Poland's basketball team aims for World Cup, facing Israel and Germany

Poland's national basketball team is set to begin the second round of their World Cup qualifying campaign, facing a crucial two-game stretch without NBA prospect Jeremy Sochan. Their immediate challenge is Israel in Riga on Thursday, followed by a home game against Germany in Gdańsk on Sunday.

The team, coached by Igor Milicić, navigated the first round of qualifiers with a perfect six wins. These points carry over, meaning two victories in the upcoming matches will be enough to secure their place in the World Cup.

Despite Sochan's absence, the team has been training in Riga after a series of friendly matches against Bulgaria, Greece, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Coach Milicić noted that all players are healthy and expressed his eagerness for the games to begin. He emphasized the team's focus on recovery and preparation to ensure peak performance from the start.

While Israel is not considered a European powerhouse, they present a formidable challenge, as evidenced by a close 66-64 victory for Poland in their last EuroBasket encounter. Key players like Jordan Loyd and Mateusz Ponitka were instrumental in that win. Israel will be without Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers for the upcoming match. The game in Riga will be played without spectators due to FIBA's decision, likely to prevent political displays amid the situation in the Gaza Strip.

“

We are preparing step by step, according to plan. The players will feel the emotions most intensely on game day, but I already have those characteristic butterflies in my stomach. I can't wait for this meeting. Our goal in the last days and hours before the match is primarily to refresh the players after intensive travel, so that they have full strength and speed on the court from the first minute.