Valerii Plekhanov's team suffered a tough 65:85 loss to the Czech Republic in their latest match at the U-20 European Basketball Championship currently taking place in Heraklion, Greece. The Ukrainian squad's slow start proved costly in this crucial Division A contest.
"We completely missed the beginning of the game, and that set the tone for the entire match. Falling behind by 13 points early is difficult to overcome at this level," – Plekhanov likely explained after the disappointing performance.
The game began in shocking fashion for the Ukrainian side, with the Czechs launching a devastating 13-0 run. Ukraine didn't manage to score their first point until nearly four minutes into the game – 3:58 after the opening tip-off, to be exact.
The second quarter brought little relief as the Czech team continued to build their advantage. Ukraine's offense simply couldn't get going. As a result, Plekhanov's players headed to the locker room at halftime trailing by a substantial 20-point margin.
Interestingly, the Ukrainian squad showed more fight after the break. The third quarter saw them cut the deficit in half, entering the final period with a more manageable 55:45 disadvantage.
With renewed energy, the Ukrainian players attempted to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter. They came out aggressive, but their hopes were quickly dashed when the Czech Republic responded with a decisive 12-0 run that effectively sealed the outcome.
The defeat places Ukraine in a precarious position. They now face a must-win situation against Iceland in the battle for 13th-16th places. Only a victory will keep their chances alive of maintaining their status in Division A.
Can Plekhanov rally his young squad for this crucial matchup? The pressure is certainly mounting for the Ukrainian team as they fight to avoid relegation.
