The Ukraine women’s national basketball team opened their 2027 FIBA Women’s European Championship Qualifiers with a 64-52 victory over Luxembourg on Wednesday, UA.NEWS reported.
Ukraine Fielded an Experimental Lineup Amid Key Absences
Ukraine entered the match under newly appointed head coach Inna Kochubei. The team fielded an experimental starting lineup due to several key absences in the backcourt and frontcourt.
Playmakers Daria Dubniuk and Olha Alekseichyk missed the contest alongside forwards Viktoria Balaban and Khrystyna Filevych. Serafima Tykha and Yuliia Gutvych stepped into the starting five to fill the gaps.
Luxembourg also played shorthanded without star scorer Joyce Hetting. Both squads struggled to find an offensive rhythm during the opening minutes of the game.
Holding Off Luxembourg’s Surge
Ukraine broke the scoring drought first, mounting a 13-0 run to seize control. Luxembourg responded late in the first quarter to narrow the deficit, trailing 20-9 at the break.
The hosts claimed momentum by winning the second and third quarters. Luxembourg repeatedly cut into the lead, pulling within five points during a tense fourth quarter.
Ukraine responded by pushing the pace in the closing minutes. The lead stretched back to nine points and eventually surpassed double digits before the final buzzer.
Alina Iagupova Led Ukraine with 20 Points
Alina Iagupova led Ukraine with 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Giedre Uro-Nilie added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Viktoria Yurkevičius posted 18 points, 13 rebounds, and five steals.
Gutvych contributed six points off the bench, and Veronika Paliuchok chipped in four.
Facing Great Britain in Manchester
The qualification tournament continues as Ukraine travels to face Great Britain on November 14 in Manchester.
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