VANTAA (EuroBasket 2009) - Finland play in the Additional Qualifying Round on Monday knowing they no longer have a chance to play at the EuroBasket this season.

That was assured on Friday night when France defeated Italy to secure top spot in Group B.

The Finns have nevertheless, their coach Henrik Dettmann believes, taken a step forward in international basketball by playing in Division A the past two summers.

Finland narrowly lost to France in their first AQR game and then slipped up at home in Vantaa against Italy on Tuesday by just two points.

"Two years ago we played Division B qualifiers against other small basketball countries and the gym was half empty," Dettmann said ahead of Monday’s home game against France.

"On the contrary, now we play against top teams such as Italy and France in front of packed houses.

"We have been developing constantly.

"My dream is that during the next two years, we will develop just as much as in these last two years.”

What Dettmann, his players and fans will have been reminded the past two weeks is that the competition in Division A is as tough as ever.

”We’re still learning how to play at this level," Dettmann said.

"Situations change terribly quickly on the court and we’re not yet used to that.

"That was clearly visible in the first moments of our game against Italy.

"On this level, we get no extra style points, but instead our success is based on winning situations in both offense and defense.

"We have weaknesses that are only visible at this level – we don’t come across them against Division B teams or during practice."

The future, Dettmann says, is bright.

"Luckily we still have unreached potential in this team and the possibility of development is certain in the future as well," he said.

"Only time will tell if we can maintain steady development, or if we have to take one step back after taking two steps forward.”

FIBA