By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
LIVORNO, Italy – Ukraine needed an on-the-road victory against the already qualified Italy in order to keep hoping for a spot in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but they lost 85-75 against the Azzurri.
After the game, both the head coach Ainars Bagatskis and the 23-year-old talented point guard Issuf Sanon sent their message to the Ukrainian people, with the first anniversary of the Russian invasion marking in these hours.
“I’ve been living 7 years in Ukraine and I feel like a Ukrainian, but we can just imagine how are these guys feeling. When we stayed together before the game with Italy, hearing that crowd that really supported us, was a very special feeling. Thank you for supporting Ukraine”, Ainars Bagatskis said.
Issuf Sanon, who had 15 points and was the highest scorer on his team, followed. “What I can say, it’s really hard. In my opinion, we just have to do our job no matter what, because the people in Ukraine struggle more than us. We have to do our job and show love to Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!”, the upcoming Ukrainian superstar added.
Then, Ukraine’s big man Vyacheslav Bobrov also sent a message to his country. “It’s tough to play because a lot of people can’t even watch basketball and stay safe. We’re happy we are here and we continue to play for our country. We can also show basketball to people, that we are still fighting on and off the court. It’s our message: keep fighting and we will win”, Budivelnyk’s own said.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers