The Polish men's basketball team took a milestone step towards the 2027 World Cup by defeating Latvia with a last-second shot. The match in Riga, watched from the stands by President Karol Nawrocki, provided incredible emotions and ended with a victory for the White and Reds. Jordan Loyd became the hero of the match, whose performance garnered enthusiastic reviews in the country and abroad. Today, the Poles have a chance to seal their advancement in the rematch.

Dramatic Finale in Riga

Poland defeated Latvia thanks to Jordan Loyd's accurate shot in the last second of the match, bringing the national team closer to advancement.

President's Locker Room Visit

President Karol Nawrocki supported the players from the stands, and after the match, he personally congratulated the team in the locker room.

Chance for Quick Advancement

A victory in today's rematch match could definitively secure the Poles' participation in the World Cup.

The Polish men's basketball team achieved a crucial victory over Latvia in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. The match played in Riga had an extremely dramatic course and was decided only in the last second of the game. The Poles won thanks to Jordan Loyd's shot right at the final buzzer, which sparked euphoria in the Polish camp. The performance of the naturalized American, who took on the burden of scoring points in key moments, was appreciated by his teammates, including captain Mateusz Ponitka, and the media in the United States. The event also had a strong state accent, as President Karol Nawrocki was seated in the stands of the Riga arena. After the match ended, the head of state visited the Polish basketball players in the locker room, congratulating them on their triumph in an emotional way. The recording of this visit, in which the president rallies the players to fight, gained great popularity on social media. Congratulations were also conveyed via news channels by the Minister of Sport, emphasizing the importance of this victory for Polish sports and the morale of the national team. Polish basketball has seen significant progress in recent years, symbolized by advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2019 World Cup and fourth place in EuroBasket 2022. Systematic strengthening of the squad with players experienced in the NBA and EuroLeague allows the White and Reds to realistically compete with the European elite.The victory in Riga opens a straightforward path to the final tournament for the Poles. Another clash with Latvia will take place on March 1, 2026, this time in front of the Polish audience. A win in this match could definitively guarantee the national team coach's squad participation in the upcoming World Cup. However, the coaching staff is tempering the mood, pointing out the need to maintain concentration, as the Latvians, despite losing at home under dramatic circumstances, are promising a fight for revenge and keeping their chances of advancement alive. The atmosphere around the national team is further heated by artistic performances planned for the home match, including a concert by Skolim, which is expected to attract a record number of fans to the stands. „It’s an honor to see the president in the locker room and feel such support from the whole country.” (It's an honor to see the president in the locker room and feel such support from the whole country.) — Jordan Loyd

Mentioned People

  • Jordan Loyd — Polish national team player, hero of the match against Latvia, scorer of decisive points.
  • Karol Nawrocki — President of the Republic of Poland, who cheered for the basketball players in Riga and visited them in the locker room.
  • Mateusz Ponitka — Captain of the Polish national team, praised Loyd's performance after the match.
  • Radosław Piesiewicz — President of the Polish Olympic Committee and the Polish Basketball Association.