Ukraine's Women's Basketball Team on the Road to EuroBasket 2027
Ukraine's women's national basketball team has progressed to the second qualifying round for the 2027 European Championship. In the initial group stage, the team secured three wins from six matches, finishing third in their group. The qualification format allows the two top teams from each group, plus the three best third-placed teams, to advance. Ukraine successfully earned one of these three spots to continue their campaign for a place at EuroBasket 2027. This marks a significant step for the program as it seeks to compete among Europe's elite.
In the second round, the 17 best teams from the first phase will be joined by seven pre-qualified nations:
- Czech Republic
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Italy
- Spain
- Turkey
Ukrainian Players in Foreign Leagues
Meanwhile, Ukrainian players competing abroad continue their club seasons. Alina Iagupova's team, Cukurova Mersin, was eliminated in the Turkish League playoff semifinals by Fenerbahçe, losing the series 0–2. In the final home game, Mersin fell 65–95. Iagupova played 21 minutes in that contest, contributing 2 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal while committing 2 fouls. Since joining Mersin in mid-January, she has averaged 9.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists over 10 Turkish League games, playing an average of 23.3 minutes.
In Italy's second division, Virtus Cagliari lost to Valdarno 69–82. Serafima Tikha played 13 minutes in the match, scoring 4 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, with 1 foul and 1 turnover.
In the Czech League, Slovananka concluded their regular season with a 57–100 defeat to Hradec Králové. Slovananka finished at the bottom of the table with just one win in 22 matches. Anastasiia Kovtun played 26 minutes in the final game, recording 5 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, and 3 blocks, along with 2 fouls and 1 turnover.
The national team's qualification success and the experience its players are gaining in competitive European leagues highlight the growing stature of Ukrainian women's basketball. These parallel developments provide a foundation of optimism for the team's future prospects on the international stage.
As Ukraine's women's basketball team prepares for the next stage of qualification, they face a pivotal match that could determine their fate in the EuroBasket 2027 tournament. For a closer look at the challenges ahead and the significance of this crucial qualifier, read more about the team's upcoming battle in their final qualifying match.