Reigning 2022 EuroBasket MVP Willy Hernangomez returns as Spain seeks to defend its EuroBasket title, while Lauri Markkanen leads Finland’s pursuit of glory on home soil.
The final 12-man rosters are set for reigning FIBA EuroBasket champion Spain and host Finland, with Willy Hernangomez and Lauri Markkanen headlining their squads for the tournament tipping off later this month.
Hernangomez, the 2022 EuroBasket MVP, anchors La Roja’s title defense along with Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama.
The Spanish lineup also includes Juancho Hernangomez, Dario Brizuela, Sergio De Larrea, Xabi Lopez-Arostegui, Joel Parra, Jaime Pradilla, Josep Puerto, Mario Saint-Supery, Yankuba Sima and Santi Yusta.
Spain’s preparations have been uneven, with just one win in six exhibition games — a victory against Czechia. Their final tune-up ended in a 106-105 overtime loss to reigning world champion Germany, sealed by Dennis Schroder’s game-winner.
La Roja opens Group C play in Limassol, Cyprus, where they will face Greece, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and co-host Cyprus.
Meanwhile, the 2023 NBA Most Improved Player in Markkanen has been in stellar form for Finland, highlighted by a 48-point outburst in a recent friendly.
The Utah Jazz forward averaged 31.7 points in four exhibition wins, including two 40-point games, as the Finns swept Belgium and Poland by an average margin of 19.5 points
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Finland’s roster also features Jacob Grandison, Andre Gustavson, Mikael Jantunen, Miro Little, Alexander Madsen, Edon Maxhuni, Miikka Muurinen, Olivier Nkamhoua, Sasu Salin, Ilari Seppala and Elias Valtonen.
After reaching the quarterfinals in 2022, Finland will try to build on that success as it hosts Group B in Tampere. The Finns open against Sweden before facing Germany, Lithuania, Montenegro and Great Britain.