Finland stuns top-seeded Serbia 92-86 in a historic EuroBasket 2025 upset. Lauri Markkanen shines, while Elias Valtonen delivers clutch heroics to secure the win.
In a jaw-dropping turn of events at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025, Finland toppled tournament favorites Serbia with a stunning 92-86 victory in the Round of 16, bringing an abrupt end to the hopes of the Euro powerhouse.
Markkanen Leads the Charge
Lauri Markkanen delivered a dominant performance, pouring in 29 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. His leadership on both ends marked the foundation of Finland’s surprising upset.
Valtonen’s Clutch Masterclass
While Markkanen shone throughout, the game’s most dramatic moment came from Elias Valtonen, who exploded in the final minutes. He scored 10 of his 12 points late in the fourth quarter, including a dagger three-pointer over Jokic, and added key rebounds and assists to seal the victory.
“Amazing night… We just believed in each other today and just made it happen.”
Elias Valtonen
Defensive Breakdowns: Serbia’s Collapse Centered on Jokic
What made Finland’s run even more shocking wasn’t just the execution on offense, but Serbia’s inexplicable defensive breakdowns—most notably from Nikola Jokic, arguably the best player in the world. In five consecutive possessions, Finland repeatedly exploited Jokic’s positioning, turning small mistakes into decisive points.
Play 1 – Score: 77–75 Serbia
Valtonen catches the ball on the perimeter. Jokic bites on a simple pump fake, leaving the lane wide open. Valtonen drives past him and finishes at the rim for an easy layup.
Play 2 – Score: 77–77
On the very next possession, Valtonen initiates a drive. Markkanen, shadowed by Jokic, flashes from the low post to the free-throw line. Jokic stays planted in the paint, leaving Markkanen completely unguarded. Valtonen dishes the assist, and Markkanen hits the uncontested jumper.
Play 3 – Score: 77–79 Finland
Baseline inbound for Finland. Jokic rotates late to the perimeter, leaving Valtonen wide open on the wing. The Finnish forward calmly drills a deep three, extending the lead.
Play 4 – Score: 81–82 Finland
Markkanen drives and draws a double team. Jokic is caught ball-watching as Valtonen sneaks into rebounding position. He puts back the miss with no contest.
Play 5 – Score: 81–84 Finland
Another baseline inbound. Jokic sags several feet into the paint, daring Valtonen to shoot. With all the confidence of a man in rhythm, Valtonen takes the open shot and buries it, giving Finland a six-point cushion (81–87).
Valtonen’s Perfect Read vs. Serbia’s Flawed Strategy
In just five possessions, Valtonen made five correct reads, producing 10 points and 1 assist—effectively engineering a 12–4 run almost single-handedly. These were not circus shots or lucky bounces; they were the direct result of Serbia’s defensive choices, especially Jokic’s reluctance to step out of his comfort zone.
Was Serbia too focused on shutting down Lauri Markkanen, leaving other Finnish players with space to operate? If so, the gamble backfired spectacularly. By overcommitting on Markkanen, Serbia allowed Valtonen to step into the spotlight, punishing every mistake with composure and efficiency.
Reactions & Ramifications
- Coach Lassi Tuovi expressed pride in the team’s belief, calling the win a monumental moment for Finnish basketball.
- Svetislav Pešić, Serbia’s coach, admitted frustration: “Their 20 offensive rebounds were just unacceptable… they were more physical than us.”
- Markkanen emphasized the collective effort: “It was an unreal performance by the team… We needed every single one of them tonight.”
This historic upset marks Finland’s first win over Serbia since 2009, and the first time they’ve reached back-to-back quarterfinals in EuroBasket history
What’s Next for Finland
Finland now moves on to the EuroBasket quarterfinals, where they’ll face the winner of the France vs. Georgia matchup.
Meanwhile, Serbia’s unexpected exit in the Round of 16 ends their Euros prematurely.
Final Thoughts
What began as a David versus Goliath tale turned into Finland’s crowning basketball moment. A collective effort led by Markkanen’s consistency and Valtonen’s clutch delivery toppled the giants of Serbian basketball. For fans of big underdog stories, this is EuroBasket 2025’s defining moment.
