Murzin: Serbia showed a high percentage of three-pointers, we had mistakes during pressure

Head coach Ukrainian women’s basketball team Evgeniy Murzin commented on the defeat from Serbia (53:79) in the fourth round of qualifying for European Championship 2025.

“We sorted out our rivals well, paid more attention to Nevena Rosic, Yvonne Anderson, Jovana Nogic and Angela Dugalic. We had to cope with them, but the Serbians showed a high percentage of three-pointers in the first half, including very difficult shots… They scored 75% of three-pointers before the big break, we conceded 50 points, which is a lot. We looked better in the second half and won the third quarter. But mistakes during pressure when releasing the ball neutralized all our work.”

“We knew that Serbia would play aggressively, that they would play trash talk defense against the pick-and-roll, we knew that they wouldn’t let Alina Yagupova breathe. We, in turn, seemed to have free throws, but compared to the first game, where we showed 40% of hits, in the second match it was only 25%.”

“The breakthrough in the third quarter was successful, first of all, thanks to dedication. We had a conversation in the locker room and managed to create a good atmosphere on the floor. I repeat, we did a lot of work preparing for Serbia, everyone had a great desire to play. Yes, we got to 10 points, as if we were starting to break the game, but two losses in a row immediately set us back.”

“Of course, it was very important to give playing time to young basketball players. Where else can they get this kind of experience? There were players from the Ukrainian U-20 national team, they played in the European Championship in the summer, I know them well, I know how they work, I know their strengths and capabilities, but psychologically the first matches for the national team are always stressful.”

“I rate this situation poorly. The leader and captain Alina Yagupova has a very great influence on the team and on the team’s performance. If it had been in the first window, then at least we would have played better against Portugal. I don’t know how it was against Serbia, but we would have played better against the Portuguese and increased our chances of reaching the final.”

Evgeniy Murzin’s team takes third place in Group G with 5 points. The blue-and-yellows are three points behind leader Serbia and have lost their chance to win their quartet.

Let us remember that during the first window in November 2023, the blue-yellows first lost to Serbia on the road (40:82), and then lost to Portugal (63:78). The Ukrainians won their first victory only in the third round in the game with North Macedonia (98:49).

The final two matches in the group will take place in February 2025. The winner of the group, as well as the team that took one of the four best second places (a total of 8 quartets in the qualifications) advance to the final part of the tournament.

Women’s EuroBasket 2025 will be held for the first time in four countries – Italy, Greece, the Czech Republic and Germany. The teams of these countries received places in the final part and will play each other for FIBA ​​ranking points in Group I.