Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan reacts to Poland advancing to semifinals of EuroBasket 2022

The Polish men’s national team defeated Slovenia to advance to the semifinals of EuroBasket for the first time since 1971.

Led by Mateusz Ponitka, the Polish men’s national team defeated Luka Doncic and Slovenia on Wednesday to advance to the semifinals of EuroBasket 2022.

Ponitka, who plays for Reggio Emilia of the Lega Basket Serie in Italy, recorded 26 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals for just the third-ever triple-double in the event. With the 90-87 win, Poland will play in the semifinals for the first time since 1971.

Doncic had 14 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out.

Poland was ecstatic to celebrate its win and had quite a bit of support from those on hand in Berlin, Germany, and around the world. San Antonio Spurs rookie Jeremy Sochan, who ultimately skipped the event to prepare for the NBA, cheered his teammates from afar.

Sochan, whose mother is Polish, first played for the junior national team in the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship. He became the youngest to play with the senior national team in the FIBA EuroBasket qualifiers in February 2021, scoring 18 points in a win over Romania.

He opted against playing with Poland this time around but figures to be in the team’s plans for future events. For now, Sochan will be among those cheering on Poland in the semifinals.

Poland will face France on Friday at 11:15 a.m. EDT.

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