Inna Kochubey, head coach of Ukraine's U-18 women's national basketball team, has announced a 15-player extended squad for the upcoming European Championship in Division B. From this group, the coaching staff will select the final 12 players who will represent Ukraine at the tournament in Lithuania from July 4-13.
"We evaluated a large list of candidates, watched them play, and assessed whether they could adapt to what we want to implement and how we envision this team," Kochubey explained.
The Ukrainian squad faces a challenging group stage where they'll compete against the host nation Lithuania, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, and Azerbaijan.
The extended roster includes Anna Dziun, Maria Solovian, Nika Zhdanova, Valeria Kutsenko, Victoria Petryshak, Polina Tupalo, Victoria Anisimova, Daria Ishchuk, Anna Slastion, Ivanna Pikush, Victoria Levontiuk, Valeria Shevchenko, Daryna Lesko, Tetiana Konovalova, and Anzhelika Kostiv.
Kochubey noted one significant absence from the squad. "The only notable loss is Svitlana Polyantseva, who has some health issues and decided to address them this summer. It's unfortunate she won't be with us, as she's a good player, a fighter, and I was counting on her."
Interestingly, many players in the current roster will remain eligible for the U-18 team next year as well. "These girls need to understand that this is already adult basketball," Kochubey added. "But all this comes with experience and games."
Can this young Ukrainian squad make an impact in Division B and possibly earn promotion? The team's preparation will be crucial in the weeks leading up to the tournament.
