By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Ukraine picked up a narrow 84–82 victory over Latvia in a thrilling exhibition matchup at Xiaomi Arena on Sunday, fueled by an outstanding performance from Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk.
The Utah Jazz guard-forward dictated the tempo early on, exploding for 23 of his game-high 25 points in the first half to propel his side to a double-digit advantage. The 29-year-old Cherkasy native finished his efficient 27-minute stint shooting 9-of-17 from the field, sinking five three-pointers. He added six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. The contest also marked a memorable senior national team debut for Max Shulga, who contributed eight points to the triumph.
Despite the early deficit, Latvia engineered a fierce second-half comeback driven by Arturs Strautins, who poured in 20 points. The visitors briefly turned the tide to lead by nine, but head coach Ainars Bagatskis rallied Ukraine down the stretch to reclaim the upper hand.
Both nations used the exhibition to fine-tune strategies ahead of the upcoming FIBA window, which marks the start of the second and final round of the European Qualifiers for the FIBA World Cup 2027. Ukraine enters Group I with a 4–2 record, sitting one match clear of the elimination zone. Following the remaining international fixtures, Mykhailiuk will shift his focus toward the Preseason schedule with the Jazz. Meanwhile, Latvia begins Group J with a 3–3 record, trailing the top-three qualifying zone for next summer’s tournament in Qatar by a single game.
In other Sunday action, Lithuania staged a comeback in front of a home crowd at Arena Vilnius, overcoming a 14-point deficit to defeat Michigan 96–84. Azuolas Tubelis spearheaded the resurgence under head coach Rimas Kurtinaitis, dominating the floor with 31 points on an efficient 12-of-15 shooting display. Like their Baltic neighbors, they will carry this momentum into Group J, where they currently hold a 3–3 record.
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