RIGA, Latvia — Elias Valtonen scored eight factors within the ultimate two minutes to assist Finland stun Serbia and Nikola Jokic 92-86 Saturday within the spherical of 16 on the EuroBasket event.
Jokic completed with a game-high 33 factors nevertheless it was Finland that got here up with the massive photographs late to spring the largest upset of the event up to now.
Serbia scored six unanswered factors to take a 77-75 lead within the fourth quarter, however Valtonen’s 3-pointer with two minutes left put the Finns up 82-78. He then added a tip-in and one other trey to assist Finland draw back.
Jokic’s 3-pointer from manner out with 16 seconds left pulled Serbia inside 5, however Finland simply noticed out the win.
“They performed an amazing recreation. From the beginning, we didn’t come prepared,” stated Jokic, whose group trailed 11-1 early. “I simply wasn’t prepared from the soar.”
It was Finland’s first win over Serbia since 2009. The Serbs got here into the event as one of many favourites, however exited within the spherical of 16 for the second straight time.
Finland completed with 20 offensive rebounds, which Jokic known as “simply unacceptable.”
“We knew what they have been doing, we ready properly, we watched movie, nonetheless they managed to simply higher and extra bodily than us,” the Denver Nuggets star stated.
Lauri Markkanen led Finland with 29 factors and Valtonen completed with 13. Within the quarterfinals, Finland will face both Olympic silver medalist France or Georgia, who play on Sunday.
Earlier Saturday, Turkey, Germany and Lithuania additionally superior.
NBA All-Star Alperen Sengun scored 24 factors as Turkey held off Sweden to win 85-79. World Cup winner Germany struggled early in opposition to Portugal earlier than pulling away for an 85-58 victory, whereas Lithuania withstood a late comeback try and beat event co-host Latvia 88-79 in Riga. Arnas Velicka led three-time champion Lithuania with 21 factors and 12 assists.
Sengun, a ahead with the Houston Rockets, added 16 rebounds and 6 assists in a stellar efficiency in opposition to Sweden, which drew stage at 76-76 due to Ludvig Hakanson’s 3-pointer with slightly below three minutes left.
Hakanson led the Swedes with 16 factors, whereas Panathinaikos ahead Cedi Osman chipped in with 17 factors for Turkey.
Germany overcomes capturing struggles
Portugal led 32-31 at halftime and solely trailed by one level after three quarters earlier than Germany restricted them to simply seven factors the remainder of the best way.
The Germans struggled to cope with Boston Celtics heart Neemias Queta, who had 18 factors and 11 rebounds.
Germany captain Dennis Schröder, who confronted racial abuse throughout a recreation in opposition to Lithuania per week in the past, and Franz Wagner each scored 16 factors regardless of capturing a mixed 0 for 11 from 3-point vary. Within the first half, Germany made only one of 18 makes an attempt from past the arc.
A second’s silence was held earlier than tipoff in reminiscence of the victims of the Lisbon streetcar accident in Portugal.
Turkey will play both Poland or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a spot within the semifinals, whereas Germany will tackle both Italy or Slovenia, which boasts the in-form Luka Dončić, and Lithuania faces Greece or Israel.
The remaining last-16 matches are on Sunday.
Defending champion Spain was eradicated Thursday within the group stage by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greece.
The quarterfinals start Tuesday.
