Finland completed a qualifying window sweep of Belgium, winning 71-66 on the road on February 28, 2026. This crucial head-to-head result gives Finland a significant advantage over their direct rival in the race for World Cup qualification. In a gritty, defensive-minded affair, Finland once again showed their resilience, leading for most of the game but never by a comfortable margin. Belgium fought back to tie the game early in the fourth quarter, but Finland responded with a 7-0 run fueled by steals and transition baskets. Belgium's offense struggled against Finland's switching defense in the final minutes, committing several costly turnovers. The standout performance came from Finland's defensive anchor, who protected the rim and altered numerous shots. Securing two wins against Belgium in the same window is a massive step toward qualification for Finland and a severe setback for the Belgian campaign. The Finnish coach called it a "program-defining" road victory.