Gortat Dominates As Poles Edge Finns

Marcin Gortat made 11 of 15 field goal attempts en route to a game-high 27 points

Poland clinched a vital 96-91 victory at previously unbeaten Finland on Wednesday in the EuroBasket Qualification Round.

Marcin Gortat had arguably his finest game in the national team shirt, scoring 27 points and corralling 21 rebounds as the Poles moved closer to a place in next year's Final Round with a 5-2 record.

The game was a thriller.

Przemyslaw Zamojski, averaging 7.7 points per game for the Poles and shooting 47.1% (eight of 17) from long range before the clash, was left open and nailed a go-ahead three-ball for the visitors as they avenged an earlier defeat to the Finns.

After Finnish veteran Hanno Möttölä made two free-throws to put the hosts on top 84-80 with 4:22 to go, Damian Kulig sank a jumper for Poland before Zamojski nailed his key three-pointer for an 85-84 lead.

Gortat followed a lay-up, and then a jump shot, as Poland took an 89-84 advantage with 1:30 remaining.

The Finns closed the gap to 91-88 with 20 seconds to play, but after Poland's Dardan Berisha made one of two free-throws, Gortat grabbed the miss.

Finland fouled Berisha again and this time, he sank both attempts for a 93-88 lead.

Henrik Dettmann's team again reduced the arrears to 94-91 with 10 seconds left after Sam Huff connected from the arc.

Sasu Salin fouled point guard Lukasz Koszarek and the captain made both free-throws for the five-point triumph.

Neither side have punched their ticket for the Final Round, yet.

The Finns will do so if they win one of their remaining two games.

Quotes Finland vs. Poland

Finland head coach Henrik Dettmann:
"Poland was good today, really good. Marcin Gortat played the best game I've seen him play with Poland. Just pure domination, which we could not control. We were not attacking in defense as we are supposed to. We hesitated the split second that matters and at the same time gave away the chance to dominate the game. In a process like this, the important thing now is to learn a lesson from this game, head to Belgium and try to get a win there."

Finland player Petteri Koponen:
"It was a good battle. A couple of possessions in either end of the floor decide games like this. Poland was just better in the final minutes. Also when the opponent scores 96 points in your home arena, you know what you have to be better at next time. We cannot put our head to a bush and feel sorry for ourselves. This was a missed opportunity, but we have a next one waiting for us in Belgium."

Poland player Lukasz Koszarek:
"We were focused and played good defense for the last ten minutes. Finland was shooting with good percentages and we just had to keep playing and wait for our five minutes, which came in the end. Finland was the best team in the group early on, but right now we showed we are in better shape."

Poland head coach Ales Pipan:
"I want to congratulate my players for the win and especially the last quarter, which was the key to our victory. We are in good shape right now and have been ending these qualifiers very well. We still have one more game to go against Albania and we have to deal with the game professionally."