Arena Riga in Latvia will host potentially historical basketball at some point on September 12th, 2025. With a full house, Germany, FIBA World Cup champions, will take the floor in pursuit of another European title. They will face a team that has never been this far before in Finland. The Finnish team boasts heart, mental toughness, and the emergence of Lauri Markkanen.

It’s not just another game. It’s the story of tradition versus developing story, power versus underdog. With a semi-final involving two nations whose respective histories in basketball have rarely crossed, for Germany, the hope for glory is alive; for Finland, the chance to be written into history beckons. One will move on. 

Germany earned a ticket to the semi-final the hard way. During their quarterfinal against Slovenia, it appeared at times that Luka Dončić was going to carry his side to victory with the potential to end Germany’s campaign single-handedly. Dončić dropped a staggering 39 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, forcing highly rated German defenders to play to an unknown level of excellence.

But champions know how to suffer with it and survive. In the crucial moment, Franz Wagner's composure and Dennis Schröder's execution shot ended up being difference-makers. Despite missing eight 3s on the day, Schröder hit the most important one when it counted, in the 4th quarter, to put Germany ahead for good with a final score of 99-91.

Germany's balance shined through – Wagner scored the game high with 23 points, Schröder scored 20 points and assisted on 7, and Andreas Obst knocked down a momentum-altering 3-pointer to cap a Germany run of 12-0. The World Cup Champions again proved their depth; their resiliency and their championship DNA are valued in crunch time.

Now they will face a renewed Finland in the semifinals. This semifinal is not only about getting to the final but also about proving that their run for the World Cup was not a fluke.

This semifinal puts Finland in uncharted waters. Their 93-79 quarterfinal victory over Georgia was more than simply a victory; it was a national moment of breakthrough. 

Lauri Markkanen, the Utah Jazz forward and Finland's undisputed best star on the floor that night, scored 17 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, while Mikael Jantunen led the offence with 19 points. But the headlines weren't only about the best players for Finland; they were about Finland's bench contributing 44 to Georgia's 4.

That's what's perilous about Finland: they operate as a close-knit group, one that feels more like companions than teammates. "It's akin to returning and joining with your buddies," Jantunen noted post-game. That chemistry, that connection, has taken them further than anyone believed.

Now, against the Germans, Finland understands the challenge is monumental. However, in sport, belief can part the oceans, and the Finns are playing with nothing to lose.

Concerning the head-to-head, history is heavily in favour of Germany; 

But here’s the irony: Finland has increased considerably in performance throughout the knockout rounds. They have increased in shooting efficiency, they have increased bench production, and they have increased connections defensively. Although Germany will probably still be the favourites because of history, recent dominance does not always guarantee success with stakes so high.

This game very well could be Markkanen vs Wagner, two young NBA players leading their countries with pride.

For bettors, this semifinal also gives a lot of angles to consider.

Germany should advance; however, Finland has shown to be a very tough and resilient opponent. I expect a vastly different game that will be much closer than the 30-point blowout in the group stage.

Germany come in as massive favourites – the star power, depth, and clutch performance cannot be overlooked. Finland will not go away easily; they have proven to be tough competitors with unity.

A Night of Destiny in Riga on September 12th, 2025: Arena Riga is going to witness a matchup between two nations with two different basketball stories. Poland’s primary objective is to retain the titles. Finland sees the game as an opportunity to showcase their capabilities as the underdog. It is safe to say the semi-final of EuroBasket 2025 is more than just any other game, it is a story filled with hopes, perseverance, and the touch of our culture’s enchantment that only sports can bring.