Oleksandr Kovliar's Press Conference Following Spain Defeat
Ukrainian basketball star Oleksandr Kovliar addressed the media in Latvia on February 27, 2026, after his national team's 66-86 loss to Spain in a 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifier. The Ukrainian point guard discussed his own injury, his performance, and the flow of the game.
Kovliar, who has been Ukraine's top scorer in the World Cup qualification campaign, played against Spain with his shoulder taped. In this match, he scored 15 points, shooting 2 for 4 on two-pointers, 3 for 5 from three-point range, and a perfect 2 for 2 from the free-throw line. Despite his personal contribution, Kovliar stressed the team failed to secure a positive result.
"The injury didn't hinder me at all. I don't pay attention to it once I start playing basketball, as it's a minor, recurring issue in our sport. My focus is on my own game and the team's performance," said Oleksandr Kovliar.
Ukraine's loss to Spain marked their third defeat in the 2027 World Cup qualification tournament. The first half was highly competitive, but mistakes in the second half allowed Spain to pull away decisively. Kovliar noted, "We played well in the first half, but you have to make your free throws. That's especially critical against a top-tier opponent like Spain. You can't afford to miss free throws," while also expressing gratitude for the fans' support.
Kovliar also commented on the physical nature of Spain's play, stating, "I expected it. It was clear from the start they would play physical basketball, but I don't think they were significantly better or more physical than us." The Ukrainian team now aims to learn from this experience as they prepare for their upcoming qualification matches.
Match Statistics
The final score of the Ukraine vs. Spain game was 66-86 (21:17, 12:15, 14:33, 19:21). The individual scoring for the Ukrainian team was as follows:
- Lukashov 7
- Kovliar 15 + 4 assists
- Tkachenko 4
- Voinalovych 4
- Skapintsev 10 - starter
- Lypovyy 7
- Bobrov 7
- Zotov 6 + 5 assists
- Pustovyi 2
- Tyrtyshnyk 2
- Shelist 2
- Bublik 0
This defeat underscores the need for Ukraine to improve its execution on free throws and reduce overall game errors. The remaining qualifiers will be a crucial test for the squad as they look to adapt to opponents' physicality and boost their scoring efficiency. Building on positive individual performances, like that of Kovliar, the team has a foundation to improve in future contests. The World Cup qualification process is a grueling marathon, where every point and every victory is vital for a nation's basketball aspirations.