Ukraine beat the national team of Iceland and approached the passing third place
Main coach national team of Ukraine Ainars Bagatskis commented on the victory over Iceland in the qualifying match for the basketball World Cup 2023.
“As you all know, we have had a lot of changes in the team – seven new players compared to the application for the European Championship. I’m really happy for all the experienced players – Kravtsov, Lipovy, Lukashov, who really gave their all in these matches and showed what Ukraine means to them.”
“Regarding the game, it was not easy, because Iceland plays a rather atypical basketball for Europe. They have one real “big” and with every action outside of the “paint” they use the “paint”.
Therefore, it was necessary to play well in attack, make the right decisions, look for good shots, without fake rebounds, interceptions, return to defense. After all, playing in transitions is the best they can do. All defensemen are not very good shooters, but they shoot when they see the basket.”
“We changed our defensive game a bit, compared to what we had in Reykjavik, in particular against team leader Fridriksson, who “kicked our ass” back then. We played more aggressively and his shooting rate of 2 out of 12 shows it was the right decision.”
“I am happy for the team, thankful to all the players. I wish speedy freedom to Europe and Ukraine.”
The Ukrainian national team beat Iceland in the 2023 World Cup qualification (79:72). The Ukrainians remained in fourth place, but now they are one point behind Iceland, which is in third place. Recall that three teams will qualify for the next round of selection for the 2023 World Cup.
The next qualifying match will take place in February. The national team of Ukraine on the road will play with Italy. In August, the wards of Bagatskis lost to the Appeninians in the selection of the 2023 World Cup. Later, the blue-yellows managed to beat Italy already in the framework of EuroBasket 2022.
Source: Sportarena
