Ukraine’s National Basketball Team Defeats Lithuania
In a tightly contested matchup that ended 96–92, Ukraine’s national basketball team achieved a historic milestone by beating Lithuania on their home court for the first time ever. This game marked the second friendly match of Ukraine’s preparation for the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying rounds.
Lithuania jumped out to an early lead, taking the first quarter 27–23. Ukraine responded strongly in the second quarter, leveling the score at 55–55 by halftime. The third quarter proved decisive, with Ukraine pulling ahead 77–74. The team held onto its advantage through the final period, securing the win.
Key Players of the Match
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk was instrumental, scoring 26 points in the first half alone. Ukraine converted 13 of 36 three-point attempts, a critical factor in the victory. Lithuania’s top performers included:
- Tubelis – 28 points, 8 rebounds
- Valančiūnas – 16 points, 13 rebounds
Ukraine’s next game is on July 2 against Georgia in Riga. The team previously lost to Spain 78–64 in the fourth round of World Cup qualifying and fell 86–66 in the third round. However, they bounced back with an 88–71 win over Denmark in the second round and a 92–79 victory against Georgia in the first round of 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying. Oleksandr Kovliar, who scored 31 points in 37 minutes against Georgia, has been a standout performer.
This win over Lithuania is a significant step in Ukraine’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, highlighting the team’s improved form. For context, beating Lithuania on their home soil is a rare achievement that underscores Ukraine’s growing competitiveness on the international stage. The upcoming game against Georgia will serve as another crucial test of the squad’s readiness for the key qualifying matches ahead.
While this victory against Lithuania marks a significant achievement for Ukraine's basketball team, the road to the 2027 World Cup is fraught with challenges, as demonstrated by their recent struggle against Spain. In that match, the team faced a tough opponent, ultimately falling short in their quest for qualification. To gain a deeper understanding of the team's journey and challenges, you can read more about their performance against Spain here.