In a dramatic final match held in Gliwice, Poland emerged victorious over Bosnia and Herzegovina, clinching their qualification for the Olympic Games with a 76:72 win.
The intense showdown between Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina kept fans on the edge of their seats until the last 40 seconds. Mateusz Ponitka missed three free throws, but Poland managed to secure the victory. Crucial free throws were made by Andrzej Pluta, who stepped in for the injured Aleksander Balcerowski.
Michal Sokolowski led the winning team with 16 points, while on the opposing side, Aleksandar Lazic was the top scorer with 16 points.
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During the first half, neither team managed to establish a significant lead. Bosnia and Herzegovina held a maximum lead of 19:13, while Poland led 40-35 at halftime.
Interestingly, both Dzanan Musa and Mateusz Ponitka, who recently signed with Partizan, were held in check during the first half, each contributing five points.
The second half saw a similar pattern to the first. Neither team was able to pull away significantly, and the score was tied at 54:54 heading into the decisive final 10 minutes.
Luka Garza’s strong performance propelled Bosnia and Herzegovina to a four-point lead halfway through the final quarter. However, Aleksander Balcerowski responded with a three-pointer, equalizing at 64-64, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
One of the key moments came with Jusuf Nurkic’s foul on Balcerowski with 40 seconds left, causing the Polish center to leave the court with the help of teammates. Andrzej Pluta replaced him on the free-throw line, sinking both shots to give Poland a 73:71 lead.
In the next play, Nurkic missed his shot and fouled Ponitka, who was sent to the free-throw line. The Polish guard made only one of two shots.
On the other end, a hasty attack by Bosnia and Herzegovina resulted in another foul on Ponitka. However, he missed both free throws this time, giving Bosnia and Herzegovina a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer. They were unable to capitalize, securing Poland’s victory and a spot in the Olympic qualifiers.