Lauri Markkanen delivered one of EuroBasket 2025’s eye‑opening individual performances, scoring 43 points in just 23 minutes as Finland beat Great Britain 109–79 in Tampere. The forward’s scoring profile spanned transition, catch‑and‑shoot threes and face‑up drives, with Finland leveraging early offense to keep Great Britain rotating. By halftime Markkanen had piled up points at a historic pace, and the hosts never looked back in front of a packed Nokia Arena.
Beyond the headline number, Finland benefited from contributions across the rotation that allowed the coaching staff to manage minutes during a crowded group slate. Great Britain competed in pockets—especially when they could set their half‑court defense—but the hosts repeatedly generated advantages in the first eight seconds of possessions. The win aligns with Finland’s aim to secure a favorable Round‑of‑16 seed before hitting a more demanding stretch of fixtures.
Markkanen’s 43 also carries historical weight within EuroBasket scoring lists, putting the “Finnisher” into rare company. Performances like this compress scouting options for opponents: send extra help and open up shooters, or stay home and risk one‑on‑one scoring streaks. Either way, the message from Tampere was clear—Finland’s ceiling rises considerably when its star plays with this level of economy and force.
The group phase runs from August 27 to September 4 across Riga (Group A), Tampere (Group B), Limassol (Group C) and Katowice (Group D). The Round of 16 is single-elimination on September 6–7, followed by quarterfinals on September 9–10, semifinals on September 12, and the final on September 14 in Riga. Twenty-four teams play five group games each, with the top four in every group advancing. These dates and the multi-host setup are defined by FIBA for EuroBasket 2025 and shape the tactical choices teams make during the first week.
