The weight of history has often been too heavy for Finland on the European basketball stage, but in 2025, Lauri Markkanen has shifted the balance . Through seven grueling games at EuroBasket, Markkanen has averaged 24.7 points and 7.9 rebounds , carrying Finland into a semifinal clash against Germany.

The Germans enter this matchup full of confidence, fresh off eliminating Slovenia and Luka Dončić, and boast a roster that combines size, discipline, and relentless physicality. Yet, Finland has shown throughout the tournament that their identity is more than just Markkanen’s brilliance: it’s about resilience, collective execution, and seizing big moments.

The challenge is steep. Germany’s ability to throw multiple defenders at Markkanen while maintaining rim protection and perimeter pr

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