HELSINKI (2016 FIBA U17 World Championship) - Elias Valtonen believes debutants Finland will have their chances to shine at 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship - thanks mainly because of their so-called "chaos basketball". 

"One of the U18 Finnish coaches called it chaos basketball and it kind of stuck," Finland's leader Valtonen said describing the Finnish way. "We don't give up, that’s the main reason we’re successful. We have an aggressive playing style. We give our heart. And we try to make chaos on the court."

Finland will be looking to use that chaotic style in their first appearance at the U7 Worlds. 

"Of course we are excited. But when we get to Spain then we will be even more," Valtonen said. 

The Finns' welcome to the global stage is Group C which includes two-time reigning finalists Australia, title contenders Canada and China, who have reached the Quarter-Finals all three previous tournaments.

"We know nothing is easy. We have our chances against every team. We know their strengths so we have to work on playing to our strengths," said Valtonen, who led Finland in scoring, rebounds, steals and blocks and was second in assists at last summer’s FIBA U16 European Championship.

"Of course we want a medal. But we want to reach the last 10 for sure. If we can get into the top 10 it would be good."

When asked what Finland must do to be successful in Zaragoza, Valtonen said: "We have to rebound well. We are a little bit of a smaller team. We have rebound well and shoot well."

Finland are in Zaragoza while European powers such as Serbia, Croatia, Italy and Germany all will be watching from home. 

"That's a great feeling. It shows that Finnish basketball is doing things right," Valtonen said. 

Not only is Finland playing in Zaragoza, but Suomi will be playing Division A in all three age categories - U16, U18 and U20 - in Europe this summer for the first time in the nation's history. 

"It means that the next generations can play A level too. It's a big thing that we can play some big games. It gives us good experience to play hard games," Valtonen said. 

Perhaps the biggest game in Finnish youth hoops games came on August 15, 2015 when Finland beat Serbia in the 5-8 Qualification Round of the FIBA U16 European Championship to book their ticket to Zaragoza.

Elias Valtonen guided Finland to one of their biggest wins in youth basketball.

"We didn't really understand it then. It wasn't until we arrived back at the hotel. We were so happy. We made history," said Valtonen, who collected 25 points, 6 blocks, 5 rebounds and 3 steals in that game. 

Valtonen knows that Finland don't stand a chance at the U17 Worlds if they don't play as a team. At the same time, he also is not afraid of taking over a game.

"It's a team game, but if the other guys can't do it, then I will do it myself."

Of course, there's always that bit of chaos lingering in Finland's game as well.

FIBA