Interview with Lassi Tuovi, former Strasbourg coach making waves with Finland: « Nobody expected us here! »

At 38, Lassi Tuovi is one of Europe’s most promising young coaches. The Lappeenranta native, who previously worked at Strasbourg and Gravelines-Dunkerque, is experiencing his second consecutive EuroBasket quarter-final with Finland. On Saturday, he led the Susijengi to a historic victory against Nikola Jokic’s favored Serbia team. Two days later, he gave a lengthy interview discussing his journey, coaching style, staff of former legends and his future.

« Beating Jokic’s Serbia is a victory that builds the future »

On Saturday evening, Finland stunned Serbia. This may represent the biggest victory in Finnish basketball history. For Tuovi, there’s no point comparing achievements: « The 2017 tournament opener against France in Helsinki was huge, but this time, beating Serbia with Jokic is a victory that builds the future. It gives us more hope, more confidence. It proves we can beat the big nations, even in the knockout phase. »

Already quarter-finalists in 2022 against Spain, Finland has gained maturity since then. « We learned that we need to improve throughout the tournament. Nobody expected us here, everyone saw Serbia facing France. But it’s Finland against Georgia. And that’s EuroBasket: there are always surprises. »

« Jantunen will be a superstar in the future »

Against Georgia this Wednesday at 4pm, Finland expects a radically different opposition. During Euro qualifications, the two teams had already faced each other on November 21 and 24, 2024, with Georgia winning both times. « They play slowly, with lots of post-ups. We shoot many 3-pointers. But that’s the beauty of EuroBasket: each team imposes its style. What matters is staying true to our qualities and putting them on the court. They’re a team that has played together for years. For them like for us, it’s a national dream. Two small but proud and humble countries. »

Tuovi will have the opportunity to face Tornike Shengelia, whom he coached in 2022-23: « I coached him in Bologna. » Against him, he’ll need to empower Mikael Jantunen. The former Paris Basketball forward, signed by 2025 EuroLeague winner Fenerbahçe, is emerging as Finland’s second option behind Lauri Markkanen. « He improved a lot at Ostende (where he played in 2021-22). He improved at Treviso. During summer, he progressed in the weight room. That’s the secret, he wants to improve every day and he doesn’t just say it, he’s ready to do what it takes to get better. This is just the beginning for him and he’s already very important, as we saw against Jokic. He’ll be a superstar in the future. »

« Finnish basketball is a family »

At the heart of this Finnish momentum, former internationals Teemu Rannikko and Hanno Möttölä play key roles in the staff « with coach Henrik Dettman… they’re the ones who started all this. They also played in front of 300 people in the gym, when nobody was interested in basketball. They constantly give us the perspective that nothing is ever guaranteed. Today, they pass on their experience and pride. » As for the new generation, they’re doing their part. « So many coaches sent me messages and were excited about the victory against Serbia. And among the first were Tuomas (Iisalo) from Memphis and (Petteri) Kopponen from the New Zealand Breakers. It really shows that we’re very proud of what we’re doing in Finnish basketball. »

With this passing of the torch, perspectives have really changed for Finnish basketball, even more so with the impact of this historic victory against Serbia, experienced from afar by the delegation in Riga: « I heard crazy TV ratings numbers. But what matters most to me are the photos I received of children saying: ‘I want to be Markkanen, I want to be Valtonen, I want to be Muurinen.’ They’re already idols. It’s with victories like this that we build the future. »

« Strasbourg was like my home »

Now based in Japan for two years, Tuovi is having a rich experience on all levels. « It’s great. I really love the project we’ve built. We’ve certainly learned a lot with my Finnish assistant, (Jukka) Toijala, and that’s the main thing. After working in Strasbourg and Bologna, I didn’t think I’d experience a new basketball culture. But at the same time, I’m very excited because they want to improve, they want to learn from our expertise, they want you to inform them and develop them. It’s kind of an initiative for me. It’s a special opportunity for a coach to win, build a good team, but also help them build a better basketball culture. And I’m living my dream with the national team at the same time. »

In the Land of the Rising Sun, although Lassi Tuovi has moved away from France, he remains connected to the Hexagon. « After the victory against Serbia, I received dozens of messages from French friends. And it’s very pleasant! People continue to follow me. Strasbourg, after five years there, was like my home. I lived there and went on vacation to Finland. »

The question remains whether he’ll return to Europe one day, perhaps with ambitions to coach in EuroLeague? An objective he acknowledges without imagining an immediate departure from Japan. « Maybe I’ll stay there for a long time. When I was in Bologna, I didn’t expect that three months later I’d move to Japan after the season. Everything happens so fast. » But not losing his good old French habits. « Why not return one day… with a croissant and a good glass of red wine. » But before that, why not try a khachapuri, a great Georgian specialty?

In Riga,