A tough task is waiting for Germany in the semifinals with Finland. Elias Valtonen, who is currently enthusiastic about the European Championship. At Sport1 he explains where his crazy nickname comes from and reports from his journey from the second German league to the European Championship semi-final.
To the star in just a few days! This is what the Finnish basketball player Elias Valtonen is currently doing with his team at the basketball European Championship in the semi-finals (4 p.m. Germany-Finland in the live ticker).
A few days ago, the 26-year-old was only a term, but then he decided the round of 16 against Serbia with eleven of his 13 points in the last four minutes.
Finnish Elias Valtonen is waiting for the German basketball team in the semifinals
In particular, his two three in the final minute and over Megastar Nikola Jokic went around the world. When it came down, Valtonen was there and became a hero.
In the quarterfinals against Georgia, almost the same picture: The whole game was little together for him, but then in the final minutes after only two points in the entire game he scored two important threes and decided the game again.
The coldest player of the Basketball European Championship?
Everyone was talking about now at the latest. In the mixed zone after the game, large groups of journalists suddenly gathered around him and repeatedly declared him the “Most Clutch Player” of the tournament, i.e. to the player who meets the safest in the decisive moments.
“You can call me as you want. I just try to be there and put my stamp on the game. At the moment I am just lucky that my throws will fall,” said Valtons in an exclusive conversation with Sport1 .
He does not want to focus too much, especially because he only gets into these situations because of his team: “My teammates give me incredible self -confidence because they trust me so much. It’s just fun to play in this team.”
And his team celebrates him. “My goodness is clutch. I am so happy for him after he had to fight for so long,” said Miro Little after the victory against Georgia: “In Finland you don’t call him Eura Jordan for nothing.”
The story behind the nickname “Eura Jordan”
Valtons have long been a big name in his homeland. Especially in his youth he was one of the greatest Finnish basketball talents of all time.
The nickname also comes from this time, as Valtonen Sport1 explained: “If I remember correctly, a Finnish rapper called me at first. I come from a small Finnish village, which is called Eura. And Jordan is just Jordan. This is a very funny story that I am so named in Finland.”
The small town of Eura, which Valtons owes its nickname, is located in the south of Finland. It belongs to the municipality of Euras, which is almost 11,000 inhabitants. One of them is currently enthusiastic on the big world stage.
Valtonen started his career in the second division
Valtons would now like to write the next big story in the semi -finals against Germany (from 4 p.m. in the live ticker). It is a very special game for him personally.
“I have great memories of Germany. I played my first professional season in Tübingen in the second division. It all started for me. I love the south of Germany,” said Valtons.
After a good year with 15.8 points on average in 23 games, he moved to Spain to Basquet Manresa in 2021. In the 2022/23 season, he returned to Germany for half a season and played on loan for the Rostock Seawolves in the BBL (6.1 points).
From the second German league to the European Championship final against Germany, an almost kitschy story, as Finds Valtons: “What can I say, everyone has a different trip and everyone has to start somewhere. Now playing against Germany in the semi-finals is an incredible feeling.”
Valtons with great respect for Germany
Before this duel, Valtons appears extremely calm and clarified. It is clearly noticeable that after the exciting games in the KO phase, he is bursting with confidence.
At the moment, almost everything seems to be running for him anyway. Shortly before the conversation with Sport1, he also won the mandatory half-court shot challenge at the end of the team training. He was the only one from the center line.
“We do this in every final training before the game. Everyone from the team sets some money and today I cleared up,” said Valton with a laugh.
In Germany everyone will hope that this is the last victory for him for the time being. Valton’s greatest respect has the greatest respect in front of the DBB team: “It will be an incredibly difficult game. They are a world-class team and are still unbeaten. But we are also very confident and ready.”
Germany faces a tough task in the semi-finals against finland. Elias Valtonen, Who is Currently Impressing at the European Championship, is there. At Sport1, He Explains Where his Crazy Nickname Commes from and Reports on his journey from the second German League to the European Championship Semi Finals.
To Stardom in Just A Few Days! That’s how it’s Currently going for finish basketball player Elias Valtonen, who will face germany with his team in the basketball European Championship Semi -Finals (4 PM Germany – Finland in the live ticker).
Just a Few Days Ago, the 26-Year-Old Was only absolute experts, but then he decided the round of 16 against Serbia with eleven of his 13 points in the last four minutes on his own.
The Finnish Elias Valtonen is waiting for the German basketball team in the semi-finals
Especialy his Two Three-Pointers in the final minute Directly Into the Face and Over Megastar Nikola Jokic Went Around the World. When it mattered, Valtons was there and Became a Hero.
In the Quarter-Finals Against Georgia, Almost the Same Picture: The Whole Game Didn’t Go Well for Him, but then He Scored Two Important Threet pointers in the final minutes aft only Two Points in the Entire Game and Again Decided the Game.
The Coldest Player in the Basketball European Championship?
At the Latest Now Valonen was on everyone’s lips. In the mixed zone after the game, Large Groups of Journalists Suddenly Gathered Around Him and Repeatedly Declared Him the “Most Clutch Player” of the Tournament, Ie the Player Who is Most Reliable in the Decisive Moments.
“You can Call me whatever you want. I’m just trying to be there and put my Stamp on the Game. At the moment I’m just Lucky That My Shots Are Falling,” Valtonen Said Modestly in an Exclusive Interview with Sport1 .
He Didn’t Want To Put Himelf Too Much In The Spotlight, Especialy Because He Only Got Into Thesis situation Because of his team: “My Teamates Give Me Incredible Confidence Because They Trust Me So Much. It’s just fun to play in this team.”
And his team Celebrates Him. “My Goodness is he clutch. I’m so happy for Him after he had to fight so long,” Said Miro Little After the Win Against Georgia: “In finland they don’t call Him Eura Jordan for Nothing.”
The story Behind the nickname “Eura Jordan”
In his home country, Valtonen has long been a big name. Especialy in his Youth, he was considered one of the greatest finish basketball talents of all time.
The nickname So Comes from this time, as Valtonen Explained to Sport1 : “If I Remember Correctly, a finish rapper me that first. I come from a small finish called Eura. And Jordan. It’s a very funny that I’m Called in Finland.
The Small Town of Eura, to which Valonen Owes Its Nickname, is located in Southern Finland. It Belongs to the Municipality of Euras, which has a total of almost 11,000 inhabitants. One of them is a currently Inspiring on the Big World Stage.
Valtonen Began his career in the second League
Valtonen Now Wants to Write the next big story in the semi-finals Against Germany (from 4 pm in the live ticker). For Him Personally, it is a very special game.
“I have great memories of Germany. I played my first professional season in Tübingen in the second league. That’s where all started for me. I Especialy Love the South of Germany,” Said Valtonen.
After a good year with an average of 15.8 Points in 23 Games, He Moved to Basquet Manresa in Spain in 2021. In the 2022/23 Season He Returned to Germany for Half A Season and Played for the Rostock Seawolves in the BBL (6.1 Points).
From the Second German League to the European Championship Final Against Germany, An Almost Cheesy Story, as Valtonen Finds: “What Can I Say, Everyone Has A Differ Journey and Everyone Has to Start Somewhere.
Valtonen with great respect for Germany
Valtonen Seems Extremely Calm and Detached Before This Duel. It is Clearly Noticeble That He is Bursting with Self-Confidence After the Inspiring Games in the Knockout Phase.
At the moment, almost Everything Seems to be going Well for Him Anyway. Shortly Before the Conversation with Sport1 , He so Won the Obligatory Half-Court Shot Challenge at the End of Team Training. Hey the only one to hit from the Halfway Line.
“We do that in Every Final Practice Before the Game. Everyone on the Team Puts in Some Money and Today I Cleared It,” Said Valtonen Lahing.
In Germany Everyone wants Hope that this is his last Win for the time. Valtonen has the greatest respect for the DBB Team: “IT wants to be an Incredibly Difficult Game. They are a world-class team and still undefeated.