Ukraine's Basketball Team Opens World Cup Qualifiers with Two Decisive Victories

Ukraine's Basketball Squad Begins World Cup Campaign with Strong Results

According to Главком: Ukraine's national basketball team has launched its qualification campaign for the 2027 FIBA World Cup with two convincing wins, defeating both Georgia and Denmark. The team secured a 92:79 victory over Georgia, led by Oleksandr Kovliar who scored a game-high 31 points in 37 minutes of play. He was supported by Oleksandr Lypovyy, who added 13 points, and Viacheslav Bobrov, who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

In its second qualifying match, Ukraine triumphed over Denmark with a score of 88:71. After these two games, the Ukrainian squad sits among the top two teams in its group, showing promising consistency. The next qualifying window is scheduled for February 2026, giving the team time to build on this momentum.

Ukrainian Players' Performances in Club Competitions

It is worth noting that national team guard Oleksandr Kovliar is also active in club play. In a recent Adriatic League game for his club 'Buducnost' against 'Crvena Zvezda', Kovliar played 17 minutes, contributing 6 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 2 steals. So far this Adriatic League season, he has appeared in 15 games, averaging 18.7 minutes, 7.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

Another national team member, Oleksandr Kobzisty, played 12 minutes in the match against Denmark, scoring 3 points and grabbing 1 rebound. These performances by Ukrainian players on both the international and club stages highlight their growing skill level and team cohesion.

Ukraine's successful start to the 2027 World Cup qualifiers underscores the team's rising potential on the global basketball stage.

Source: Official website of the Basketball Federation of Ukraine

Following two wins against strong opponents like Georgia and Denmark, the Ukrainian players are demonstrating not just individual talent but effective teamwork, a crucial factor for success in the ongoing qualification process. The upcoming matches in 2026 could prove decisive in solidifying the strong position earned at the start of the campaign.