Adam Waczynski (POL)
03/08/2015
News
to read

Poland sweep Czechs in two-game friendly series

WALBRZYCH (EuroBasket 2015) - Poland picked up two wins in as many warm-up games against the Czech Republic at home over the weekend, in what were the first friendlies for both teams in their preparations for EuroBasket 2015.

Star players Marcin Gortat and Tomas Satoransky had only joined their respective national teams on the eve of the first game in Walbrzych but still played good minutes in both encounters, while the Czechs were without Jan Vesely in both weekend games as he is joining training camp at a latter stage.

On Saturday, the Czech Republic jumped to an early 8-4 lead but Dardan Berisha hit back-to-back three-pointers to lift Poland to a 17-14 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

The hosts never looked back, as they extended the gap to 34-25 by the half-time interval and to 40-25 shortly after the start of the third quarter.

The Czechs reduced the deficit to nine points going into the final frame but Poland used a late burst to clinch a comfy 70-52 victory.

Berisha finished with 11 points while Adam Waczynski and Przemyslaw Karnowski had 10 points apiece, the former also adding 5 rebounds.

For the Czechs, Pavel Houska collected nine points while Satoransky and David Jelinek chipped in with eight points each in losing efforts.

"We won our first game, in front of a big crowd at home and that's a very nice feeling," said afterwards Karol Gruszecki, who aspires to make the senior Polish team in a major tournament for the first time in his career.

"You could see some chaos in both attack and defense as nobody's legs were as fresh as we would like.

"The coach tried different things and we tried to share the ball.

"Everyone played, everyone contributed something to the team and this is most important.

"The Czechs have good players who play in good leagues, the Czech team always plays at a high level."

Gruszecki's comment on the potential of the Czech Republic proved prophetic as 24 hours later and this time behind closed doors, the Czechs showed much more stamina and fighting spirit.

Poland once again led throughout the first half to go into the locker rooms with a 35-30 lead and attempted to pull away in the third but only enjoyed an 8-point lead, 52-44, going into the final frame.

The Czech Republic rallied late and a triple by Jiri Welsch reduced the deficit to just two points going into the final minute but Poland held on for a 65-64 win.

Gortat led the home team with 8 points and a game-high 13 rebounds while Waczynski and Berisha also finished with eight points each.

Petr Benda had 14 points and Satoransky finished with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in losing efforts.

"I think we lacked concentration towards the end and with three minutes before the end maybe we relaxed a little thinking that we had won the game," said Waczynski afterwards.

"I think our time in Walbrzych has overall been very productive.

"We have really talented players who not only are good basketball players individually, but form a collective.

"This is the most important thing and that's our strength.

"Today's game showed that even though our offence is not yet as effective as last year in qualifying, it's coming together.

"The bottom line is that we can defend and not get discouraged by the fact that the shots are not falling in."

The Czechs however also extracted positive conclusions from their weekend trip, especially from the Sunday game.

"Today [Sunday] we were much better both on defense and on offense, although our shooting is still not sharp enough," said Benda.

"Even with this handicap we stayed closed with them, we played a balanced game."

Poland, who were drawn in EuroBasket Group A, will play their next warm-up game on the road, against Latvia.

The Czech Republic meanwhile, who will play in EuroBasket Group D, are returning home only briefly as they will travel to Germany for two more friendly games next weekend.

Go to eurobasket2015.org for more coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA