Ainars BAGATSKIS: “I talked about leaving the Ukrainian national team with feelings”

In EuroBasket 2022, the Ukrainian team could not overcome the resistance of the Polish team, which became one of the openings of the tournament, and finished in the 1/8 final stage. Immediately after the match against the Poles, Ainars Bagatskis told the players that he was leaving the national team. However, after a while, it was announced that Bagatskis extended his contract with the Blue-Yellows until the 2023 World Cup elections were completed.

“Ukrainian team could have played better in EuroBasket. One hundred percent. But they could have played worse. I know it could be a little better.

What I said to the players after the Poland game was emotional. Then I had time to calm down and watch the games we played in the tournament. I made this decision for myself on feelings. I was angry because I thought we could move on. I blamed myself. When I watched the matches, I felt relieved.

When the Ukrainian Basketball Federation offered me to finish what I started, I accepted. I see what I can give the team. It is also a great honor and responsibility for me to be the coach of the Ukrainian national team. I have to work to help Ukrainian basketball like I did before.”

It will be a slightly different team in the final qualifiers for the World Cup. Firstly, he will not be an NBA player, which is impossible. In the last three years, nearly all potential candidates have been on the national team, at least in training camps. Now some players will join the national team, while others will have other roles in the team.

We need to win four games to qualify for the World Cup. Minimum. Still, one has to hope that other results coincide. As for motivation, that’s an interesting question. I’m listening to Gregg Popovich. “I’ve been a coach for a hundred years and I never talked about motivation,” he said. The players themselves must know how to find motivation during matches, how to work in training. How else can you motivate yourself without going to the World Cup, Ainars Bagatskis explained on The Game YouTube channel?

On November 11, the Ukrainian team will play away with the Netherlands, and on November 14, Iceland will host the team in Riga. After six rounds, the Blue-Yellows are in 5th place in Group L. The top three teams in the group qualify for the 2023 World Cup.