Salin joins Finland's 100-cap club

ESPOO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Finland guard Sasu Salin joined an exclusive club in his country’s 77-75 overtime loss at home against Russia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers as he played in his 100th international game.

The 27-year-old guard collected 9 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in Finland’s defeat in the Espoo Metro Arena, the 100th time he played for the Susijengi. He became the 22nd player to do so. 

"Of course after the game you are disappointed and everything, but if you think about the 100 games, it's been great what we have achieved as a team," Salin said. "Our basketball has grown like crazy. It's been great but I don't think we're done yet. We need to make new good things and go forward but today I am a little more disappointed than I want to be."

"THE FIRST THOUGHT ABOUT THE NATIONAL TEAM IS 'I HOPE I AM EVEN GOING TO MAKE IT THERE'. AND NOW I'VE PLAYED MY 100TH GAME. I'M HAPPY TO BE PART OF THIS NATIONAL TEAM. I AM ALWAYS PROUD TO REPRESENT MY COUNTRY.”- Salin

Salin joins the Finnish club which is topped by Tuukka Kotti with 217 games played for the senior men's national team. Shawn Huff is second at 191 and Jouko Heikkinen is third with 190, while Hanno Mottola is fifth at 165, Kimmo Muurinen has 156, Teemu Rannikko 149 and Petteri Koponen at 134.

Salin's debut for Finland came in the qualifiers for FIBA EuroBasket 2011 on August 11, 2010 against Israel - at the same arena in Espoo.

"The first thought about the national team is 'I hope I am even going to make it there'. And now I’ve played my 100th game. I'm happy to be part of this national team. I'm always proud to represent my country," he said.

Salin has been a deadly three-point shooter for Finland since 2010

The Helsinki native has played at the EuroBasket in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 as well as the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and the qualifiers for the 2011 and 2013 EuroBaskets. In the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers, the Unicaja Malaga sharpshooter is averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists through five games.

Looking back, Salin was quick to say what his most memorable of the 100 games was - Finland's 114-55 loss to the United States in their opening game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 in Bilbao, the country’s first-ever game at the global spectacle.

"It was one of the craziest games with emotions and everything. The result is what it is, but that was a great atmosphere at the World Cup for the first time for us. It was incredible," Salin said.

He also thanked the great Finnish fans who have grown in strength and numbers over the course of Salin's career.

"It happened only because of what we did on the court. It happened also in the stands," he said. "They have been travelling almost everywhere with us the past years. It’s been amazing, as you can see today."

FIBA