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Flying high with the backing of Angry Birds, Finland received a wild card for the World Cup of Basketball on Saturday in a decision criticized for being more about business than basketball. Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. The draw is Monday. Greece is ranked fifth in the world and the only team to beat the U.S. since Mike Krzyzewski became coach in 2005. Turkey is ranked seventh and was runner-up to the Americans in the 2010 world championship. Brazil, which will host the 2016 Olympics, is No. 10. Finland is only 39th, the only one of the 12 teams since 2006 to receive a wild card that wasnt in the top 24. But it had the support of Rovio, the Finnish company behind the popular Angry Birds games that had agreed to provide advertising if Finland was selected. "We are fully aware that despite our strong athletic results and fan support, we need to think creatively about how we can truly show our strength to FIBA and the basketball world," Antti Zitting, president of the Finnish Basketball Association said Thursday in a release announcing Rovios support. "As a small Northern country we cannot deliver the same type of TV audience as some other nations, but thanks to Angry Birds, we can offer an engagement platform that no other country can match." FIBA lists economic aspects among the criteria for wild cards, which became part of the organizations biggest tournament in 2006. Secretary general Patrick Baumann noted Finlands recent success on the court but also its potential off it in a statement about the decision, citing the Finns four victories over top-15 teams at the 2013 European championships and their strong fan support. "The Finns are enjoying massive support with their fans travelling in big numbers to their games," Baumann said. "The current growth of Finnish basketball is the result of a solid long-term strategy being executed by the Finnish Basketball Association and still has a lot of potential for development." Russia, the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist , China, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Israel, Italy, Nigeria, Poland, Qatar and Venezuela were the other countries that had applied for wild cards. Italy and Germany had previously withdrawn their bids and China, which was considered a leading candidate to get one because of its population and passion for basketball, did Saturday morning. FIBA also announced it had lifted a ban on Senegal and would allow it to be in the tournament. Anthony Davis Pelicans Jersey . Espanyol midfielder Sanchez intercepted Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizozs clearance and, having spotted a gap, risked using his less-favoured left foot to fire a beautifully precise long-range shot that bounced in from high up the near post in the 24th minute. 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Brayden Schenn and Scott Hartnell scored, Ray Emery stopped 32 shots and the Flyers beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory.England midfielder Jordan Henderson reckons Gareth Southgate has developed the squad since taking charge on a temporary basis in September. Former Middlesbrough manager Southgate has taken charge of the senior England side four times following the departure of Sam Allardyce after just six weeks in the role.England have beaten Malta and Scotland at home either side of drawing with Slovenia in their three World Cup qualifiers. Englands players have thrown their support behind Gareth Southgate to be given the England managers job on a full-time basis And Southgates interim period at the helm ended with a 2-2 draw at Wembley in a friendly against Spain on Tuesday.Liverpool skipper Henderson insists the 46-year-old has the backing of the England squad as the FA prepares to name a successor to Allardyce. Jamie Vardy (9) celebrates scoring Englands second goal against Spain Henderson said: When you have asked all the players the question, they have all been very supportive of the manager. He has been brilliant to work with over this period of time.I think we have progressed in the short space of time he has been here, from the first game to this game, and that is definitely a good sign that we are going in the right direction. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price It is out of our hands now but the players have worked tremendously hard for the manager and hopefully in the end, he will get it and we can keep going in this direction.England do not play again until a friendly in Germany in March but Henderson reckons Southgate will have been pleased to see his players apply his ideology against Spain, despite the concession of two late goals to the visitors. Former England captain Terry Butcher believes Southgate will be appointed manager on a permanent basis I think he will be a bit disappointed like we are, Henderson said, when asked about Southgates reaction to the late draw.dddddddddddd.Even though Spain had a lot more possession, I thought we were still in control without the ball. They didnt create many chances apart from the two goals but there are a lot of positives to come out of it. Southgate says he will reflect with immense pride on his time in charge of England, but will not confirm if he wants the job on a full-time basis Im sure the manager will be pleased about what we have done on the training field and how we put that into the game. We need to keep working.After the game, we are disappointed because we put so much into it and wanted to win the game. Daniel Sturridge heads home Englands opener against Malta in Gareth Southgates first game in charge Of course, walking off the field youre disappointed but Im sure if we reflect on the game, then the main things tonight were the performance, the way we set up and doing things we worked on in training. We did that for the majority of the game.We are disappointed with the two goals we conceded late on but for the majority of the game, the players gave everything and that is all you can ask.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: England 2-2 Spain Wembley talking points Player ratings Southgate: Ive fulfilled remit ' ' '