Bosnia and Herzegovina: Where to Watch and Preview as Loyd challenges Nurkić

• → Game to take place at Arena Riga, Riga on Sunday, 7 September 2025 at 12:00 Local Time (EEST)
• → Form check: Poland finished 3–2 after a gritty group run that included wins over Slovenia and Israel, but slipped late to Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina surged into the knockouts by beating Georgia 84–76 behind Jusuf Nurkić’s control of the paint.
• → Context: Neighbor energy without the history—two physical teams that believe they can bully their way into the quarters.

"Underdog" Knockout Game as Nurkić’ and Loyd prepare to battle it out in Riga

Poland didn’t arrive with the flashiest roster (especially after Sochan's scratch), but they kept finding the winning details - defensive organization, low-turnover guards, and timely shot-making. Mateusz Ponitka still knits the lineup together, switching assignments and making small plays that don’t always show up in box scores.

The headliner, though, has been their naturalized guard Jordan Loyd, who gives Poland a true late-clock bucket-getter and a steady diet of paint touches into free throws or kick-outs. When Poland are rolling, the ball doesn’t stick: early drive-and-kick, second-side attacks, and a simple rule - shoot open 3s, not “almost” open 3s. Loyd has been stealing the show in Katowice, making the top 5 in ppg (22) whilst shooting 50% from deep.

They will need a clean whistle for their bigs. Aleksander Balcerowski’s length matters against Bosnia’s bruising front line, and Dominik Olejniczak’s screening sets the stage for guard penetration. If either gets into foul trouble, Poland’s defensive rebounding can wobble. Expect Poland to send two to the ball only selectively against John Roberson pick-and-rolls; the staff would rather live with contested mid-rangers than rotate into Bosnia’s corner shooters.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Nurkić’s gravity, guards that punch

Bosnia’s best stretches are unmistakable: Nurkić sets a deep seal or handoff angle, Roberson snakes into the lane, and the wings—Edin Atić, Amar Alibegović, Aleksandar Lazić—cut hard to punish ball-watching. Nurkić’s line against Georgia (15 points, 12 rebounds) was emblematic; even without a monster scoring night, his screens, passing and glass work changed the floor geometry. They’ve shown different gears, too: when the game slows, they’ll grind for post touches; when they smell a run, Roberson and Atić push for early threes.

What will decide it

• The glass: Second-chance points are the cleanest path to control for both—whoever lives on the offensive boards tilts the math. Only six teams this FIBA EuroBasket 2025 have grabbed more offensive rebounds than Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Free throws vs. threes: Poland win when they keep the FT gap narrow and hit corner 3s in rhythm; Bosnia want FT volume through Nurkić and pressure on closeouts.
• Late-clock shot creation: Loyd can manufacture decent looks; Bosnia trust Roberson’s pull-up and Nurkić’s short roll. One or two possessions in the final two minutes will loom large.

How to watch Poland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Stream Poland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina live on Courtside 1891 and pick the Max Event Pass for this event window or go Max Annual for year-round access to EuroBasket and other FIBA competitions. Regional availability and blackouts may apply.