RIGA (Latvia) - How do you feel when you shock the world and eliminate the top favorite for the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 title?
Asking Finland that question after upsetting Serbia, the Susijengi players offered a mix of bewilderment at the achievement, firm belief that it would happen and confidence in knowing their journey is not done.
Finland busted everyone's EuroBasket bracket with a 92-86 victory over the Serbs - their first over the powerhouse since 2009 - to reach back-to-back Quarter-Finals for the first time.
When asked to rate this victory in Finland's basketball annuls, superstar Lauri Markkanen said after his 29-point outing: "It’s up there... We had a few difficult days, but this shows the spirit of the team and that we can overcome these."
Finland head coach Lassi Tuovi was hesitant to compare this victory to others in Finland's past.
"We are very proud to knock out one of the favorites for the title who play great basketball. But I don't think it's even fair to compare this to the others which is bigger. But this is a big one for us and for Finnish basketball," he said.
Sasu Salin has been part of Finland's rise in the last six EuroBaskets from the country's first continental appearance in 16 years in 2011 to now upsetting one of the giants in the game.
"I only realized it in the last 5-10 seconds when I said it out loud," the 34-year-old sniper said about beating Serbia. "It’s a mental thing that you just have to believe. We were David against Goliath today and we really did a great job."
Miro Little stepped up with a 13-8-6 statline, while Elias Valtonen finished off the game for Finland with some massive shots; ending with 13 points after averaging just 4.8 points in the group stage.
"It was an amazing night. We just believed in each other. We were relaxed. Being underdogs was good for us," said the TCL Player of the Game.
Edon Maxhuni has been with the Susijengi for four years and this win is way way up there.
"For me it’s pretty big. Of course we don't compare other teams. But Serbia is a great team with a lot of potential with great players in Europe and the NBA. I like this victory to be honest," he said.
As surprising the result was for the rest of those in Riga and around the world, the Finnish team never doubted themselves.
"People don't appreciate that being in the top 16 here for a small country, or being in the (FIBA Basketball) World Cup, it's not just a walk in the park. We've been working on this. Then you will need to meet and knock out the big countries to achieve the next round. That's how the road should be. Nothing is ever easy," Tuovi said.
"We expected that but nobody else did," said Salin.
And Maxhuni added: "You gotta dream big and be a little crazy. Nobody, not even Finnish media expected us to win this game. We knew we were going to win this game and that’s how you become a little bit delusional."
The victory was definitely hailed back home in Suomi.
The sports media outlet Ruutu Urheilu headlined its coverage with "SENSAATIO" while the Helsinki weekly newspaper Kansan Uutiset wrote: "Riga sensation: "The Wolfpack has captured Serbia!"
"You gotta dream big and be a little crazy."
The Tampere daily 'Aamulehti' headlined its report: "The Susijengi pulled off an all-time miracle – one man rose from the shadows to become a superhero. A lot can change in one flight from Tampere to Riga."
The latter part referring to Valtonen and his disappointing offensive performance in the group stage.
And Helsinki tabloid 'Iltalehti' offered: "Finland humiliated the giants".
Back in Riga, the Finns emphasized their journey is not complete with a Quarter-Finals showdown up-coming against the winner of the France versus Georgia game.
"We're not done yet. But we're gonna enjoy this. That is a heck of a team over there that we just beat. So now we move forward," Markkanen said.
"We’ve always been talking about taking the next steps. Even last EuroBasket we made it to the top eight. We lost to a great team in Spain. And we will face a great team in the top eight again. Who knows, maybe we win that and we go to the medal games. That's the next idea," Salin said.
Tuovi, meanwhile, said it best.
"We are humble about the next one because we know it's a tough road. But underdogs should dream big."
FIBA