• → Game to take place at Nokia Arena, Tampere on Wednesday, 3 September 2025 at 20:30 Local Time (EEST)
• → Form check: Finland edged 3–1 before falling 78–81 to Lithuania; Germany stayed perfect with a 120–57 blowout of Great Britain (Franz Wagner 18 & 10, Tristan da Silva 25).
• → Context: Co-hosts leaning on Lauri Markkanen’s star turn against the world champions’ depth for Group B’s top seed.

Spotlight on Lauri, stress test for Germany’s machine

The hosts have their superstar playing like one, and the visitors look every inch the defending world champs. This isn’t a scheme clinic; it’s a talent-and-toughness game: who controls tempo, who wins the glass, and whose best player bends the whistle.

Finland: riding the Markkanen wave

Lauri Markkanen has owned this tournament. He hung 43 points in just 23 minutes in a 109–79 win over Great Britain, opened with 28 in the tight victory over Sweden, and powered past Montenegro with 26 points and 13 boards. Everything flows from getting him touches in space—early seals, quick face-ups, and trail threes that force help. When Lauri draws two, the ball has moved crisply to Sasu Salin, Edon Maxhuni and a rotating cast of willing cutters.

Defensively, Finland have been organized and physical, but this is their biggest backcourt test. Gang-rebounding and limiting live-ball turnovers are non-negotiables; they can’t let Germany get easy runouts that erase half a quarter in two minutes.

Germany: depth, shooting, and big-game calm

Germany have looked like a team that’s been here before: nine and ten contributors ready, the ball popping, the shots falling. Dennis Schröder sets the pace, Wagner’s size and skill punish mismatches, and Andreas Obst stretches the floor from deep. The front line—Johannes Thiemann and Daniel Theis—does the dirty work and then some, with da Silva flashing real scoring punch off the bench.

Even with injuries trimming the frontcourt, the identity hasn’t changed: defend without fouling, secure the board, push early, and trust the extra pass. When they keep turnovers down, the scoreboard jumps quickly—ask Great Britain.

Key battlegrounds

• How Germany guards Lauri: Do they live with single coverage and late help, or send quick doubles? Finland need threes and layups off those kick-outs, not long twos.

• Boards and whistles: If Markkanen or Theis/Thiemann pick up early fouls, rotations get uncomfortable. Second-chance points could swing this.

• Guard pressure: Maxhuni vs. Schröder/Lo decides pace. Finland want a half-court game in the low 80s; Germany want to run.

Stakes

Winner likely takes the No. 1 seed in Group B and a softer Round of 16 path. For Finland, it’s a statement that their defense holds up against elite guard play. For Germany, it’s proof the champions’ balance travels—even in Tampere, even when the other team’s best player is the best player on the floor.

How to watch Finland vs Germany

Stream Finland vs Germany live on Courtside 1891 and pick the Max Event Pass for this event window or go Max Annual for year-round access to EuroBasket and other FIBA competitions. Regional availability and blackouts may apply.