By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
After falling to Germany yesterday, Georgia also lost to Ukraine 81-88 and fell to a 1-2 record despite the fact that Slava Kravtsov could not help Ukraine as he missed the game due to back issues.
Ukraine showed from the start how important this game was for them, while Georgia looked ‘flat’. The first half ended 38-51 in favor of Ukraine. This lead increased to 15 points, but Toko Pachulia and Zaza Shengelia sparked a comeback for Georgia and made it a four points game at the end of the third (63-67) and also in the closing minutes (78-82). However, they couldn’t get any closer.
The star: Denys Lukashov was the distributor and the star of the game as he finished with 17 points, 11 assists (NT record), 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Oleksander Lypovyy was also impressive for Ukraine. He finished with 17 points. Artem Pustovyi was also spectacular to watch with highlight plays on both sides of the court. He finished the game with 19 points.
The comeback that fell short: During the second half Georgia finally “woke up” and they were in the game almost until the end. However, Lukashov, Lypovyy, and Pustovyi kept making shots which eventually led to their first victory.
Not enough: Zaza Pachulia did the ‘dirty’ work for Georgia and also finished with 17 points. Toko Shengelia added 16 points. Georgi Shermandini off the bench was really good, especially in the first half. He finished with 17 points.
Photo Credit: FIBA Europe