POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Michal Sokolowski
Bosnia - Poland 72-76
Poland secured their Olympic Qualifying Tournament berth. They held off Bosnia at the Arena Gliwice tonight to punch their ticket. Michal Sokolowski (196-F/G-1992) scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds to pace the hosts in an extremely tense battle today.
The game that witnessed more than 20 lead changes was a seesaw action from start to finish. The scoreboard read 23-23 after ten minutes. Poland managed to eke out a 40-39 halftime lead. Bosnia limited their opponents to just 14 points in the third term to tie things up at 54. The teams entered the final minute of regulation tied at 71. Andrzej Pluta (190-SG-2000) sank two free throws to give Poland a 73-71 lead. Mateusz Ponitka (198-SF-1993) stretched the lead to 3 points 74-71 with 25 seconds remaining. Luka Garza (211-C-1998, college: Iowa) put Bosnia within two points but Jaroslaw Zyskowski (203-SF-1992) answered with a layup in the dying seconds to seal the win for Poland. Aleksander Balcerowski (218-C-2000) finished with 14 points for the hosts before getting injured in the fourth quarter. Aleksandar Lazic (203-F-1996) answered with 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Edin Atic (201-G/F-1997) had 15 points for Bosnia.
Tags : MICHAL SOKOLOWSKI, OLYMPIC GAMES BASKETBALL, POLISH NATIONAL TEAM
