Nkamhoua leads the charge as Finland rally past Belgium in Espoo

Finland beat Belgium 78-75 in Group G of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers: Olivier Nkamhoua scored a game-high 23 (7/11 FG, 7/7 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 steals), while Loic Schwartz led Belgium with 19 on 6/9 from three. Finland also got Edon Maxhuni 14 and Mikael Jantunen 12.

The comeback ignited after Finland trailed 34-43 early in the third: Maxhuni’s pull-up three with 1:47 left put Finland ahead 49-47 for their first second-half lead. Finland then closed the quarter with a 10-0 run to take control at 53-47, fueled by 11 points from Nkamhoua plus key work from Alexander Madsen.

In crunch time (4:44), Finland won it 14-6 with Madsen highlighted as the late-game MVP, dominating the glass 8-1 and going 6-of-7 at the line. Belgium’s late scoring came only from three-point shots and they failed to make a two-point field goal in the closing minutes, while Nkamhoua added 3 crunch-time points to seal it.