The 29-year-old team captain was incredibly good in Wednesday evening's hot Nordic derby.
With the guard as a guide, Blågult got a receipt that they really belong in the European Championship tournament – Sweden's first since 2013. And the goal of being one of the four teams that advance from the group feels, despite the tough 90–93 loss, perhaps even more realistic than before the European Championship.
While Sweden pressed Finland all the way to the final seconds, there were other teams in the group that experienced much tougher matches during the European Championship's premiere day in Tammerfors:
+ The United Kingdom had not much to say against Lithuania and lost with a 24-point margin.
+ Montenegro was completely hopeless against Germany – a loss of 76–106.
Against Germany on Friday
Much suggests that it is precisely the United Kingdom and Montenegro that Sweden must have behind them to succeed in reaching the round of 16 in the European Championship.
But first, the reigning world champions from Germany are waiting, with several NBA stars in the team. The throw-up is already at 12:30 on Friday, Swedish time, and another match where Sweden will have to come from behind.
We will need to play even better to have a chance then, says Håkanson.
”So damn close”
The question is whether Håkanson himself can be so much better than he was against Finland. He scored 28 points – of which 18 from the three-point line – but it was not enough to become the blue and yellow hero.
It's so damn close and so sour. All I want is to go into the locker room and celebrate after a win, but now it's a loss instead. I think we deserve to win this match and right now it sucks. But I know that this was one of our better matches in many years, he says.
Håkanson was praised afterwards from several quarters for his effort.
It's awesome to see that "Ludde” is back at the level he was at before with the national team – and just pours in threes. It makes us a much more dangerous team, says Pelle Larsson, Sweden's NBA star.
Played matches: Lithuania-United Kingdom 94–70, Germany-Montenegro 106–76, Finland-Sweden 93–90.
Remaining schedule, Friday: Germany-Sweden (12.30), Lithuania-Montenegro (15.30), Finland-United Kingdom (19.30).
Saturday: Lithuania-Germany (12.30), Sweden-United Kingdom (15.30), Finland-Montenegro (19.30).
Monday: Sweden-Montenegro (12.30), Germany-United Kingdom (15.30), Finland-Lithuania (19.30).
Wednesday: Montenegro-United Kingdom (12.30), Lithuania-Sweden (15.30), Finland-Germany (19.30).
The four best teams in the group in Tammerfors advance to the round of 16.
