Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen and Finland fell just short of the podium at EuroBasket 2025, losing to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece 92-89 in the bronze medal game.
The defeat left Finland in fourth place, still their highest-ever finish in the country’s near 90 year history in the tournament.
Markkanen, who logged 19 points, ten rebounds, and one assist in the loss, said the campaign proved what his team is capable of.
“We can do anything as a team. We stick together, we play for each other, we play for the country,” Markkanen said after the game, via FIBA. “That’s the one takeaway from this tournament. You never give up, you play for the name on front of the jersey, anything is possible. It wasn’t quite enough today, but it gives us boost and motivation for the future.”
It was Finland’s first-ever trip to the semi-finals, and Markkanen carried them throughout. The 27-year-old averaged 23.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, ranking as the fourth-highest scorer in the entire event behind Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Deni Avdija.
Beyond the numbers, Markkanen also highlighted the challenge of international play compared to the NBA.
“I think there’s both sides to it,” Markkanen said, via HoopsHype. “NBA has the best players in the world in every team, and games are longer so you have more time to score points and stuff. And then — well, of course there is rules that make the NBA easier for that, which is the defensive three-second rule or the not tipping the ball on the top of the rim, which pisses me off here. But yeah, I think there’s both sides to it. And obviously game is really physical here, and sometimes you do get the call, sometimes not. But I think in certain ways, FIBA might be tougher, for sure.”
After a summer of proving himself on the international stage, Markkanen now shifts focus back to the NBA, where he will rejoin the Jazz with training camp beginning in just over two weeks.
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