Estonia stays on winning course in FIBA Men's EuroBasket qualifier

WARSAW, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Estonia men's basketball team secured their third consecutive victory in the 2025 EuroBasket qualifier as they beat Poland 82-78 (19-18, 19-22, 19-13, 25-25) in Wloclawek on Thursday evening.

Matthias Tass was the most prolific scorer of the visitors with 19 points, while Janari Joesaar added 15. Mateusz Ponitka delivered 23 points for Poland.

The hosts hoped for their first victory in the qualifications. However, Jakub Schenk missed the target just before the break and they were down by one point 18-19 after the first quarter.

Then the team coached by Heiko Rannula had problems with stopping Mateusz Ponitka, whose effectiveness allowed Poland to take the lead 40-38.

The third quarter turned out to be decisive. Estonia increased the pace to win that part 19-13. However, Igor Milicic's players fought until the end. When Schenk leveled it 62-62, Poland seemed to take control of the clash, but Estonia had the last word.

Jani Joesaar found two points to put his team in front 77-76 with 38 seconds remaining, while a moment later Kaspar Treier gave Estonia a four-point advantage (80-76). Poland wasn't able to reduce the gap and they lost the game 78-82.

Estonia sit on the top of Group H with a perfect record of three wins. The leaders have six points, one more than second-placed Lithuania. North Macedonia is in the third position with four points. Poland is fourth with three consecutive defeats.

"Poland is a difficult rival, especially at home. In the second half, my team played really well. The young players hit key shots. It's a good team win. We can only be better," Estonia coach Heiko Rannula told Xinhua after the game.

"We need to improve our physicality. Self-confidence is also important to us. That confidence was crucial when we played our best. We need to get her back in our game", said Poland coach Igor Milicic. ■