MUNICH (Germany) - One down, two to go. Germany are safely through to the Second Round, but the remaining two spots from Group D will be decided on Gameday 6 after a thriller in Lublin.

Twists and turns, back and forth. Big shot after big shot. Poland were two seconds away from being eliminated from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers at the first hurdle. 

Jaroslaw Zyskowski hit the game-saving triple with 2.3 seconds left on the clock and Poland made the most of their lifeline with AJ Slaughter coming up clutch with a huge go-ahead three-pointer with 1:15 remaining in overtime as the hosts denied Israel for a dramatic 90-85 triumph.

Poland needed to win, and they managed to find a way. "We didn't give up, we showed our character and our desire to win the game," mused Zyskowski after his late heroics.

The hosts had led for the majority of the contest, including by as many as 11 in the first half as they appeared in control. However, Israel went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc late in the fourth to take a 78-72 lead with 1:42 remaining, only to give up six unanswered points in the final minute as Poland forced an extra period to cling on to their World Cup hopes.

Earlier, Germany took care of their own business on the road as they turned on the jets in the second half to power past Estonia for an emphatic 88-57 success. With all results being carried forward to the Second Round, the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 co-hosts are sitting pretty with a 4-1 record - and clear of any drama.

Christian Sengfelder top scored with 23 points, Isaac Bonga overcame an early injury scare to contribute 21 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks with Dennis Schroder also marking his national team return with 14 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds and 4 steals in the win.

Germany outscored their opponents 36-16 in the third quarter and can now look forward to their final game of the First Round as they welcome a Poland side in need of another victory, on Sunday.

"It was tough for both teams to score the basketball in the first half, but I think our defense was there for all 40 minutes," said Schroder. "In the second half, we did a great job of coming out playing together, moving the ball and making some shots and that was the game."

Poland, Israel and Estonia are now competing for two spots in the Second Round. Israel return home for a winner-takes-all encounter with Estonia in Tel Aviv, while Poland will have to beat Germany in Bremen as head-to-head counts against them in potential tie-breakers.

FIBA