Few had believed that Finland would be able to get past Nikola Jokic and his Serbia in the European Championship eighth finals. But when the match was over, it was Finland that had won the match with 92–86.
Now they are being praised by the entire basketball world.
The European Championship organizer's official account on X calls the match "one of the biggest upsets in basketball history".
American ESPN states that Finland's victory is the tournament's biggest surprise so far, while The Athletic calls the match a "historic upset".
The biggest win in Finland's basketball history, says SVT's expert Nick Rajacic.
"The Miracle in Riga"
Serbia took Olympic Games bronze in Paris last summer and just lost the last World Championship final to Germany. That they were one of the top favorites to win the European Championship was no secret.
An incredibly unbelievable effort by the guys. All players were needed today. This is what the game looks like when the teamwork works, says Finland's NBA star Lauri Markkanen according to Finnish Yle.
In their home country, the praise did not wait.
"A giant has been defeated. A sensation for the ages", writes Ilta-Sanomat.
"The Miracle in Riga", writes Iltalehti.
"The upset that shakes the entire European Championship", states Hufvudstadsbladet.
Serbian Criticism
In Serbia, the tones are, as expected, somewhat different.
"Catastrophe", writes Nova Sport.
"How dare Finland's best and most insignificant players shock us!?" asks Sportal.
The Serbian national team coach Svetislav Pešić was brief after the match:
What can I say?
Superstar Nikola Jokic was the top scorer in the match, but could not take his team all the way.
We knew what they did, we were well prepared, we watched videos, yet they managed to be better and more physical than us, he says according to ESPN.
In the quarterfinals, Finland will face either France or Georgia.
