Ukrainian women's 3x3 basketball team clinched their ticket to the 2025 European Championship after a nail-biting victory over Latvia in the qualification tournament in Bucharest. The hard-fought 15:14 win secured Ukraine's place in the continental championship finals, continuing their impressive tradition in this format of the game.
"Every qualification tournament is a battle, and this one was particularly challenging. The team showed incredible resilience when it mattered most," – commented one of the team members after the decisive match.
This qualification marks the ninth time that Ukrainian women have reached the European Championship finals in 3x3 basketball. By the way, they've won first place in qualifying tournaments five times throughout their history, demonstrating consistent excellence in the preliminary stages.
The women's 3x3 squad remains one of Ukraine's most successful teams in collective sports. Their medal cabinet includes silver from the 2016 World Championship and bronze medals from both the 2017 World Championship and the 2018 European Championship.
During the qualification tournament in Bucharest, the team displayed impressive form. They defeated Turkey 13:11 in the group stage and dominated Serbia with a commanding 21:8 victory. Though they suffered a setback against Hungary (11:21), they bounced back with a convincing 21:10 win over Greece.
The qualification journey wasn't smooth sailing. After navigating through the group stage, the team faced Latvia in a decisive playoff match. The close 15:14 scoreline shows just how competitive women's 3x3 basketball has become at the European level.
Looking at Ukraine's history in this competition reveals both consistency and resilience. Their participation in European Championships stretches back to 2014, with notable results including a third-place finish in 2018 when they defeated Italy 17:16 in the bronze medal match.
The team has evolved over the years, with players like Khrystyna Filevych becoming fixtures in the squad. She has represented Ukraine in multiple tournaments, including the recent qualification campaign.
Can this generation of Ukrainian 3x3 basketball players match or even surpass the achievements of their predecessors in the upcoming European Championship? With their qualification secured, all eyes will be on their performance when the championship begins.
