The Finns, one of four host nations, were underdogs on home soil at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki against a French side who won the tournament in 2013 and are ranked fourth in the world.

Finland, ranked at 32 in the world standings, stormed out of the blocks and led 23-15 at the end of the first quarter.

France struck back and led by a point at half-time, 33-32.

The French moved three points further ahead at the end of the third quarter but the Finns battled back to level the match at 72-all and force overtime.

It was the host nation who held their nerve best to secure a winning start in Group A.

Power forward Lauri Markkanen, who plays for Chicago Bulls in the NBA, led the scoring charts for Finland with 22 points and seven rebounds.

Elsewhere in the Helsinki-based group, Slovenia began with a 90-81 victory over Poland.

Greece claimed a big 91-60 win over Iceland.

In Group B, played at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, there was another shock result as the 2015 runners-up Lithuania were beaten 79-77 by world number 47 side Georgia.

Hosts Israel were beaten 69-48 by Italy, with Germany defeating Ukraine 75-63.

Groups C and D are due to begin tomorrow.