Ukraine’s Chances Against Montenegro: Basketball Star Kovliar Weighs In

Oleksandr Kovliar Shares His Thoughts on Ukraine vs. Montenegro

According to Главком: Oleksandr Kovliar, a Ukrainian basketball player who previously suited up for Montenegro’s Budućnost, has offered his take on a potential showdown between the Ukrainian national team and Montenegro during the second stage of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA World Cup. He sized up the opposition and reflected on how Ukrainians are viewed in Montenegro.

Kovliar serves as the point guard for Ukraine’s national basketball squad. Last season, he played for Budućnost in Montenegro, a club that competed in the EuroCup, the Adriatic League, and the Montenegrin championship. According to Kovliar,

“our club had a strategy where we approached every game with the same mindset. But in my view, the EuroCup was the most important for the team. That was the top priority of the season, and it’s a real shame we couldn’t fully deliver there.”

Attitudes Toward Ukrainians and Assessment of the Opponent

Kovliar also noted that Ukrainians are well-received in Montenegro. He stated:

“I can’t say exactly how people perceive me personally, since I don’t interact much with locals-I focus on my work. But I’m confident that matches against Montenegro will be very exciting.”

Regarding the opponent, Kovliar highlighted that the Montenegrin national team features:

• strong players;
• a capable coaching staff.

He believes the team knows how to prepare effectively for games and includes naturalized American basketball players, making “a very tough opponent.” Kovliar also addressed potential obstacles to playing for the national team: “No, I haven’t heard anything like that. That’s their business and internal matters. I don’t think there would be any attempts to prevent me from playing for the national team.”

Overall, Kovliar expressed optimism about the upcoming matches against Montenegro, stressing that Ukraine must be ready for a challenging contest.

These games between Ukraine and Montenegro in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers could prove pivotal for both sides. Montenegro, with its talented roster and coaching expertise, poses a serious threat, and success in these encounters might significantly shape each team’s path to the tournament finals. The significance of these matchups is further underscored by Kovliar’s respect for the opponent and his confidence in Ukraine’s ability to rise to the occasion.

As the excitement builds for the upcoming match, it's essential to understand the broader context of the qualifiers. For a deeper insight into the challenges ahead for Ukraine's basketball team, including their specific opponents and the implications for the 2027 World Cup journey, check out our detailed coverage on Ukraine's basketball team's opponents in the qualifiers.