In a stunning turn of events at the EuroBasket tournament, Finland has defeated Serbia, led by NBA superstar Nikola Jokic, in the Round of 16. The upset victory marks a significant achievement for Finnish basketball and a disappointing exit for one of the tournament’s favorites.

Key Takeaways

  • Finland secured a historic 92-86 victory over Serbia in the EuroBasket Round of 16.
  • Nikola Jokic posted a game-high 33 points for Serbia, but it wasn’t enough.
  • Elias Valtonen was the hero for Finland, scoring eight crucial points in the final two minutes.
  • Finland’s strong offensive rebounding (20 offensive boards) was a key factor in their win.
  • This is Serbia’s second consecutive EuroBasket exit in the Round of 16.

The Upset Unfolds

Finland, ranked 20th in the world, delivered the biggest upset of the tournament so far by overcoming a Serbian team heavily favored to contend for the title. The game saw Finland take an early commanding lead, going up 11-1. While Serbia managed to tie the game in the second quarter, Finland consistently answered, entering the final quarter with a slim 68-66 advantage.

The decisive moments came in the final minutes. After Serbia briefly took a 77-75 lead, Finland launched a 14-4 run to seal the victory. Elias Valtonen was instrumental, hitting a go-ahead three-pointer with under two minutes remaining, followed by a tip-in and another clutch triple that extended Finland’s lead and ultimately secured the win.

Jokic and Serbia’s Disappointment

Despite a stellar performance from Nikola Jokic, who finished with 33 points and eight rebounds, Serbia could not overcome Finland’s resilience and physical play. Jokic himself acknowledged the team’s lack of readiness from the start and pointed to Finland’s offensive rebounding as "unacceptable." This marks another early exit for Serbia in the EuroBasket, having also been eliminated in the Round of 16 in the previous tournament.

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Finland’s Historic Performance

For Finland, this victory is the most significant in the program’s history. Led by NBA All-Star Lauri Markkanen, who contributed 29 points, the Finnish team has now reached the quarterfinals in back-to-back EuroBasket events. Their performance, particularly their ability to out-rebound and out-execute Serbia in critical moments, has earned them widespread praise.

Other Tournament Results

In other Round of 16 matchups, Turkey, with Alperen Sengun scoring 24 points, defeated Sweden 85-79. Germany secured a victory over Portugal, and Lithuania advanced by beating co-host Latvia 88-79. Finland will now face either France or Georgia in the quarterfinals.

Sources

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Emre Emehet
Emre Emehet
Emre Emehet is a 45-year-old journalist from the Balkans, best known for his dedication to telling stories that reflect the everyday lives of people in his region. Growing up in a small town in northern Bosnia, Emre always had an interest in local history and storytelling, which drew him to pursue a degree in journalism and communications at the University of Sarajevo. He wasn’t the top of his class, but his professors admired his practical approach and natural curiosity, qualities that would later define his career.

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