The Ukraine women's national basketball team made a confident start in the second round of the EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers, securing an away victory against Luxembourg with a score of 64:52. This was the opening match for the Ukrainian team in the current window, and the "blue-and-yellows" demonstrated a high level of play from the very first minutes, seizing the initiative and holding it until the final buzzer. The victory allowed the Ukrainian team to take second place in the group standings, trailing only the French national team.
Starting Surge and Control of the Game
The Ukrainian basketball players began the match with a powerful push, executing a 13:0 opening run that immediately set the tone for the entire game. The hosts from Luxembourg managed to slightly narrow the gap during the first ten minutes, but by the end of the quarter, the "blue-and-yellows" already led by 11 points at 20:9. Such a start allowed the Ukrainians to play calmly and confidently, controlling the tempo and preventing their opponents from gaining momentum.
Luxembourg's Resistance and the Decisive Fourth Quarter
In the second and third quarters, the Luxembourg national team attempted to turn the tide, gradually reducing their deficit. By the start of the final stretch, the gap between the teams had narrowed to five points, creating a certain tension. However, in the final quarter, the Ukrainians once again increased their aggressiveness in attack and defense, preventing their opponents from turning the match into a dramatic finale. The final score was 64:52 in favor of the Ukrainian team.
Yagupova and Yurkevych — The Main Heroes of the Match
The top scorer of the encounter was Alina Yagupova, who tallied 20 points. Her shots and attacking plays were crucial at moments when Luxembourg attempted to close the gap. Tetyana Yurkevych added another 18 points, making a significant contribution to the team's victory. Two other players from the Ukrainian squad reached double figures, highlighting the balanced offensive potential of the team in this match.
Group Standings and Upcoming Matches
This victory allowed the Ukraine women's team to secure second place in the group standings. The leader of the quartet is the French national team, which crushed Great Britain 104:57 in another match of the game day, demonstrating overwhelming dominance. Thus, the Ukrainians approach the end of the November window trailing the leader by just one point.
Schedule of Remaining November Window Matches
Before the current international window closes, the Ukrainian basketball players have two more games to play. On Saturday, November 14, the "blue-and-yellows" will play away against Great Britain, with the match starting at 18:00 Kyiv time. On Tuesday, November 17, in Riga, Ukraine will host the French national team (starting at 15:00). Both matches will be crucial for determining the final group positions and prospects for the next qualifying stage.
