When Ukraine resume their EuroBasket Women 2017 qualifying campaign next month, they will do so by calling upon several players who don't even play their club basketball on the continent.

In something of a unique situation, there is a Ukrainian women's basketball enclave forming almost 3,000 km east of Kiev in the Asian nation of Kazakhstan.

It's not only a distinctive situation because of the fact so many Ukraine players have opted to locate outside of Europe, but because there are only three teams in the Kazakhstan League.

While that is something of an issue, the Ukrainian players do at least get to further hone their skills and fine-tune their competitive edge in the Baltic Women's Basketball League - taking on opponents from Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia and their own homeland.

Indeed, one of the biggest women's stars in Europe in the shape of Alina Iagupova quit her short-lived EuroLeague Women career with Mithra Castors Braine in favour of penning a deal with Okzhetpes.

Iagupova dropped a spectacular and scintillating 41 points last week to show that while no longer competing at the highest level from a club standpoint, she is still likely to be the main protagonist when international duties resume.

Ganna Zarytska is another one of those players to have made the move to Kazakhstan - joining the likes of Olga Dubrovina, Ievgeniia Spitkovska and of course, Iagupova.The 29-year-old forward is excited by what will be a monumental test of Ukraine's EuroBasket Women 2017 credentials when they entertain reigning champions Serbia in their next qualification game.

Yet far from being daunted, Zarytska is adamant Ukraine will be able to compete and push the holders - especially having already recorded a perfect two-from-two against Luxembourg and Germany in the first window last November.

"We always respect the opponents, but no one is afraid [of Serbia]," she insisted.

"We start with a 100% readiness for this game.

"For the same girls last year with the same opponent before EuroBasket Women 2015, we met in a preparation tournament and the game was equal.

"So we will go out only to win, to fight and to fall onto each and every ball.

"Our efforts and ethos are focused on playing one for all and all for one - only then can we achieve the desired outcome.

"The support of fans is also of great importance," continued Zarytska.

"It's nice to play when there is a full arena and everyone is there to cheer for you.

"Therefore, I invite everyone to come to the Sports Palace in Kiev."

Ukraine are looking to secure a spot at what would be their third consecutive Final Round.

FIBA