Ukraine Men's 3x3 Basketball Roster Revealed
Head coach Volodymyr Zhurzhiy has finalized the lineup for Ukraine's men's 3x3 basketball team ahead of the 2026 European Championship qualifiers, scheduled for June 16-17 in Bucharest. Competing in Group D, Ukraine's first opponent will be Greece. Preparations for this crucial tournament kicked off on May 27 in Tallinn, Estonia.
The squad features four players: Illia Kabatsiura, Serhii Startsev, Artem Lopukhov, and Vladyslav Mustiatsa. Each athlete trained under a specific coach during their development—Kabatsiura under Ihor Kobets, Startsev under Liudmyla Koval, Lopukhov under Oleksandr Yakovenko, and Mustiatsa under Oksana Karpelenia. The training camp in Tallinn also included Yaroslav Karpiuk, Oleksandr Diupin, Lev Koshevatskyi, Yevhen Sorochan, and others.
Road to the 2026 European Championship
In the qualification phase, Ukraine landed in Group D, where they will face Greece on June 16 at 18:15. If they finish first in the group, they advance to the first playoff round against the runner-up from Group B. A second-place finish would pit them against the Group B winner. The two finalists will secure spots at the 2026 European Championship.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's basketball program is also pursuing qualification for the 2027 World Cup. In the fourth round, the team suffered a 78:64 loss to Spain. Earlier, in the third round, Spain defeated Ukraine 86:66, while the second round saw a strong 88:71 victory over Denmark. Notably, in the first match of World Cup qualifying, Ukraine beat Georgia 92:79, with Oleksandr Kovliar scoring 31 points.
The schedule for Ukraine's men's team in the 2026 European Championship qualifiers is as follows:
- Tuesday, June 16: 18:15 Ukraine vs. Greece
- Wednesday, June 17: 14:30 Group D winner vs. Group B runner-up
- Wednesday, June 17: 17:05 Group D runner-up vs. Group B winner
- Wednesday, June 17: 18:50 Deciding qualification matches
Ukraine's team continues its preparations for these major competitions, aiming for strong performances in both tournaments.
This qualification represents a critical step for the Ukrainian squad, as a successful campaign could earn them a place in the prestigious European Championship. Additionally, the team is working to improve its results in World Cup qualifying, underscoring the importance of these events for the growth of basketball in Ukraine. The presence of experienced coaches and players could be a decisive factor in achieving positive outcomes.
As the men's team gears up for the Euro 2026 qualifiers, it's worth noting that the women's squad is also making strides in international competitions. Recently, Ukraine’s women’s 3x3 basketball team announced their roster for the 2026 World Cup, highlighting the parallel efforts of both teams to secure their spots on the global stage. This continued commitment to excellence in basketball reflects the growing talent and ambition within Ukraine's sports programs.