Not a critical fiasco. Ukraine closed the fight in the group with a defeat to Croatia

The Blue-Yellows secured their spot in the continental forum playoffs ahead of schedule. The main issue was only the last position of the team in the table of group B. Even in the event of a defeat by the Croats, the Ukrainians had a chance to finish second. They could have scored less than 8 points, hoping for the Italian team’s victory over the English team.

The first quarter of the match against the Croats was marked by the transition of initiative from one team to another. Neither the Croats nor the Ukrainians were convincing enough, initially allowing their opponents to take the lead by 4 points and then leading most of the 10-minute period. And in the end it was a draw – 21:21.

Starting the second quarter with a 9:0 attack, the Balkans quickly gained a 12-point advantage – 41:29, 43:31. To honor the coach of the Ukrainian team Bagatskis, they found the right words for the guards and managed to turn the game on their side. As a result, after 10 minutes, the basketball players of the Croatian national team could not help the enthusiasm of the Ukrainians. And the opponents left to take a huge advantage, with only the three-point advantage of the “checkered” team – 45:42.

At the end of the third quarter of the game, the scoreboard showed a draw – 67:67. In the fourth quarter, passions were assured, and those expectations were justified. At one point, the Ukrainian basketball players managed to take the lead by 4 points – 79:75. It was a success, but only local – it did not guarantee anything. The Croats scored 11 points in a row and have already taken a comfortable handicap – 86:79. At the end of 10 minutes, the Ukrainians did everything possible not to lose unnecessary “minus 8” or more. However, in the end, the Croats had no desire to finish the Bagatskis team: Bogdanovich deliberately did not take the last free kick, choosing an opponent in the quarterfinals (not Slovenia), and his partners allowed the opponent to score points. without fighting in the return attack. As a result, 85:90 – the “blue-yellows” lost, but with a high probability they could take the second place in group C.

Now Ukraine is in third place behind Croatia (both teams have 8 points each). Only when they beat Great Britain on the day’s evening show Italy can catch them. And then there will be a “spin” of three teams – this is where the Ukrainian team should rise to second place. Generally welcome.

European Basketball Championship. Group C 5th round

Croatia – Ukraine – 90:85 (21:21, 24:21, 22:25, 23:18)

Croatia: Simon (11 points + 6 rebounds), Bogdanovich (27 + 7), Zubac (10 + 8), Saric (3 + 3), Smith (7 + 1), Mavra (13 + 2), Khezonya (6 + 1) , Matkovic (10+6), Ramlyak (3+3).

Ukraine: Lukashov (5+1), Mikhailyuk (14+5), Bliznyuk (16+8), Gerun (21+6), Sloth (6+3), Bobrov (8+2), Pustovoy (4+2), Sanon (11+3), Zotov, Sidorov, Tkachenko (0+1).

Milan, Italy). Sports complex “Mediolanum Forum”.