By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Ukraine defeated Greece 82-76 in Riga to strengthen their position in Group I of the 2027 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers.
Oleksandr Kovliar led Ukraine with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Maksym Shulga added 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk finished with 13 points and Andrii Voinalovych contributed 11 points.
Nick Calathes paced Greece with 17 points and eight assists, followed by Tyler Dorsey with 16 points. Konstantinos Mitoglou added 13 points and six rebounds in the losing effort.
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Greece remained competitive throughout the first half and briefly moved ahead 37-36, but Ukraine took control after the break. Ainars Bagatskis’ team capitalized on several empty possessions by the visitors and built a 62-54 advantage entering the fourth quarter. Ukraine extended the difference to 13 points at 79-66 and still led 80-66 with just over four minutes remaining. Greece responded with a 10-0 run and cut the deficit to four in the final minute, but Oleksandr Kovliar converted two free throws with 11 seconds left to secure the win.
Ukraine improved to 5-2, while Greece dropped to 3-4 after its third consecutive defeat in the qualifiers. With five games remaining, Greece now faces an increasingly difficult battle for a top-three finish and a place at the 2027 World Cup.
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