Linda Frohlich scored 21 points and grabbed 19 rebounds as Germany defeated Poland 71-57 and withstood a fine all-around performance from Agnieszka Bibrzycka. 

The Spartak Moscow bound guard scored 30 points, more than half of her team’s total offense, but it wasn’t enough as Frohlich and Co came from more than 15 down to defeat Poland.

"Today we played a great match with a lot of heart," said German coach Olaf Stolz.

"I´m very proud of my team."

		Agnieszka Bibrzycka scored 30 for Poland.

Poland led 18-13 after one quarter and then built on that lead to open the second.

Bibrzycka scored nine points in the first three minutes of the second quarter as Poland increased their lead to 30-15.

Frohlich answered by scoring seven points over the final seven minutes of the second quarter as Germany trailed 35-28 at the half.

Bibrzycka and Co. led by as many as nine in the third quarter, but they then went ice cold over the final 12 minutes of the game.

Germany closed to within one by going on a 10-2 run just before the conclusion of the final stanza.

Frohlich capped the run by hitting a jumper just inside the one minute mark to bring the score to 50-49 going into the fourth.

The Germans outscored Poland 13-2 to start the fourth, extending their run from the end of the third quarter to 23-5. Bibrzycka was held scoreless during the spurt.

Frohlich’s jumper made it 60-52 and a basket from Petra Gläser at the 5:11 mark put Germany up 62-52.

Bibrzycka hit a pair of jumpers to get Poland to within 66-57 with just under three minutes to play, but Germany sealed the win on three-pointer from Alexandra Muller and a jumper by Glaser inside the one minute mark.

Poland scored just seven points in the final quarter.

Malgorzata Dydek had 13 rebounds for Poland in a losing cause.

"Poland underestimated us because of the presence of Bibrzycka and Dydek," said Stolz. 

"But this was only our first step to qualify for EuroBasket 2007, nothing more."

Poland take on Croatia this Sunday, while Germany looks for their second consecutive win when they play Sweden on Saturday.