Home SPORTS Finland Stuns Georgia, Advances to EuroBasket Semifinals

Finland Stuns Georgia, Advances to EuroBasket Semifinals

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Finland Stuns Georgia, Advances to EuroBasket Semifinals
Finland beats Georgia, reaches semifinals



Finland makes history, advances to EuroBasket semifinals with a 93-79 win over Georgia. Check out the highlights and match stats.


Lauri Markkanen's strong performance early in the third quarter propelled Finland's lead to 20 points...


Finland made history by securing a spot in the EuroBasket semi-finals for the first time, defeating Georgia 93-79 in Riga, Latvia. This thrilling match showcased Finland's determination and skill, as they fought off a strong Georgian comeback. The Finnish team's victory marked a significant milestone in their basketball journey.


Georgia pulled off a massive 90-80 victory over France, rivaling the biggest upset of the tournament. Having barely scraped through Group C in fourth place, Georgia's win showcased their determination and skill. This thrilling match highlighted Georgia's ability to compete against top-tier teams.


The game's early stages saw the lead change hands frequently, with both teams showcasing impressive three-point shooting. Lauri Markkanen and Mikael Jantunen traded shots with Tornike Shengalia and Goga Bitadze, keeping the score neck and neck at 12-12 with 3:43 left to play in the first quarter. However, Finland didn't feature in this part of the story; instead, it seems Georgia and France were the teams involved in this intense matchup.


Meanwhile, Finland's team profile reveals they've been active in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers. With players like Awak Kuier, Elina Koskimies, and Lilli Onnela leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists, Finland's women's team is ranked 64th globally. Their performance in recent games showcases their growth and potential in the basketball world.




Edon Maxhuni played a crucial role in the early stages of the second period, helping to extend the lead to 15 points on two separate occasions. However, the Crusaders began to mount a comeback, narrowing the Finnish advantage to nine points with just under seven minutes left until halftime.


The Wolfpack regained momentum in the latter part of the quarter, with Miikka Muurinen and Jantunen making significant contributions. A powerful slam dunk by Elias Valtonen further solidified Finland's lead, pushing the margin to 20 points. Despite a late three-pointer by Duda Sanadze at the buzzer, Finland maintained a substantial 57-40 lead heading into halftime.




Lauri Markkanen's strong performance early in the third quarter propelled Finland's lead to 20 points. However, Georgia mounted a fierce comeback, with Tornike Shengalia, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Duda Sanadze contributing to a 17-7 run that cut the deficit in half. Despite this, Finland managed to stay ahead, with Maaz Gill getting them past the 70-point mark. Mamukelashvili scored the final three points of the quarter for Georgia, narrowing the gap to 9 points, with the score reading 71-62 in favor of Finland's coach, Lassi Tuovi, with 10 minutes left in the game.




Lassi Tuovi, Finland's national team coach, has had a remarkable career. He's led the team to the EuroBasket semifinals for the first time ever and is now preparing for their next match. Tuovi's coaching philosophy emphasizes building a strong team culture and trusting his players. He's also worked as an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz during the 2023 NBA Summer League and currently coaches the Yokohama B-Corsairs in Japan's B.League.


Finland's success can be attributed to their strong team dynamics, with players like Mikael Jantunen praising Tuovi's ability to build a positive culture and give players freedom when needed. The team's performance showcases their growth and potential in international basketball.




Georgia's head coach, Aleksandar Dzikic, delivered a motivational halftime speech that seemed to energize his players. At the start of the fourth quarter, Georgia surged ahead with a 5-2 run, forcing Finland to call a timeout with 7:44 remaining and reducing Finland's lead to just six points.


Finland's nerves were steadied by Miro Little's crucial three-pointer, which sparked an 8-0 streak. This decisive run was sealed with another three-pointer from Olivier Nkamhoua, effectively extinguishing Georgia's comeback hopes and securing Finland's lead. This pivotal moment shifted the momentum firmly in Finland's favor, allowing them to maintain their advantage and move closer to victory.


Georgia made a strong push in the final five minutes, scoring the next seven points to keep their chances alive. However, Elias Valtonen's back-to-back three-pointers sealed Finland's spot in the semi-finals. The game ended on a high note for Finland, with Edon Maxhuni scoring the final basket – another three-pointer – to make the final score 93-79.


Sandro Mamukelashvili found some consolation in being the top scorer of the game with 22 points, outperforming Mikael Jantunen by three points. On the rebounding front, Salin dominated with seven rebounds, narrowly beating Goga Bitadze's total by one. Miro Little excelled in playmaking, leading the assist charts with an impressive nine assists.


Upcoming Semifinals

The EuroBasket semifinals are set to feature thrilling matchups. Finland, having overcome Georgia, will face the winner of the quarterfinal match between Germany and Slovenia. This crucial game will determine which team advances to the finals. In the other semifinal, Greece will take on Turkey, a team they've had mixed results against in the past. Both semifinal matches are scheduled for Friday, September 12. The Bronze Medal Match and the Final will follow on Sunday, September 14.



Road to Success

Finland's path to the semi-finals was paved with impressive wins, including a stunning 92-86 victory over Serbia in the opening knockout round. This upset, which took place in Finland's own Nokia Arena in Tampere, will be remembered as one of the biggest surprises in international basketball history. The team's performance has been remarkable, with Lauri Markkanen leading the charge with his exceptional scoring abilities.


Next Steps

With their historic win, Finland has advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face tough competition. The team's focus will now shift to preparing for their next match, as they aim to continue their impressive run in the tournament.
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