Ukraine Men's Basketball Triumphs Over Greece
Ukraine's men's basketball team has taken a major step toward the 2027 FIBA World Cup by defeating Greece 82-76 in the opening game of the second qualifying round. It was a historic result—the first time Ukraine has ever beaten Greece in an official match—and also the team's fifth win of the current qualification campaign. Under head coach Ainars Bagatskis, Ukraine now has 12 points from seven games, putting them in first place in Group I for now.
The game was tightly contested, with Ukraine ahead 24-19 after the first quarter and 40-37 at halftime. In the fourth quarter, the Ukrainians pushed their lead to 13 points, though Greece managed to trim the gap to six by the final buzzer. Oleksandr Kovliar led all scorers with 18 points, adding 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Group I Standings and What's Next
Ukraine currently tops Group I, which also includes:
- Spain
- Georgia
- Montenegro
- Greece
- Portugal
Three berths for the 2027 World Cup, to be held in Qatar, will be awarded from this group. Ukraine's next assignment is an away match against Montenegro on August 31 at 21:30, broadcast on Suspilne Sport and local Suspilne channels.
This victory is a significant boost to Ukraine's qualifying hopes and gives the team extra confidence as they aim to secure a spot at the World Cup. Maintaining their lead will be crucial in the coming fixtures, starting with the decisive clash against Montenegro. For a nation still developing its basketball pedigree, beating a traditional European side is a clear sign of progress.