The Polish national basketball team secured a spectacular victory over Latvia in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. The match remained tense until the very end, with the White-and-Reds' triumph decided by points scored right at the final buzzer. The game in Riga was watched by President Karol Nawrocki, who personally congratulated the players in the locker room after the match. The hero of the evening was Jordan Loyd, whose performance was also met with enthusiasm in American media.

Last-second victory

Poland defeated Latvia thanks to points scored in the last second of the match, sparking euphoria in the Polish camp.

Phenomenal Jordan Loyd

The naturalized player from the USA led Poland to victory, garnering excellent reviews in the international press.

President in the locker room

Karol Nawrocki watched the match from the stands, and after the victory personally congratulated the players, which was captured on recordings.

Jakub Urbaniak's debut

The young player made his first appearance for the national team, which is part of the coach's plan to rejuvenate the squad.

The Polish men's national basketball team pulled off an incredible feat in Riga, defeating the favored Latvian squad in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. The match had a dramatic course, with the lead changing hands multiple times. The outcome of the contest was decided in the absolute final second when a successful shot secured victory for Poland. The biggest star of the match turned out to be naturalized American Jordan Loyd, whose efficiency and composure in key moments earned recognition not only from Polish fans but also from international media. Team captain Mateusz Ponitka described his teammate's performance as „epic”, highlighting the importance of this individual achievement for the entire national team. The event had not only a sporting but also a national dimension. In the stands of the Riga arena sat President Karol Nawrocki, whose presence was captured by television cameras. After the final whistle, the head of state went to the basketball players' locker room to emotionally thank them for their fight. The recording of this moment, showing the president enthusiastically rallying the players, quickly went viral on social media. Furthermore, Jakub Urbaniak made his debut in the match, which the Polish national team selector indicated as an important element in building the future of the national team. Polish basketball has been experiencing a renaissance in recent years, symbolized by the fourth-place finish at EuroBasket 2022, which was the best result in nearly half a century.The victory over Latvia puts the Polish squad in an excellent position in the qualifying group. The President of the Polish Basketball Association, Radosław Piesiewicz, did not hide his emotion regarding his players' performance, calling them „beloved boys”. Despite the euphoria, experts and the coaching staff are tempering the mood, reminding everyone that the mission to qualify for the 2027 world championship is still ongoing. The win in Riga, although extremely valuable, is just another step in the long qualification process, which requires maintaining focus in the upcoming matches in front of the home crowd. „Epic matches. I have no doubts about Loyd's class.” — Mateusz Ponitka

Mentioned People

  • Jordan Loyd — Polish national team basketball player, hero of the match against Latvia.
  • Karol Nawrocki — President of Poland, who cheered for the team in Riga.
  • Mateusz Ponitka — Captain of the Polish national basketball team.
  • Radosław Piesiewicz — President of the Polish Basketball Association and PKOl.
  • Jakub Urbaniak — Debutant for the Polish national team.