We expected more of a Luka Doncic, so dominant and so complete, to shine in this area. Finally, it was Mateusz Ponitka who scored one of the rare triple-doubles in the history of Eurobasket.
Facing Luka Doncic and Slovenia precisely, in Poland’s surprise victory in the quarterfinals, the winger had a huge game with 26 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists.
In the history of EuroBasket, they were only three to have achieved such a performance. The first was Croatian Stojan Vrankovic in 1995, with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocks. Then, two years later, it’s still a Croatian, Toni Kukoc, who adds his name, compiling 15 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Finally, five years ago, in 2017, the Romanian Andrei Mandache had posted 14 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
“I’m not thinking about it right now,” confessed the player after Poland qualified for the semi-finals against France. ” Tomorrow (so today) I can answer questions about my triple-double. Of course, I’m very happy. It’s the first of my career and I didn’t think I’d do it at the Euros. “
