Spain arrived at EuroBasket with the weight of a legacy on its shoulders, a team expected to contend for medals even if the path was proving tougher than anticipated. Berlin stood as the stage where their status would be tested, and the match against Finland became a reminder that this squad could still conjure moments of brilliance when it mattered most. A 100-90 victory showed their resilience, a win that cemented their spot in the semifinals for the eleventh time and set up a classic showdown between Greece and Germany to determine the opponent in the next round.
Willy Hernangómez delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with 27 points and 5 rebounds. Juancho Hernangómez contributed 15 points, Brizuela added 14, and the evergreen Rudy Fernández chipped in 11. It was a collaborative effort that allowed Spain to flip a game they trailed by 15 points, climbing back with a dominant second half that reestablished their rhythm and confidence.
start the nerves
From the opening whistle, Finland made it clear that reaching the top eight would not be handed over easily. They played with the freshness and joy that had characterized their play throughout the tournament, matching Spain’s intensity and striking early with an 8-2 run. The momentum didn’t pause as the Finns settled into a bold, upright style. While the Baltic star Lauri Markkanen drew attention, he did not have to shoulder the burden alone. In fact, the first comfortable lead came while he was still on the bench, as Finland’s lineup, led by long-tenured veterans and a fearless belief in offense, built a strong start with open looks and smart ball movement.
The noise from the court rose with every well-executed possession, a testament to Finland’s heart and the collective effort of players such as Sasu Salin, whose experience in European leagues helped stabilize the attack. It was a display that interrogated Spain’s defense and forced the team into tempos and decisions they hadn’t anticipated. The social moment on the court—moments like the shout for a clutch moment and a buzzer-beater post—captured the electric atmosphere of EuroBasket and the sense that anything could happen on a given night. The reaction on social media reflected the drama of the moment and the global reach of the competition.
Spain faced questions that hadn’t emerged in earlier stages. Doubts from the fans and media about plan execution and pace created a pressurized environment. There was impatience at times, quick decisions that bordered on reckless, and a tendency toward excess in some individual plays. Yet the group found its footing as the game wore on and the tempo adjusted to the rhythm Finland dictated with its aggressive ball pressure.
Some highlights of the Finnish approach included five open players on the floor, a curious absence of a true center at times, and a high percentage from beyond the arc, wearing down the Spaniards with constant movement and precision shooters. The dynamic posed a challenge to the Spanish game plan, but the resilience of the visiting team shined through as the evening progressed.
Willy Hernangómez and his teammates fed energy into the arena with sustained effort and moments of decisive execution that reminded spectators of the trust the team places in its core players. The battle embodied not just a game but a test of mental strength and the readiness to elevate performance when the stakes rise.
WILLYYYYY and the energy around EuroBasket continued to echo in the arena as fans shared their enthusiasm online, a reminder of the tournament’s dramatic appeal and the power of a single standout performance to shift momentum. The social clips from EuroBasket and the bite of the highlights underscored how team spirit, along with individual excellence, can turn the tide in a high-stakes matchup.
The momentum began to tilt as Spain’s defense tightened and the offense found sharper purpose. In the late stages, Spain’s compact defense, paired with timely scoring from veteran leaders and a renewed willingness to push the pace, created a margin that Finland could not close. The decisive closing minutes saw Brizuela and Rudy Fernández contribute crucial defensive stops and timely scoring, allowing Spain to seal a 30-15 run that shifted the balance and ensured victory as the clock melted away.
Finland’s late spark did little to erase the impression of Spain’s growth through adversity. The team demonstrated a capacity to reset under pressure, to rally after a rocky first half, and to lean on experience when the moment demanded it. The semifinal fate was sealed through collective effort, a testament to a squad that could adapt, respond, and execute under pressure. The win not only kept Spain on course for a podium finish but reinforced the sense that their legacy in this tournament remains intact, built on a blend of veteran leadership, technical skill, and a shared, relentless pursuit of victory.