Serbia, widely regarded as the top contenders for the EuroBasket 2025 title, suffered a stunning elimination in the Round of 16. Nikola Jokić and his squad were decisively defeated by Lauri Markkanen`s Finland with a final score of 92-86 on Saturday, marking a significant upset in the tournament.
Jokić delivered a phenomenal individual performance, tallying 33 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals, on an incredibly efficient 9-of-13 shooting from the field. Miami Heat forward Nikola Jović also made a strong contribution with 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists. However, the rest of the Serbian team struggled considerably, underscoring the critical impact of Bogdan Bogdanović`s absence. Beyond Jokić and Jović, the remaining players collectively managed just 33 points on a subpar 11-of-35 (31.4%) shooting.
Bogdanović, an eight-year NBA veteran and a pivotal player for the national team, sustained a hamstring tear during Serbia`s group stage victory against Portugal. This injury necessitated his return to the United States for treatment. While his absence dealt a major blow to Serbia`s championship hopes, their early departure from the tournament was largely unexpected.
Finland`s impressive performance should not be diminished by Serbia`s injury challenges. The Finns started the game with remarkable intensity, quickly building a double-digit lead within the first three minutes. Despite Serbia`s efforts to mount a comeback, even briefly taking a six-point lead early in the second half, Finland displayed unwavering resolve and refused to yield.
The game concluded with a nail-biting finish, featuring 15 lead changes and eight ties. Crucially, Elias Valtonen provided Finland with a late surge, scoring a timely putback and a three-pointer in the final 90 seconds. Lauri Markkanen then cemented the victory by converting free throws.
“Amazing night. What can I say. We just believed in each other today and just made it happen,” Valtonen stated. “You have to shoot the ball when you are open. A couple of looks came to me, they left me open, so I just stepped up and shot with confidence.”
Markkanen, widely considered Finland`s most accomplished basketball player and the sole NBA All-Star from his nation, delivered a career-defining performance on this grand stage. Although he reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament with Arizona, his eight-year NBA career has yet to include a playoff appearance, with his closest being two Play-In Tournament games with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022.
His dominant display against Serbia on Saturday—amassing 29 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals—powerfully demonstrated why the Utah Jazz are so committed to building their team around him during their ongoing rebuild.
Historically, Finland`s highest finish at EuroBasket was sixth place, achieved in 1967 when they hosted the competition. To reach the Final Four for the first time, they must achieve another significant upset in Tuesday`s quarterfinals, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the France vs. Georgia match.
Conversely, Serbia will once again lament a disappointing result in a major international tournament. Their history includes losses in the finals of the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 Olympics, EuroBasket 2017, and the 2023 World Cup. A particularly bitter memory is their squandering of a 17-point lead against the United States in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics last summer, which ultimately led to a bronze medal finish.
