Ukraine's EuroBasket Qualifying Hopes Dented by Montenegro Despite Yagupova's Record-Breaking Performance

Defeat Against Montenegro

According to Главком: Ukraine's women's national basketball team suffered a 61:79 defeat to Montenegro in a qualifying match for the 2027 FIBA Women's EuroBasket. This loss caused Ukraine to drop to third place in Group E, ceding the second position to Montenegro. The European qualifying process is fiercely competitive, with only the top teams from each group advancing to the final tournament.

The game was a tale of two halves for the Ukrainian side. While the first three quarters were closely contested, the team faltered in the final period, unable to maintain the pace, which led to a significant deficit. The quarter-by-quarter scores were:

• 1st quarter: 21:28
• 2nd quarter: 17:10
• 3rd quarter: 15:18
• 4th quarter: 8:23

Records and Upcoming Fixtures

Despite the team's loss, Alina Yagupova, one of Ukraine's key players, delivered a standout individual performance. She set a new scoring record for the EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers, posting 31 points along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. This eclipsed the previous record of 29 points, held by the Netherlands' Emese Hof since November 18, 2025, in a game against Slovenia. Yagupova's effort also ranked among the top five individual performances of the entire qualifying matchday.

In the updated Group E standings, Bulgaria leads with 4 wins and 8 points. Montenegro and Ukraine now follow with 2 wins and 6 points each, while Azerbaijan sits at the bottom without a victory.

Ukraine's next qualifying matches are against Bulgaria on March 14, 2026, at 19:00 in Plovdiv, followed by a game against Azerbaijan on March 17, 2026, at 17:00 in Baku.

This defeat marks a critical juncture in Ukraine's qualifying campaign, forcing the team to regroup for the upcoming fixtures to improve its position in the group. While Yagupova's record-breaking night provides a significant morale boost, the team must translate individual brilliance into collective results. The upcoming clashes with Bulgaria and Azerbaijan will be decisive for Ukraine's chances of securing a spot in the final tournament.