[2nd round] Group I: ARG-RUS-POL-VEN

[Dtown]

Still arguably the weakest group, if Argentina and Russia make it through together it wouldn't shock me.

[ZaliaBalta]

Dang, let’s just take a minute and compare this group to LTU-AUS-FRA-DOM or BRA-GRE-USA-CZE/TUR, hell even to SRB-ITA-SPA-PUR. Poland has a real chance to make it to the quarter finals together with Argentina. Every other group looks deadly compared to this one. Actually i don’t even know which one is the toughest one, but this one is obviously miles away from the other three.

[Tevfik1907]

Poland and Venezuela will be hated by Chinese supporters for the rest of the tournament, lol. I don't think they've a much of a chance, especially against Argentina and Russia.

[madmax]

Dayum, that pedestrian Russian team is going to the QF, aren't they... Damn you FIBA again

[Buzissa]

Very close call between Russia and Poland.
Going with Poland 2nd. Argentina 1st.

[Nemanja]

Russia suprise me .They play relatively good ,flow of the ball is good ,shoot correct ,rebound expected .Poland like I wrote against China,has problem on pg with organization and creation,because Slaugther is sg ,also on post doesnt have player which can make at least 6 points .I think Poland is better team,I like their play more than Russia ,I wish them to win . By the way,Ponitka again show high class .

[Levenspiel]

Very close call between Russia and Poland.

and the game is pretty close; 58-58 in the last quarter after several 8-10 pts Russia leads.
Poland is proving to be a surprisingly resilient team; they always fight back, every game is a dog-fight.

[MrRager]

Poland must ditch Slaughter ASAP. Terrible player, poor man's Mike James.

[Levenspiel]

well done, Poland, another tough win for them. Ponitka is the maestro.

[Mindozas]

Poland must ditch Slaughter ASAP. Terrible player, poor man's Mike James.

Wouldn't be that harsh on him. Poor game, not the best tournament, average player, even tho his input in a win vs China was decent. But basically he was one of the main reasons why Poland is here at all. Quite devoted guy what comes to NT duties

Going back to game, Poland shot amazing 35/38 FT, which is huge 92% for such number of attempts, when till today their % was among the worst in tournament, only 69%. And that almost granted Poland a 1/4 spot. Not a surprise given the easy path, but still would be good achievement. Russia is more or less out, unless Venezuela will come into rescue

[Terrorizer]

I haven't watched the game and, while some stats are hugely suspicious (38 - 19 free throws, well done, street [s]refs[/s]rats), losing to this lousy Poland is totally inexcusable, no matter all the absences, refs bias and any other factors. But Russia NT is an abominable, disgusting, shameful piece of shit. End of story.

P.S. Basketball is just a game, but stuff like that definitely helps you to dive deeper into depression. A silver lining in this massive black cloud here is that from now on I have zero interest in this tournament, which looks really underwhelming with no team showing at least decent basketball so far. The main question is which of underachieving heavyweights will fail less horrendously. It doesn't interest me enough to follow this slugfest though.

[soulis79]

Russia is an experienced but an aged team. Vorontsevich is 32, Kurbanov 33, Fridzon 34, Antonov 30, Shved 31, Mozgov 33, Khostov 30. I wonder what kind of team Russia will appear in next FIBA events if these players retire in the next couple of years. I see no quality in other players, besides Kulagin brothers, especially in the frontcourt.

Poland was a crap in exhibition games (lost a game from Hungary) but the right time they did what was right and advanced to next phase. Congratulations to Poland!

[Peeta]

Well, basketball is not so popular sport in Poland. Volleyball its our sport(football its 1 place you know, even when we are weak heh ),but this is an amazing result for us. And what am I the only Pole who speaks here. I hope that basketball have more time in our TV and well be more popular with this 1/4.

[Levenspiel]

Well, basketball is not so popular sport in Poland. Volleyball its our sport(football its 1 place you know, even when we are weak heh ),but this is an amazing result for us. And what am I the only Pole who speaks here. I hope that basketball have more time in our TV and well be more popular with this 1/4.

hey Peeta, welcome. We can say the number of Polish members here was parallel to the number of Polish teams in the EL. and currently, there is none... Hope the good news from your NT brings more people around.

[Peeta]

hey Peeta, welcome. We can say the number of Polish members here was parallel to the number of Polish teams in the EL. and currently, there is none... Hope the good news from your NT brings more people around.

Thanks, our National TV(Telewizja Polska) show Polish matches on the main antenna. And yes i really dont like EL, i prefer when national league have its matters to advance to europen cup(all level). I dont like closed leagues(in any sports).