Ukraine in overtime defeated Bulgaria in the pre-qualification of the Olympics. Blue-yellows led +25 during the match

Men’s national basketball team of Ukraine won in overtime Bulgaria in the first match of group C pre-qualifying tournament for the 2024 Olympicswhich takes place in Istanbul.

Vitaliy Stepanovskiy’s team seized the initiative in the match from the first minutes and won the first quarter with a difference of 17 points – 27:10. In the course of the second 10-minute period, the blue-yellows led +25 (35:10), but by the big break, the Bulgarians reduced the gap to 11 points – 40:29.

The third quarter also remained with Bulgaria. At the end of the fourth 10-minute period, the Ukrainians led by +9, but allowed the opponent to bounce back and take the lead. At the last second, Vyacheslav Kravtsov equalized the score (68:68) and could even bring victory to the blue-yellows, but did not convert a free throw. In overtime, Stepanovsky’s team still put the squeeze on the opponent – 80:71.

Alexander Kovlyar became the most productive player of the meeting with 25 points and 7 assists. We also note Vyacheslav Bobrov – 9 points and 11 rebounds.

Ukraine will play the next match on August 13 against Iceland. On August 15, the blue-yellows will play with Turkey. The top two teams in the group will advance to the playoffs. Only the winner of the pre-qualifying tournament will receive a seat in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

• Basketball. Olympics 2024. Pre-qualifying tournament. Group C

Ukraine – Bulgaria – 80:71 OT (27:10, 13:19, 15:19, 13:20, 12:3)

Ukraine: Kovlyar (25 + 7 assists + 4 losses), Krutous (11), Pustovoy (11 + 7 rebounds + 3 losses), Bobrov (9 + 11 rebounds), Kravtsov (8), Voinalovich (7 + 6 rebounds), Petrov ( 5 + 10 rebounds + 6 assists), Mishula (4), Zotov (0), Tyrtyshnik (0)