FIBA U-20 European Championship
The men’s FIBA U-20 European Championship, Division B, is underway in Bratislava. Ukraine kicked off their campaign with a commanding 77:64 victory over Georgia. The Ukrainian squad controlled the game from start to finish, winning three of the four quarters. They jumped ahead 21:14 in the first period, extended the lead to 22:21 in the second, and despite dropping the third quarter 17:16, they closed out the contest with an 18:12 run in the final frame.
Maksym Hryshchuk led the scoring for Ukraine with 18 points, adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Desmond Yiamu recorded an impressive double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Other contributors included:
- Sushkin with 11 points and 7 assists
- Hohulenko with 10 points and 6 rebounds
- Korol adding 7 points and 3 rebounds
- Upyr, Sytar, Nykyforenko, Romanytsia, and Lypka also saw playing time
Ukraine’s next game is scheduled for July 11, 2026, against Estonia at 17:00. This early success boosts their momentum as they aim to advance in the tournament.
2027 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers – Second Round Schedule
FIBA has also released the calendar for the second round of the European qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup. Ukraine enters this stage with a record of 4 wins and 2 losses. The current standings in Group I are as follows:
- 1. Spain (5 wins, 1 loss)
- 2. Ukraine (4 wins, 2 losses)
- 3. Montenegro (4 wins, 2 losses)
- 4. Portugal (3 wins, 3 losses)
- 5. Greece (3 wins, 3 losses)
- 6. Georgia (3 wins, 3 losses)
Three teams from Group I will qualify for the World Cup.
The following matches are scheduled in Group I:
- August 28, 2026: Spain vs. Portugal; Ukraine vs. Greece; Georgia vs. Montenegro.
- August 31, 2026: Greece vs. Spain; Montenegro vs. Ukraine; Portugal vs. Georgia.
- November 26, 2026: Montenegro vs. Spain; Portugal vs. Ukraine; Greece vs. Georgia.
- November 29, 2026: Spain vs. Greece; Ukraine vs. Montenegro; Georgia vs. Portugal.
- February 26, 2027: Portugal vs. Spain; Greece vs. Ukraine; Montenegro vs. Georgia.
- March 1, 2027: Spain vs. Montenegro; Ukraine vs. Portugal; Georgia vs. Greece.
Ukraine continues to compete on the European stage, showing strong form at the U-20 Championship. A successful start in the group stage improves their chances of advancing further. The upcoming match against Estonia will be a key step in their tournament run and will also help prepare the team for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. These players have the opportunity to showcase their skills and strengthen Ukraine’s presence in international basketball.
As the men's U-20 team gears up for their next match against Estonia, it's worth noting the impressive performance of the U-20 women's basketball team, who recently showcased their strength by defeating Romania at the European Championship. This demonstrates the depth of talent within Ukrainian basketball and sets a promising tone for future competitions.