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France, who else ?


:o

Finland, anyone? ;)
But in all honesty, of course if our countries would meet during playoffs, yours would be a significant favorite.

However, what I like in this current tournament format, is that it's a 'one match decides it all'-playoff format, and for example Poland was able to shock everyone previously by ending 4th in the whole Championship competition (which, in addition to many other Polish people, must have been a great moment of joy for Rajdersi's Paul George!).

Back to off-topic for a short while:
It seems nobody jumped with me on this boat, but after such a historical match result yesterday which sealed my prediction, I don't mind. ;)

You're right. Finland beat Serbia with a great game.
I unfortunately missed the game between Georgia and France. OK, France had some big guys out of the tournament, but Georgia made a big upset too.

You're right. Finland beat Serbia with a great game.
I unfortunately missed the game between Georgia and France. OK, France had some big guys out of the tournament, but Georgia made a big upset too.

Yes, fantastic performance indeed... Match of a lifetime for a Finnish basketball fan, but same can be said about win over Georgia. :)

I agree, and while I didn't check betting odds before France vs. Georgia match, I personally considered Georgia a big underdog against France.

It tells something in my opinion, that Finland was then actually a 5 point favorite to win their semifinal (vs. Georgia), and I don't think they would've been favorites against France. France is always very tough team to beat (not impossible of course, but hard), even if they wouldn't have 100% optimal roster.

Not sure how we managed to come 3rd (in group).
Dead stop now for sure vs hungry opponent.

We have been awful inactive. First season we have missed fixing scrimmages for training.
That is so bad for a homegrown team.
Work related.

Newbie us have fixed play-off match :)

Very well done, Spela, for the success and for the fact that you have indeed organized first ever Playoff match for your team!

3rd in a Regular Season in your first ever season is excellent achievement, and I'd expect your Second Round match to be very interesting and even against Suuret Muinaiset. You beat them by 1 (!) point during Regular Season, but now you have a home court advantage, so let's see how much that (and other possible roster/tactical changes) affect to the result!

Nevertheless, it will be now decided in HB vs. SUM if it's Sweden or Finland who first in history reaches Medal Games in HGL!

I know how you feel about the missed training, as Paul George mentioned most of us (I think all of us) have been there. I think you'll reach your goals, if you can get back to the regular (3 matches per week) training schedule ASAP.

And if you can afford, you can always hire better coach for a while who will make up to some of your missed training ;)

Last edited by Wagner at 9/12/2025 3:30:03 AM

Well, Estonia left the tournament without advancing from the group. Especially in the last game against Portugal, where everything was on the line, they did not manage to keep up the intensity. Extreme disappointment to a nation that considers basketball the main national sport.

But there were several interesting (or upsetting) games throughout the tournament, especially the finnish performance against Serbia. Though, now Finland faces probably the best team in Europe currently and after having lost the group game against Germany, it will definitely be interesting how both teams will go into the game, considering that the last 2 games Germany was really struggling for large portions of the game.

If I had to bet right now, I would say that my second home, Germany, would have the upper hand and could win the whole tournament.

I believe that Germany is the best team in Europe, BUT :
- Jokic + crazy shooters + good hands inside players
- Greece at home (at the beginning of the championships)

- France is remaking a team (and a coach, don't forget it !)
- Spain is ... out ???
- Slovenia would make 1/4 finals often, but not very much more

Now, I haven't seriously followed this eurobasket and I don't know very well all the non-participants, except for France (Wemby) because of NBA.
My favourite now is Germany, because of this awful clown named Schröeder (I don't like him, but what a player !) and the Wagner brothers.

Ah SUM is finnish team - darn they so good now in basketball :)
Yes I saw the 1p win. This time around for sure loss.
Finland on a roll!

Trainer is to keep old to not age.

I got boycot from last time in top div.

Been like that all times.
Sad way to do the game.
They should keep tabs on from where you come (under) and look at the entire season and lower the demands on a new team.

Yes, France with Wemby alone would definitely have been terrifying for any other team.

What I think that Germany's strength right now is the depth of the team. They don't really have to rely on one or a couple of superstars to perform (although Schröder and Wagner do stand out). Instead they have really decent players for every position, with 3-4 players coming from the bench, who are also able to perform nicely. And they are also missing a couple of strong players from the squad.

As I said, if I had to bet, my money would be on Germany, but personally I am rooting for our good neighbors from the north and hope that Markkanen will carry them through to the final.