Finland Secure Second Round Spot in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

Lauri Markkanen absent as Finland top Group G with two games to spare

Finland qualify for FIBA World Cup Second Round with wins over Belgium, coach Lassi Tuovi reflects on Miikka Muurinen's struggles.

Finland's victories in Belgium and at home secure safe passage to Second Round...

Finland secured their spot in the Second Round of FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification with a pair of wins over Belgium, topping Group G in the process. The victories have put them in a strong position, with three wins from four games.

Finland's turnaround in form is impressive – they've bounced back from a loss to Hungary with three straight wins, including the recent Belgium victories. 

The Wolfpack picked up a 71-66 win in Charleroi on 27th February, followed by a 78-75 home win against Belgium in Espoo on 1st March. These results secured their spot in the next stage of European qualification with two games to spare.

In the second game, Belgium pushed hard for a late comeback thanks to Vrenz Bleijenbergh's pair of three-pointers in the final minute. Finland managed to weather the storm, relying on free throws from Mikael Jantunen and Edon Maxhuni to seal the win.

Belgium had a chance to force overtime, but Bleijenbergh's third three-pointer in the dying seconds didn't fall, and Finland held on for the win. 

Finland had to do without their NBA star Lauri Markkanen, who's with the Utah Jazz, for these matches. They also struggled to get Miikka Muurinen into the game, with the teenager limited to just eight minutes in each match.

Muurinen's lack of court time in recent weeks at Partizan seemed to be a factor, and Finland had to rely on other players to step up. 

Miikka Muurinen, one of the breakout stars at last summer's EuroBasket, struggled in the Belgium matches, scoring just one point away and two at home. His lack of form was evident, and Finland's head coach Lassi Tuovi wasn't pleased.

“We (coaches) need to look in the mirror. When you haven't played for a long time, you should try to keep it as simple as possible,” Tuovi said, taking responsibility for Muurinen's limited impact. 

🐺 SUSIJENGI ADVANCE 🇫🇮

Finland is the first country to qualify for the Second Round of the #FIBAWC European Qualifiers!

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— FIBA Basketball World Cup 🏆 (@FIBAWC) March 1, 2026

However, Tuovi also took aim at the scheduling of the qualifiers: “On the other hand, there is the problem of the windows, when we cannot practice with these fives, when someone comes from the Euroleague game a little earlier.

“This sounds like an explanation, but Miika's strength was in the European Championships, when he always knew the five where he could play and shine.”

Read Also: Sweden Snatches Win in Tallinn, Keeps World Cup Hopes Alive

Finland wraps up their Group G campaign in July with matches against Hungary at home and France away, aiming to keep their momentum going into the Second Round of World Cup qualification.