Ukraine Beats Greece 82-76 in Basketball World Cup Qualifier

Ukraine's basketball team just proved that resilience and teamwork can turn a tight game into a triumphant victory.

On August 28, 2026, Ukraine's national basketball team defeated Greece 82-76 in Kyiv during the second round of 2027 World Cup qualifying matches. The win wasn't easy, with both teams battling neck and neck through three intense quarters.

Ukraine started strong, taking the first quarter 24-19. But Greece fought back in the second quarter, briefly grabbing the lead before Ukraine entered halftime with a slim 40-37 advantage.

The tension continued after the break as Greece stayed close, refusing to let Ukraine pull away. The Ukrainian team maintained their lead, but just barely, setting up a nail-biting final quarter.

Then came the turning point. With just four minutes left in the game, Ukraine launched an impressive 13-point run fueled by a series of successful three-pointers. Oleksandr Kovliar led the charge, finishing as the game's top scorer with 18 points.

Greece attempted one last comeback, cutting Ukraine's lead down to just 6 points in the final minutes. But the Ukrainian team held their ground, securing the 82-76 victory and thrilling fans at home.

The Ripple Effect

This victory represents more than just points on a scoreboard. Ukraine now sits firmly in second place in their qualifying group with five wins out of seven matches, putting them in strong position to advance to the 2027 Basketball World Cup.

The win continues Ukraine's impressive qualifying campaign, following their earlier victory against Georgia. Each game brings the team closer to representing their country on the world stage.

Ukraine's next test comes Monday, August 31, when they face Montenegro at 9:30 PM Kyiv time. With momentum on their side and their confidence growing, the team is ready to keep fighting for their World Cup dreams.