Inna Kochubei, the head coach of Ukraine's U-18 women's basketball team, revealed her expectations and preparation strategy for the upcoming European Championship Division B. The tournament will take place in Lithuania from July 4-13, with the Ukrainian squad facing significant time constraints in their preparation.
"We only have two weeks for preparation, which is very little, especially considering this is the U-18 team – essentially the transition age from youth to adult basketball. It's a real challenge for us," Kochubei explained.
Despite limited training time, the coaching staff implemented remote preparation programs in late May. Physical training coach Dmytro Bondarev and assistant coach Anna Shlykova sent players specialized exercises focusing on both physical conditioning and basketball skills. According to Kochubei, the players conscientiously completed all assignments and submitted video evidence of their work.
The team suffered one notable loss during roster formation – Svitlana Poliantseva, who won't participate due to health issues. "It's unfortunate she won't be with us, as she's a good player and fighter whom I was counting on," the coach noted.
Interestingly, many squad members will be eligible to play for the U-18 team next year as well, giving them valuable experience at the senior level. When asked about potential team leaders, Kochubei pointed to Polina Tupalo, who already has experience with the U-18 national team from last year.
"On the court, probably Polina Tupalo, who has experience playing for the U-18 team last year. As for leadership off the court... I don't know yet. Human qualities are very important to me," she said.
The Ukrainian team faces positional challenges too. "As always, we lack true point guards and centers. We have good power forwards and shooting guards," Kochubei admitted. She mentioned Anna Dziun, who played in the USA, as someone they're counting on at the point guard position, though quick acclimatization will be crucial.
By the way, Ukraine's group at the European Championship features six teams, while other groups have five – meaning an extra game and additional physical demands for Kochubei's squad. The coach emphasized this will require full roster utilization: "All 12 players who make the final roster need to play. It's not about having six core players carrying the entire load. Everyone needs to play, substitute for each other, and help each other."
Despite the challenges, Kochubei maintains high ambitions. "I always set maximum goals for my players. We need to understand it will be difficult, but we must be ready," she stated firmly.
Can this young Ukrainian team overcome their preparation limitations and positional weaknesses to make an impact in Lithuania? We'll find out when the tournament tips off in early July.
