By Michalis Gioulenoglou/ info@eurohoops.net
Riga, Latvia – After a 3-2 run in Tampere and ranking third in Group B of the preliminary round, Finland knocked out Serbia in the Round of 16 and Georgia in the Quarterfinals, before losing efforts opposite Germany and Greece to settle outside the EuroBasket 2025 podium and in fourth place.
“We learned a lot and were able to compete against the big teams. It’s about winning, so we’re proud of what we did. Of course, today we are disappointed,” Lassi Tuovi talked about the third-place game against Greece in Xiaomi Arena on Sunday, “I’m feeling very bitter about missing the opportunity to bring the first medal.”
“We have shown it many times that we can do it. They never give up, and unfortunately, it was one shot away,” he praised his players for nearly coming back from a 17-point deficit in the last four minutes of the fourth quarter.
With 5.2 seconds on the clock, Elias Valtonen missed an opportunity to tie with a free throw. Off on an offensive rebound, Mikael Jantunen misfired a putback.
“Sometimes we miss shots. We don’t plan to miss and play for the win,” the 38-year-old Finnish tactician rejected a question about intentionally missing from the charity stripe to secure an opportunity to win, “Next time we’re gonna make that shot.”
In the third-place contest, Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a 30-point, 17-rebound double-double, alongside six assists, two blocks, and one steal.
“Of course, it’s very complicated. And he was very, very unselfish in certain situations to move the ball and find his teammates. That’s why it’s complicated to play such a good team because they also played together as we did,” said the play-caller of Finland.
With Tuovi at the helm, the senior national team of his country went from 7th in EuroBasket 2022 and 21st in FIBA World Cup 2023 to fourth in EuroBasket 2025.
”I’m like super thankful for the people who trust us,” noted the Lappeenranta native, “The system in Finland with the federation and people has built around the youth national teams and everything. We can be proud of this successful tournament once again. It would not be possible without that effort.”