Finland Stuns Serbia in EuroBasket Upset: Can Jokić Lead Serbia to Title Contention in 2029?
Serbia's hopes of winning the EuroBasket title were dashed after a 92-86 defeat to Finland in the round of 16. Elias Valtonen's late-game heroics led Finland to victory, with Lauri Markkanen also delivering an impressive performance with 29 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Despite Nikola Jokić's 33-point effort for Serbia, it was not enough to avoid the upset.
This loss marks the second consecutive EuroBasket in which Serbia has been eliminated in the round of 16. With the next EuroBasket scheduled for 2029, questions arise about whether Serbia's chances of winning the title with Jokić on the team have passed. However, Jokić's versatile playing style suggests that he can continue to excel as he ages into his 30s.
Finland now awaits the winner of the match between France and Georgia in the quarterfinals. France, ranked fourth in FIBA's world rankings, suffered a loss to Israel in the group stage. Considering Finland's recent victory over Serbia, they are unlikely to be intimidated by any opponent in the next round.