The Polish men's national basketball team scored a spectacular victory over Latvia in Riga during the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. The match was decided by a successful shot from Jordan Loyd released exactly as the final buzzer sounded. The win was accompanied by extraordinary emotions, with President Karol Nawrocki cheering on the white-and-reds from the stands and personally congratulating the players in the locker room after the match.

Last-Second Victory

Jordan Loyd secured the Polish triumph over Latvia with a shot released exactly as the final buzzer sounded in the qualifying match in Riga.

President in the Basketball Locker Room

Karol Nawrocki cheered on the national team from the stands and after the match personally congratulated the players on the historic victory.

Polish Clubs in the Conference League

Lech Poznań and Raków Częstochowa learned their opponents for the round of 16 in the European cups.

The Polish men's national basketball team achieved the nearly impossible, defeating the favored Latvian team on their home court in Riga. The match in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers had a dramatic course and kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final play. The hero of the evening was Jordan Loyd, an American with a Polish passport, who took responsibility at the decisive moment. His jump shot released in the last second went in, giving Poland a one-point victory. After the match, captain Mateusz Ponitka was full of praise for his teammate, emphasizing it was one of the most epic games of his national team career. This victory is of immense importance for the qualifying group standings. Poland, which had previously struggled with inconsistent form, is now emerging as one of the favorites for advancement. The media highlights the phenomenal performance of two leaders, whose on-court cooperation completely surprised the Latvian defense. Statistics show that Polish shooters withstood the pressure in key free throws during the fourth quarter, which allowed them to keep the point gap with the hosts until the very end. The national team coach indicated that this victory builds the team's mentality for the coming years. Polish basketball has been experiencing a renaissance in recent years, evidenced by a fourth-place finish at EuroBasket 2022 and the systematic strengthening of the squad with players from the NBA and top EuroLeague clubs. The event also had a strong political and state accent. President Karol Nawrocki was seated in the stands of the arena in Riga, reacting animatedly to every successful Polish play. After the match ended, the head of state went to the team's locker room to personally thank the players for their fight and for promoting the country on the international stage. Footage of this visit, where the president chants rallying cries together with the basketball players, instantly became a hit on social media. The President of the Polish Basketball Association, Radosław Piesiewicz, with visible emotion, congratulated the "dear boys" on a success that brings Poland closer to the world championship. Parallel to the basketball success, Polish sports are following the Conference League draw. Lech Poznań and Raków Częstochowa (often mistakenly identified as Jagiellonia in older dispatches concerning the ranking) learned their opponents for the round of 16. Lech will face a Ukrainian rival, sparking discussion about the match venue, as the Ukrainian side expressed reluctance to play at Polish stadiums due to logistics and safety concerns. Experts and bookmakers assess the chances of the Polish clubs advancing to the quarter-finals as very high.

Mentioned People

  • Jordan Loyd — The match hero who gave Poland the victory with a last-second shot.
  • Karol Nawrocki — President of Poland present at the match in Riga.
  • Mateusz Ponitka — Captain of the Polish national team, a key player in the victory over Latvia.
  • Radosław Piesiewicz — President of the Polish Olympic Committee and the Polish Basketball Association.