Finland Stuns Serbia to Reach EuroBasket Quarterfinals
In one of the most shocking upsets in EuroBasket history, Finland eliminated Serbia with a 92–86 victory in the Round of 16. The win propelled Finland into the quarterfinals, marking their first appearance at this stage in consecutive tournaments.
Game Highlights
- Lauri Markkanen led Finland with 29 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists, showcasing his all-around prowess.
- Elias Valtonen delivered a clutch performance, scoring 10 of his 13 points in the final 4:07 of the game, including a decisive three-pointer that gave Finland an 82–78 lead.
- Nikola Jokić scored 33 points for Serbia, but his efforts were not enough to overcome Finland’s late-game surge.
- Finland capitalized on offensive rebounds, securing 20 compared to Serbia’s 10, which contributed to their victory.
Significance
This upset is considered one of the biggest in EuroBasket history, as Finland, ranked 20th globally, defeated the second-ranked Serbian team, which was a favorite to win the tournament. Finland’s coach, Lassi Tuovi, expressed pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing their underdog status and their belief in achieving big dreams.
Finland will face Georgia in the quarterfinals, another team that has exceeded expectations by defeating France. This sets the stage for a highly anticipated match between two teams looking to make a deep run in the tournament.
