POL/ESP – First overtime at U17 WC a stunner as Poland prevails

HAMBURG (FIBA U17 World Championship) – Poland’s second unit made a key run in the fourth quarter to send the game against Spain into overtime and they proved to be the better side in that extra session, winning 88-82 at the Sporthalle in Hamburg.

The result saw the Poles remain undefeated (4-0) while Spain suffered their third loss (1-3) and dealt a blow to their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.

Diego Ocampo’s side took a 38-35 lead at halftime by sticking to its gameplan of double-teaming Polish big man Przemyslaw Karnowski every time he got the ball and forcing his team-mates to beat them.

On the offensive end, the Spaniards used some patient ball movement and when in doubt gave the ball to Jaime Fernandez, who finished with a game-high 24 points.

The Poles struggled in the third period and fell behind by nine, 63-54, as Spain found a good rhythm from three-point territory.

Poland head coach Jery Szambelan was having a hard time finding the best line-up and took a chance in the final quarter when he sent in his reserves.

The bold move paid off as the second unit launched a furious comeback that culminated in them edging in front, 70-69, with five minutes remaining.

Poland then reinserted their starters and trailed 77-76 with under a minute to go.

Daniel Diez de la Faya missed a three-pointer that could have all but guaranteed the win for Spain and Karnowski made one of two free-throws with 28 seconds to go to tie it.

Fernandez missed a contested lay-up in the dying seconds and the game went into overtime.

Mateusz Ponitka converted a three-point play that put the Poles up 84-81 with under three minutes remaining in the extra session.

Neither team was able to score for more than two minutes after Ponitka’s basket. Jorge Sanz missed a pair of free-throws with 31 seconds remaining and at the other end Michal Michalak scored a lay-up that secured the win.

Quotes

Grzegorz Zielinski, Poland assistant coach: "It's been a tough, close game. The Spanish team had a great three-point shooting night and showed good character."

Diego Ocampo, Spain head coach: "We started well, playing good basketball, but we got really tired. We were exhausted at the end of the fourth quarter."

FIBA / JB