EuroBasket qualifying games are often unpredictable and that was certainly the case in Vantaa, Finland on Saturday night.

Taking on Group A favorites Serbia, Division A minnows Finland put disappointing defeats to Bulgaria and Italy behind them and stunned their visitors 80-77 with an incredible night of three-point shooting.

The Finns, who won promotion to the top flight last summer, made 14 of 26 (53.8%) from long range.

Dusan Ivkovic's Serbs, just three days removed from a convincing performance inside a packed Belgrade Arena against Hungary, began well and led 22-13 after a Uros Tripkovic three and Zoran Erceg dunk at the end of the first quarter.

Finland got seven straight points from Kimmo Muurinen on a pair of free throws, a shot from the arc and a jumper as they outscored the Serbs 12-2 at the start of the second quarter for a 25-24 advantage.

The game was close the rest of the way, with numerous lead changes.

Finland trailed 75-74 when Petteri Koponen, who had 18 points, buried a three in a 6-0 spurt and that put the Finns on top for good.

The Finns have now breathed some life into their EuroBasket Division A campaign.

Serbia, meanwhile, were reminded that finishing in the top two spots of Group A will be anything but easy.

Nenad Krstic had a game-high 29 points for Serbia in defeat.

"It was a very tough game for us. Finland deserved the victory. Finland shot their three-pointers extremely well. We didn't succeed in our one against one defense and we had too many turnovers."

Nenad Krstic, Serbia player:

"It was a disappointing game for us. We had a good start, but then we started to struggle as a result of Finland's high percentage shots. We simply have to focus on the next games."

Henrik Dettmann, Finland coach:

"Tonight this team showed us what it's made of and what is capable of doing. I am thrilled, this was a huge win. I want to thank the whole team, they deserved this win. The players have been working together for a long time and now we can see the results."