Overview
- Finland edged Sweden 93-90 in Tampere, with Lauri Markkanen scoring 28 points to offset Ludde Hakanson’s 28 for Sweden.
- Eighteen-year-old Miika Muurinen swung the fourth quarter with an offensive rebound and layup, then a fast-break dunk inside the final five minutes.
- Finland’s offense surged after halftime, hitting 12-of-26 from three to overcome stretches where the team struggled without Markkanen on the floor.
- Edon Maxhuni added 15 points and Mikael Jantunen had 12, as coverage highlighted defensive lapses and Finland’s heavy dependence on its star.
- Finland moves to 1-0 in Group B and faces Great Britain on Aug. 29 before tougher tests against Montenegro, Lithuania and Germany.