Finland will learn the lessons from its opening loss to Australia at the FIBA Basketball World Cup and is "ready for Japan next," star forward-center Lauri Markkanen said Friday.
World No. 24 Finland traded punches with third-ranked Australia in the first half of the Group E opener at Okinawa Arena before the Olympic bronze medalist ramped up the defensive intensity en route to a 98-72 victory.
Utah Jazz standout Markkanen led the way for his team with 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists while coming under close attention from an Australian defense determined to force the ball out of his hands.
The 26-year-old NBA All-Star said Finland nevertheless gained confidence from the game ahead of its meeting with 36th-ranked tournament co-host Japan on Sunday.
"We showed we can play with anybody in the tournament," Markkanen said.
"Australia is one of the top teams in the world for a reason. They really punished us for our mistakes on our live ball turnovers and when we didn't execute as well as we did in the first half."
The winner of the NBA's Most Improved Player award in 2022-23, Markannen is coming off a breakout first season in Utah after a year with the Cleveland Cavaliers and four seasons with the Chicago Bulls, who drafted him seventh overall in 2017.
He must continue to shine at the World Cup if the Finns are to advance from the so-called group of death that also includes EuroBasket bronze medalist and world No. 11 Germany. But for now, the 2.13-meter frontcourt player is firmly focused on beating Japan in front of a vocal home crowd.
"It's going to be a fun environment. They're going to cheer for their team. But we're excited," he said. "We're just going to watch film from this game (look at) stuff that we did well and what Australia did that made our game difficult."
While he was not part of the Finnish side that narrowly overcame Japan 76-71 in a July 2021 friendly in Okinawa, Markannen said he knew what to expect from coach Tom Hovasse's team.
"We had a lot of guys play against their team a couple of years ago, so we know some of their players and their style of play," he said.
"We've got to be prepared for the fast-paced game, a lot of shooting, and of course they have some NBA experience as well. It's going to be fun."
