Finland EuroBasket semi-finals hopes became reality for the first time after a 93–79 victory over Georgia in Riga on Wednesday. The Nordic team extended its historic tournament run, having already stunned Serbia in the previous round. Lauri Markkanen led the charge with 17 points and four blocks, dominating both ends of the court.
The Chicago Bulls forward has averaged 26 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during the tournament, establishing himself as the central figure in Finland’s breakthrough. Finland maintained control for most of the game, though Georgia reduced the deficit in the third quarter before Finland regained momentum. Key plays by Elias Valtonen, including two crucial three-pointers in the closing minutes, sealed the win.
The Finnish squad, known as Susijengi or the Wolf Pack, has long been associated with ice hockey, making this men’s basketball run a major shift in Finnish sporting prominence. Around 5,000 Finnish fans attended the match at the Xiaomi Arena in Riga, forming the majority of the slightly over 6,000-strong crowd. One of the tournament highlights came from 18-year-old Miikka Muurinen, who completed a dunk in the second quarter assisted by Markkanen. The play quickly went viral on social media and was highlighted by international media. Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet described Finland’s rise as inspiring, while German outlet Bild focused on Muurinen, nicknamed Slim Jesus, and previewed a potential semi-final clash with Germany.
Finland’s defense successfully limited Georgia’s NBA stars, Goga Bitadze and Sandro Mamukelashvili, who had been averaging 16.2 and 14.2 points per game, respectively. Markkanen emphasized the team’s focus after the game, stating, “We’ve stayed focused. Every win builds our belief.” Georgia had entered the match fresh off their own upset over France, but Finland’s tactical discipline kept them below their usual output. The victory continues a breakthrough tournament for Finland, with FIBA posting in all capitals on social media: HISTORY FOR SUOMI. It also marked the first time Finland will compete for a European basketball medal. The semi-final opponent will be decided after the remaining quarter-finals, with Germany or Slovenia among the possible matchups. Finland’s performance in the 2025 EuroBasket signals a new era for Nordic basketball, showcasing emerging talent, strategic depth, and a growing fan base across Europe.
