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EuroBasket: Poland finish fourth

19.09.2022 01:00
Poland have claimed fourth place at the FIBA Men's EuroBasket 2022 tournament, their highest finish in half a century.
Michal Sokołowski of Poland (left) in action against Germanys Franz Wagner (right) during the FIBA Mens EuroBasket 2022 third-place match between Germany and Poland in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday, September 18, 2022.
Michal Sokołowski of Poland (left) in action against Germany’s Franz Wagner (right) during the FIBA Men's EuroBasket 2022 third-place match between Germany and Poland in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday, September 18, 2022. PAP/EPA/Filip Singer

The Polish team concluded their participation in the event with a battling 69:82 defeat to co-hosts Germany in the bronze-medal match on Sunday, news outlets reported.

In front of an almost 13,000-strong crowd in Berlin’s EuroBasket Arena, Poland wiped away a 14-point deficit to bring the scores level in the fourth quarter. 

Jakub Garbacz scored four three-pointers as Poland fought back to tie the game at 59-59, before Germany finished the stronger to claim a 13-point victory and the bronze medal.     

The result means Poland have finished in the top four of the EuroBasket for the first time since 1971.

'My players are heroes': Poland coach Miličić

Poland’s coach Igor Miličić said afterwards: "We made some mistakes in the first half. We didn't find the right passes to allow us to execute. We came back with some good ball sharing, but then Voigtmann was left open and made some clutch shots in the fourth quarter.”

Miličić added: “I have to congratulate my players big time - they are heroes for me. What they presented this whole tournament was amazing."

Meanwhile, Spain were crowned winners of the FIBA Men's EuroBasket 2022 after beating France 88:76 in the final in Berlin later on Sunday.  

The FIBA Men's EuroBasket 2022 was co-hosted by the Czech Republic, Georgia, Italy and Germany. 

On Saturday, Poland was confirmed as a co-host for the next edition of the tournament, to be held in 2025. The other co-hosts are Cyprus, Finland and Latvia.

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Source: TVP Sportfiba.basketball