad Ndiaye shined with 22 (6/13 twos, 2/4 threes and 4/6 free throws), adding 2 assists and 1 rebound. And the event finished with Sweden beating Finland (67-91) behind the best show of the tournament. Gaddefors collected a 37 efficiency with 31 points (8/10 twos, 3/9 threes and 6/9 free throws), 6 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists. For finnish Villematti Kopio ('92) had 23 points (6/9 twos, 3/8 threes and 2/2 free throws), 5 rebounds and 1 assist.
-Best in efficiency:
Viktor Gaddefors ('92, Sweden): 24.3
Kevin Larsen ('93, Denmark): 24.0
Markus Molenius ('92, Finland): 17.8
Sebastian Norman ('92, Sweden): 13.3
Villematti Kopio ('92, Finland): 12.7
-Best in points:
Kevin Larsen ('93, Denmark): 23.6
Viktor Gaddefors ('92, Sweden): 20.0
Villematti Kopio ('92, Finland): 17.3
Markus Molenius ('92, Finland): 15.0
Bouna Ndiaye ('92, Norway): 12.3
-Best in rebounds:
Kevin Larsen ('93, Denmark): 10.0
Sami Eleraky ('93, Denmark): 8.3
Jakob Baiden ('93, Norway): 5.7
William Gutenius ('92, Sweden): 5.7
Viktor Gaddefors ('92, Sweden): 5.0
-Best in assists:
Anders Haas ('92, Denmark): 4.7
Viktor Gaddefors ('92, Sweden): 4.3
Bouna Ndiaye ('92, Norway): 3.3
Jonathan Person ('92, Sweden): 3.0
Soeren Doessing ('92, Denmark): 2.5
Final standings: Sweden (2-1), Finland (2-1), Denmark (2-1) and Norway (0-3).
Photo: Montrose Christian School
