Poland U20 Women Overpower Croatia in FIBA U20 European Championship

Poland’s U20 women's national team claimed a hard-fought 76–66 victory over Croatia in the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship Division A on July 11, 2026. Playing in a neutral venue, Poland used a strong third quarter and a balanced scoring effort to overcome a determined Croatian side and secure their second win of the tournament.

Match Overview

The game was tightly contested in the first half, with Croatia holding a slim 35–34 lead at the break. Poland came out firing in the third quarter, outscoring Croatia 25–14, and built a lead that they managed effectively in the final period. Croatia fought back in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 5 points, but Poland’s defense stiffened and forced crucial turnovers down the stretch.

Key Moments

• Third Quarter Surge: Poland opened the second half on a 15–4 run, powered by their point guard who scored 8 points during that stretch.
• Croatia’s Fourth Quarter Rally: The Croatian center led a charge that brought the score to 68–63 with three minutes left, but Poland responded with a steal-and-score to push the lead back to 7.
• Clutch Free Throws: Poland converted 10 of 12 free throws in the final quarter to ice the game, showing poise under pressure.

Standout Players

Poland’s shooting guard was outstanding, finishing with 22 points and 6 rebounds, while their small forward added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. For Croatia, the point guard recorded 18 points and 5 assists, but the team’s 18 turnovers proved costly.

Tournament Impact

With this win, Poland improves to 2–1 in the group stage and strengthens their chances of advancing to the quarterfinals. Croatia drops to 1–2 and faces a must-win game in their next match to stay alive in the title race. The result also gives Poland confidence as they prepare for tougher opponents ahead in the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship Division A.