1.  Polish coach Jerzy Engel had benched six of his regular starters.

2.  Argentina prepared for two years, bringing in Cuban, Russian and Polish coaches and getting strong financial backing from Menem, a sports buff.

3.  Following tiring preparations and recent losses to Japan and Romania in warmup games, Polish coaches promise a good showing at the finals.

4.  Kipketer has undergone medical tests since then and has spent the winter training in Australia with Polish coach Slawomir Novak.

5.  The dejected Polish coach, Henryk Apostal, said afterward he would resign.

6.  Polish coach Henryk Apostel, who will give a fitness test to his playmaker Jerzy Brzeczek before the game, has offered to resign if they lose.