EuroBasket 2027 Qualifier: Ukraine vs. Montenegro
In a pivotal match for EuroBasket 2027 qualification, the Ukrainian women's national basketball team will face Montenegro in Riga on March 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM Kyiv time. The outcome is critical for both teams' chances of advancing to the next tournament stage. To secure progression, Ukraine must either win or lose by a margin of fewer than six points. This qualifier is part of a challenging group stage where every point matters.
Leading up to the match, bookmaker GGBET set the odds for a Ukrainian victory at 1.41, a Montenegrin win at 3.27, and a draw at 16.16. Ukraine won the previous encounter between these teams with a score of 65:71. Key performers from that game were:
- Miriam Uro-Nile, who scored 20 points;
- Tetyana Yurkevichus, who collected 15 rebounds;
- Alina Yagupova, who delivered 11 assists.
Team Roster Updates
The Ukrainian squad will see some changes. Daria Dubniuk is unavailable due to a knee injury, and Viktoria Balaban is out of the roster as she continues her post-maternity leave recovery. However, debutantes Polina Tupalo and Serafima Tikha have been added to the squad, indicating the coaching staff's intent to bolster the team's depth.
Montenegro will also field a strong lineup, featuring naturalized American player Natasa Mack, 20-year-old Jovana Savkovic, and the experienced Bojana Kovacevic. These players are key leaders for their team and will significantly influence the match's outcome.
Ukraine's women's national team matches in March will be broadcast on the Suspilne Sport TV channel and website, on local Suspilne channels, and via Kyivstar TV. Following the game against Montenegro, Ukraine has two more fixtures scheduled:
- On March 14, 2026, the team will play Bulgaria in Plovdiv at 7:00 PM;
- On March 17, 2026, they will face Azerbaijan in Baku at 5:00 PM.
Ukraine's key players remain captain Alina Yagupova, Tetyana Yurkevichus, and Miriam Uro-Nile. The backcourt is represented by Olga Alexeichik and Kristina Filevich. Conversely, Montenegro's leaders will be Natasa Mack, Jovana Savkovic, and Bojana Kovacevic. This match promises to be tense and compelling, as both teams are determined to succeed on the international stage.
The Ukraine vs. Montenegro clash represents a decisive moment in the EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers, with both sides aiming to solidify their positions for advancement. Given the history between the teams and previous results, the game is expected to be highly competitive and emotionally charged.