Finland wins overtime thriller in front of record home crowd

HELSINKI (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Finland defeated France in a pulsating overtime thriller to produce a Group A upset on Day 1. 

In front of a record crowd for basketball in Finland of 12,167, budding superstar Lauri Markkanen was the hero with a hot shooting display in the clutch to finish with 22 points and lead his team to a memorable 86-84 victory. It was sweet revenge for Finland, who lost in overtime to France on the opening day at FIBA EuroBasket 2015. 

Markkanen was joined in the hero stakes by teammate Jamar Wilson, who made the go ahead layup in the dying seconds. Nando de Colo missed on the buzzer for France, who were led by Evan Fournier's 25 points. 

FIBA