Finland beats Georgia in quarter finals of EuroBasket
This is the story of a country that invites itself to the big table! Finland decided this Wednesday to make a noise on the floors of Europe and to venture where few went. For the first time in its history, the Finns qualified for the EuroBasket semifinals with a non-call score of 93-79. A win forged with three-point bombs, with an insolent 17/31 behind the arch. Yes, Finland has turned a dream into reality.
A dream journey
Pour Sasu Salin, capitaine et vétéran qui dispute son sixième EuroBasket, le moment a une saveur particulière. Quatorze ans après ses débuts, il savoure une scène qu’il n’aurait jamais imaginée. « C’est comme un rêve », souffle-t-il, les yeux encore brillants. Et ce rêve a pris une vraie dimension dès les huitièmes, avec un coup de tonnerre : une victoire face à la Serbie, grande favorite et machine de guerre continentale.
This success was not just a simple upset. It was the sign that Finland was no longer just a sympathetic outsider, but a real poison for giants.
A welded collective and a star on fire
But if the Finnish dream exists, it is because the collective lives. The team breathes together, defends together, explodes with joy together. And at the center of this virtuous circle, a man: Lauri Markkanen. The strong winger NBA plays as if he had decided to rewrite the standards of his country. Since the beginning of the tournament, he has had 24.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Elite numbers, but above all a leadership attitude.
Around him, the snipers draw without trembling, the role players fulfill their mission with discipline, and Salin continues to embody the soul of this team. « After beating Serbia, we knew we had accomplished something great. », he explains. But nobody wants to stop there.
German wall in semifinal
Next obstacle: Germany. Undefeated logre of the tournament, which just extinguished Luka Dontic and Slovenia (99-91). The challenge seems immense. The Germans have power, experience and a deep reservoir.
But in the eyes of the Finns, no sign of resignation. « We're going to tackle this semifinal with the intention of winning », hammer Salin. « We'll get ready, make adjustments, and play to win. » No complex. No fear.
The appointment of a generation
Friday, 4:00 pm, Arena Riga. The basketball planet will have its eyes on this unlikely duel. Can Finland still shock Europe? Can she continue writing a story that seemed unimaginable a few months ago?
Quoi qu’il arrive, cette épopée restera déjà comme une pierre blanche dans l’histoire sportive du pays. Mais si les « Susijengi » — la meute de loups — venaient à renverser l’Allemagne, ce ne serait plus un conte de fées. Ce serait une révolution.
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