Finland shocks Serbia, eliminates Jokic from EuroBasket
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RIGA, Latvia — Finland knocked Serbia and two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic out of EuroBasket on Saturday, riding a late surge from Elias Valtonen to a 92-86 victory in the round of 16.
Valtonen scored eight of his 13 points in the final two minutes, including a go-ahead 3-pointer that put Finland ahead 82-78 with exactly two minutes remaining. The forward followed with a tip-in and another long-range shot to seal Finland’s first win over Serbia since 2009.
Jokic poured in a game-high 33 points and trimmed the gap to five with a deep 3-pointer at the 16-second mark, but Serbia never climbed all the way back. The Serbs, considered among the title favorites, exit in the last 16 for the second straight tournament.
Lauri Markkanen led Finland with 29 points, and the Finns dominated the glass with 20 offensive rebounds — a number Jokic labeled “just unacceptable.” Serbia briefly led 77-75 midway through the fourth quarter before Finland’s decisive burst.
Finland will meet either France or Georgia in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.
Other round-of-16 results
Turkey 85, Sweden 79 — NBA All-Star Alperen Sengun recorded 24 points, 16 rebounds and six assists, helping Turkey withstand a late 3-pointer from Ludvig Hakanson that tied the score at 76-76 with under three minutes left.
Germany 85, Portugal 58 — Portugal held a 32-31 halftime edge and trailed by just one after three quarters before Germany limited the underdogs to seven points in the fourth. Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner scored 16 apiece despite combining to shoot 0-for-11 from deep.
Lithuania 88, Latvia 79 — Arnas Velicka delivered 21 points and 12 assists as three-time champion Lithuania survived a late Latvian rally in Riga.
What’s next
Turkey will meet Poland or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place in the semifinals. Germany advances to face Italy or Luka Dončić’s Slovenia, while Lithuania awaits Greece or Israel. The remaining last-16 games are scheduled for Sunday, and quarterfinal play starts Tuesday.
Source: ESPN
