Finland were one of the national teams of 2025, causing multiple shocks to finish fourth at EuroBasket 2025, yet their first Group G match in World Cup qualification ended in an 89-82 loss away to Hungary on Friday.
But back in front of their home crowd in Espoo, the Wolfpack produced another memorable victory to draw level atop the standings with France. The visitors were missing their NBA talent, but so were Finland, who were without Lauri Markkanen.
A tight opening quarter ended with the home side a point ahead, before France came out firing at the start of the second, scoring the first nine points for a 28-20 advantage.
The visitors, ranked number four in the world, maintained an eight-point advantage until half-time, before the Finns only made minor inroads in the third quarter.
However, the home side came roaring back in the final quarter, as Elias Valtonen and Edon Maxhuni inspired a comeback, before Mikael Jantunen and Sasu Salin took Finland on a 10-0 run that saw them turn a 72-67 deficit into a five-point lead with two minutes to play.
Finland did enough in the final moments to keep France at bay, eventually winning by seven, 83-76. Maxhuni top scored with 20 points, while Jantunen led the game in both assists and rebounds.
The campaign continues in late February and early March, when Finland will play home and away against Belgium.
Follow all the latest FIBA World Cup qualifying results on Flashscore.