Ukraine win in Slovak Republic, hosts and Danes have reasons to smile

PRIEVIDZA (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers) – Ukraine managed to give playing time to players who had seen little action previously and still top a four-nation warm-up tournament in Prievidza, Slovak Republic. The hosts, as well as Denmark who finished in second and third place, respectively, have drawn many encouraging conclusions from the event while Switzerland were on the receiving end of three alarming defeats. All four teams are in preparations for the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers, which tip off 31 August.

The Ukrainian side held off Slovak Repubic 72-65 in the opener on the back of 12 points from each of Kyrylo Fesenko and Oleksandr Lypovyy, prevailed 91-75 over the Swiss in the second game and concluded the tournament with a 90-71 victory over Denmark.

“We understand each other better, we know what to expect from one another and we are ready at about 80% to 85%." - Kyrylo Fesenko

Dmytro Gliebov, who had initially been ruled out of this qualifying campaign due to injury, pulled on the Ukraine jersey for the first time this summer. Meanwhile Artem Pustovyi stepped in for Viacheslav Kravtsov who sat out the tournament to get rested and put in some impressive displays, leading Ukraine in rebounds in the event.

"Everything turned out as we wanted, we got some international experience and the overall victory in the tournament, so I think this is a good result," commented Ukraine head coach Yevgeny Murzin. "We were able to work on some plays, both defensively and offensively and we also managed to give game time to Pustovyi and Gliebov, who had not gone to Georgia [where Ukraine had taken part in their previous friendly tournament].

Slovak Republic's Michal Batka finished as the tournament top scorer

"Denys Lukashov has some problems with his Achilles tendon and we decided to rest him but he is all right to play in the Qualifiers. The main positive aspect of this tournament is that the team has increased confidence in its potential," coach Murzin concluded.

Ukraine still have margin for improvement, according to their captain Kyrylo Fesenko. "We understand each other better, we know what to expect from one another and we are ready at about 80% to 85%," the big man said. "We have 10 days left until the Qualifiers and we will try to use the remaining time in the most constructive way to get there. It is time now to focus on playing schemes and tactical interaction rather than physical condition. Practices will now be a little longer, but also a little more interesting."

"The Federation has now assured that we have a good preparation, we have a high-quality head coach in Ivan Rudez, who have excellent assistants and physiotherapists, we have just about everything we need.” - Michal Batka

Following their loss to Ukraine, the Slovak Republic went on to beat Denmark 80-72 thanks to a 29-point display from Michal Batka and then defeated Switzerland 88-78. The Danes managed to turn heads nonetheless as they clinched an 86-75 victory over the Swiss, behind 17 points from Gabriel Iffe Lundberg.

"The first game showed that we can compete with Ukraine, which has experience with multiple participations at EuroBasket," said Batka, who led the Slovak Republic in scoring at the tournament. "We fought for the victory and it was pretty tight, and that encouraged us to do better in the next games. Playing three games in three days is not easy and therefore I am happy that we finished the tournament with a win over Switzerland."

"In the past, we would get together for just a couple of weeks before the start of the qualifying campaign and had too much to do in very little time, which was not possible," Batka added. "The Federation has now assured we have a good preparation, we have a high-quality head coach in Ivan Rudez, we have excellent assistants and physiotherapists, we have just about everything we need."

FIBA