Finland have maintained their 100 percent record on home soil at EuroBasket 2025 and qualified for the Round of 16 with two matches to spare, beating Montenegro 85-65 in Tampere to leave the Balkan side on the brink of elimination.<\/p>\n
Lauri Markkanen<\/a> has been in sparkling form in front of his home crowd, none more so than with the 43 points he scored last night<\/a> against Great Britain<\/a>, following Finland<\/a>‘s opening-night success<\/a> against neighbours Sweden<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Utah Jazz man would not put up such startling numbers this time, but his 26-point haul was the difference maker at Nokia Arena.<\/p>\n Six of those 26 came in the first quarter, which neither side really took control of, as the lead changed hands 11 times and neither team held a lead greater than three points. Inevitably, the scores were tied at 23-23 after 10 minutes.<\/p>\n Two two-point baskets from Igor Drobnjak<\/a> saw Montenegro<\/a> began the second quarter going four points clear, but the Finns hit back with a 15-2 run that put them in firm control, with Sasu Salin<\/a>, Miikka Muurinen<\/a> and Elias Valtonen<\/a> all getting in on the act.<\/p>\n Following that run, Finland never again gave up the lead which at one point stood at 13, before they were forced to settle for a 47-37 advantage at half-time.<\/p>\n In the third quarter, Markkanen put up his best 10-minute spell with nine points, most of which came from the free throw line as Montenegro could not contend with the 2.13m player. <\/p>\n The lead was extended to 18 points and though the men in red and gold rallied, the final four points went to the Wolfpack, giving them a 67-52 lead with 10 minutes to play.<\/p>\n There was no let up from Lassi Tuovi’s team with the home crowd behind them, especially in defence as they allowed just 13 points against them in the final quarter, as they briefly went 22 points ahead before Marko Simonovic<\/a> added the final scores of the match, Finland triumphing 85-65<\/a>.<\/p>\n Andrija Slavkovic<\/a> made the best scoring contribution for Montenegro, with 15 points. Markkanen also led the match in rebounds, with 13, one clear of the Chicago Bulls<\/a>‘ Nikola Vucevic<\/a>. Edon Maxhuni<\/a>‘s six assists was not bettered over the course of the evening.<\/p>\n Finland face a stern test<\/a> in the form of Lithuania<\/a> on Monday as they look to preserve their unbeaten run and earn a more favourable Round of 16 tie. Montenegro must beat Sweden in their next game<\/a> to stand any chance of going through.<\/p>\n