Finland can count on Espoo capacity crowd's support in fight for their life against Group K leaders France

ESPOO (Finland) - One of a dozen European teams still in the hunt for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 berths, Finland will have a mammoth task on their hands in the February window, as they face an uphill struggle against two of the continent's finest national teams.

A win off the pace and ranked fourth in Group K with a 5-5 record, the Henrik Dettmann-coached side begin their survival mission on Thursday against the top-of-the-table France in front of a sell-out crowd of some 7,900 spectators at the Espoo Metro Arena. A win would set up a decisive clash against Russia on Sunday.

In direct competition with Russia to join their already qualified Second Round rivals France and Czech Republic in China this summer, Finland can no longer afford any errors and will have to beat Vincent Collet's men if they want to earn the right to live another day without any extra permutations.

"PERSONALLY, THESE UPCOMING GAMES ARE DEFINITELY THE MOST IMPORTANT ONES OF MY CAREER... THE ROLE OF UNDERDOGS HAS ALWAYS SUITED US WELL AND WE'RE STILL HERE."- Wilson

"We have our backs against the wall and we'll have to scratch and claw for ourselves on the court. There is no other option. We have to go all out and leave everything on the hardwood," point guard Jamar Wilson spoke of the team's mentality ahead of two decisive tests in the European Qualifiers, one after another.

In the game against France, Finland's strength will be in numbers. Having sailed to an 83-67 win in Montpellier in September, Les Bleus may find it harder to come away with a win on the road, with the partisan Espoo crowd howling for the hosts.

It will be Finland's third sold-out out game in the European Qualifiers, having already filled Espoo's venue once before against Russia and packed the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki to the rafters back in the First Round.

A win against France would see Finland preserve the chances of qualifying to the World Cup regardless of other results, setting up a do-or-die contest with Russia on February 24, where they would have a chance to make or break their 15-month-long qualification campaign.

"Personally, these upcoming games are definitely the most important ones of my career," Wilson, who leads the European Qualifiers with a competition-best 56 assists, underlined the gravity of the situation while remaining confident.

"The role of underdogs has always suited us well and we're still there."

Jamar Wilson and Finland will be looking for a pair of upsets to qualify for the World Cup

While Susijengi may relish the underdogs role, the pressure to win is firmly on their shoulders ahead of the vital duels against France and Russia.

Looking to return to the FIBA Basketball World Cup after making their debut in 2014, Finland have the perfect stage to show they deserve to be in China with the best national teams from around the globe.

FIBA