Finland scores surprising upset over Evan Fournier, France
Evan Fournier had a stellar game for France in their Eurobasket opener. But turnovers and sloppy play allowed Finland to score the upset victory.
Evan Fournier had several occasions where it looked like he would be the hero to save France from a surprising defeat in their first game at Eurobasket. The sloppy game from France kept a very game Finland team in it. Each time it seemed Fournier’s clutch shooting would dig in the dagger, Finland had a response.
France lost control of the game in overtime. And after Fournier tied the game with a 3-pointer with 25.1 seconds left, it came down to France’s defense. And the wild play of Jamar Wilson.
Wilson drove on France’s defense and hit a tough runner with five seconds to play to deliver Finland a surprising 86-84 overtime victory over France in the teams’ opening game at Eurobasket in Helsinki. The home crowd witnessed the emergence of the rising national team’s newest star and scored one of the biggest wins in the young basketball program’s history.
It was in spite of a strong performance overall from Fournier.
Fournier led all scorers with 25 points, making 8 of 15 field goals and seven of his eight free throws. He also added three assists (and could have had more if not for a few missed layups off nice feeds). Fournier struggled a bit early on as France was forcing much of its offense. Fournier fell into the trap he often did in Orlando with the Orlando Magic where he tried to force his own play or slowed the game down rather than attacking quickly.
Once Fournier found his rhythm, though, he was much more effective. The team playing through him and Nando De Colo proved to be extremely effective. France led for much of the game, taking control in the second quarter after a sloppy first quarter.
Finland always seemed to have an answer. And France could never keep its play clean enough for long enough to pull away. Finland cut into a seven-point lead to force overtime in the fourth quarter. Forcing Fournier into some heroics.
Chicago Bulls rookie Lauri Markkanen scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds. He scored many of those baskets late in the game as the young player’s confidence grew. With the crowd firmly behind the home-team in Finland, the energy and momentum was on their side.
France struggled to handle Finland’s pressure and size all game. France committed 23 turnovers in an extremely sloppy game for the team. Starting guard Thomas Huertel struggled especially with five.
Making matters worse, San Antonio Spurs forward Joffrey Lauvergne made just one of his six shots, all around the basket as both he and Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw lacked the mobility to close the paint and keep Lauri Markkanen off the glass or Petteri Koponen from driving to the basket. It was clear to see how much France will miss Jazz center Rudy Gobert this tournament.
Fournier too had his struggles. He often was caught forcing play offensively or allowing the defense to set so he could isolate. That is not where Fournier is most effective. When the team started playing more through De Colo and allowing Fournier to run off screens or involving Fournier more in pick and rolls, he was much more effective.
This is the kind of scoring game to expect from Fournier throughout the tournament. He may not be the primary playmaker — although, he made several nice passes off the pick and roll — he will find ways to score if he is left open and attack well. Fournier did a good job drawing contact throughout the game.
But France ultimately has to feel disappointed with the result from its Eurobasket opener. Even playing in a true road game at Finland, France was extremely sloppy and lacked the focus needed to win a game against a team expected to advance to the knockout round. France has a lot to clean up before its next game.
B-. Evan Fournier’s scoring line speaks for itself — a game-high 25 points, 8-for-15 shooting and 7-for-8 shooting from the foul line. Fournier was aggressive and willing to drive and create. He was drawing contact and getting to the foul line. And when his team needed a big bucket, if France got him the ball, he delivered. Twice.<p>But Fournier often was caught forcing things too much. That was his downfall with the Magic last year. He would drive in too deep or drive sort of wildly into the paint without having many outlets to score. The ball tended to stick when it got to him. Rather than attacking quickly, he often waited a beat, seemingly tentative and allowing the defense to set up.</p><p>Fournier also struggled defensively. There was a series of plays in the third quarter where Finland went to forward Shawn Huff in the post. Huff abused Fournier on the block for several baskets in a row, helping keep Finland in the game when it looked like France was going to pull away. Fournier was otherwise decent defensively. The whole France team struggled to corral Petteri Koponen in pick and rolls and keeping their man in front.</p>. G/F. France. EVAN FOURNIER
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France’s next game in group play will be Saturday against group favorite Greece at 9:30 a.m. ET. All games are available on ESPN3 and the ESPN App.