After losing to Poland on Friday night in Varaždin, the Croatia basketball team has lost hope of advancing to the 2019 World Cup in China.
Poland was better than Croatia 77-69 in Varaždin on Friday and confirmed their appearance at the 2019 World Cup in China before the last qualifying round in Group J. Croatia, on the other hand, lost their theoretical chances of advancing to the World Cup, reports Gol.hr on February 22, 2019.
Croatia brilliantly opened the duel against Poland in the Varaždin Arena, where just a victory of six or more points would give Croatia hope of qualifying for the World Cup in China.
Croatia’s defense functioned well, leaving Poland without a single shot in the first seven minutes. The Croatian attack was not deadly, but Anzulović’s team led 14-0 after seven minutes. Unfortunately, Poland came back in the last three minutes and finished the first quarter 16-8.
In the 15th minute, Poland came to just one point behind (22-21), but a complete turnaround was prevented by Jakov Mustapić who hit two three-pointers and shot from Filip Krušlin to give Croatia +10 (35-25) in the 18th minute.
However, just like in the first quarter, Poland played better towards the end, and took advantage of some unbelievable fouls by Croatian players to be only four points behind at the half (36-32).
By the 29th minute, it still seemed that Croatia could beat Poland with the crucial six-point difference and keep the odds to place in China - and then Katić hit to lead 59-53. But Poland’s 10:0 series at the end of the third and the beginning of the last quarter gave them an advantage they knew to keep, and the final result ended 77:69 for a thoroughly deserved Poland victory.
Everything good Croatia managed to do in the first seven to eight minutes of each quarter was met with an incredible drop at the end of each quarter.
Filip Krušlin was Croatia's best shooter with 21 points. Miro Bilan and Hrvoje Perić scored 10 points and Toni Katić eight. With their victory, Poland will advance to their first World Cup since 1967. Mateusz Ponitka was the best for Poland on Friday with 20 points and eight rebounds and A.J. Slaughter with 15 points and five assists.
Poland finished with 42 percent of the shots in play and Croatia only 31 percent. Poland also had 45 rebounds and Croatia 36.
In the last qualifying round, Croatia will visit Hungary on Monday, February 25. From Group J, Lithuania, Italy and, Poland will advance to the World Cup.
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