RIGA, Latvia — Elias Valtonen scored eight factors within the closing 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, however it was Finland that got here up with the large pictures late to spring the largest upset of the event to date.
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 method 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 did not come prepared,” mentioned Jokic, whose crew trailed 11-1 early. “I simply wasn’t prepared from the bounce.”
It was Finland’s first win over Serbia since 2009. The Serbs got here into the event as one of many favorites however exit 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 effectively, we watched movie, nonetheless they managed to simply be higher and extra bodily than us,” the Denver Nuggets star mentioned.
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, and 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 because of Ludvig Hakanson’s 3-pointer with just 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 taking pictures struggles
Portugal led 32-31 at halftime and trailed by just one level after three quarters earlier than Germany restricted it to simply seven factors the remainder of the best way.
The Germans struggled to take care of Boston Celtics heart Neemias Queta, who had 18 factors and 11 rebounds.
Germany captain Dennis Schroder, 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 taking pictures 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.
What’s arising subsequent?
Turkey will play both Poland or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a spot within the semifinals. 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.
