FOSHAN (China) - When the final buzzer sounded on Poland's 79-74 come-from-behind win over Russia in the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, the Poles ran to center-court as if they'd won the actual World Cup trophy.

They haven't yet, of course, but what they've achieved in the span of a little more than a week has been nothing short of historic.

Poland already broke barriers when they qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, but then they surprised everyone when they swept all their First Round games to top Group A, and once again they shocked the international basketball world when they upended a bigger, arguably deeper Russian quintet last night at the GBA International Sports & Cultural Center in Foshan, China.

It was a tremendous result for a team that was never really seen as a Quarter-Finals contender, but now they're assured of a place among the top eight countries on the biggest stage of international basketball.

"WE HAVE NO BIG NAMES, BUT WE HAVE SHOWN THAT A GREAT TEAM THAT PLAYS HARD AND DEVELOPS OVER YEARS CAN DO GREAT THINGS." - Coach Mike Taylor



"This was a big game for us - we knew what it meant, that if we get a win, we're in the top eight," Poland guard AJ Slaughter said after their win over Russia. "I'm glad we fought together and got it done tonight."

"We are very pleased that it was much better in the second half," national team forward Adam Waczyknsi also shared. "We played aggressively, we used free throws, their fouls, we played wisely, we collected the ball. The whole team has earned it. We took over the match and showed amazing energy in the end."



"Really happy to be here on this adventure with our team," added head coach Mike Taylor. "I'm so proud of this team and how we're playing. Credit to Russia. We struggled but finally hit some shots and made some plays. This is the will and toughness of our team."The last time Poland played at the World Cup was way back in the 1967 edition hosted by Uruguay. They played nine games then, and though they finished fifth place overall, they won only four games and lost five. As of last night, the 2019 iteration of the Polish national team have already matched that previous win total, and with no loss notched in their slate.

"It's a great feeling, but we don't want to stop," said 35-year-old veteran Lukasz Koszarek. "We won't stop. We are winning tough games, and this is very important for Poland."

The moment was bigger than the mettle of the men who made it happen. Under the bright lights in Foshan, the entire Polish team were overcome with emotion at what they've done. Not too long ago, Poland carried a 3-win, 4-loss card in the European Qualifiers, teetering on the edge of elimination from World Cup contention. Now, they've surpassed all expectations, perhaps even their own, but they're taking it all in.

"This is huge for us as a team and the country of Poland, being here after 52 years, on this magical run," Slaughter explained. "It's special for us to be in the top eight. We're just so proud of our team and seeing our hard work pay off. We're here to give the country of Poland something to be proud about."

"I don't know how to react," said seasoned national team member Adam Hrycaniuk. "Whether to shed a tear or stay focused. I am a tough man who has something else to prove, but this adventure does not end for us. This match showed what team we are, what oppressions we can get out of, what this collective can create. We put all of our strength and knowledge on the floor. We believed that we could win. We are proud."

Looking ahead, Poland are set to face perhaps their most fearsome foe, likewise unbeaten Argentina, who unlike the Poles, are among the most heralded teams left standing, especially with names like Luis Scola and Facundo Campazzo at the forefront.



Still, Poland are unfazed. They know the magnitude of their already amazing feat in China, and how this will impact Poland basketball back home. For the members of this team, the dream is for their campaign to spark a revolution of the sport in their country and to inspire future generations of Polska ballers to dream even bigger.

"This means everything for Poland basketball," explained coach Taylor. "They can take confidence because of this win. We're in a continent with great teams, and we can say we can compete with these teams. We're trying to establish that we can do it, too. We have no big names, but we have shown that a great team that plays hard and develops over years can do great things. We hope these guys can inspire the next generation."

FIBA