Poland Captain Ponitka Highlights Key Victory Over Israel in World Cup Qualifiers

Poland secured a significant 106-86 win against Israel in a World Cup qualifying match on August 27, 2026. The victory marked an important step toward Poland's goal of reaching the World Championship. Polish captain Mateusz Ponitka led his team with an impressive performance, scoring 24 points, providing 9 assists, and grabbing 6 rebounds.

After the game, Ponitka acknowledged Israel's competitiveness and the challenge posed by their EuroLeague-level players. He noted that Poland was aware of Israel's vulnerabilities both on and off the court and capitalized on those weaknesses to secure the win. Despite some mistakes, Ponitka expressed pride in his team's overall play and emphasized the importance of this victory in advancing their World Cup ambitions.

Ponitka also shared his deep personal connection to the Polish national team, describing it as his family since his youth basketball days. He reflected on the sacrifices made, including spending more time with the team than with his own family during summers. He dedicated the win to his wife and son, crediting them for his success and expressing hope to continue his basketball journey for several more years.